ISSN:
1432-1793
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Diopatra cuprea (Bosc) builds a long, nearly vertical parchment tube in sediments, which is reinforced with bits of shell, sediment or debris. The tube can be divided on the basis of structure into reinforced sections built at or above the sediment surface, and unreinforced sections built below the sediment surface. If sediment accumulates faster than the worm can build reinforced tube, an unreinforced section results. When this occurs, D. cuprea builds reinforced tube at the new sediment surface, and then pulls it down into the substratum until it joins the next lower reinforced section, or until the worm can no longer overcome sediment resistance. In the latter case, the unreinforced section occurs between two reinforced sections. The tube cap is trimmed as sediment is eroded from around it. Selection for reinforcing materials occurs only in the transitional zone from unreinforced to reinforced tube. The exposed portion of the tube (the tube cap) extends from 1 to 6 cm above the sediment surface as an inverted “J”. The tube mouth is oriented perpendicularly to the direction of current flow. Tube maintenance continues at temperatures below feeding-response blockage (5° to 10°C), but ceases below about 1.8°C.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00366746
Permalink