Rates of Seasonal Sediment Reworking in Axiothella rubrocincta (Polychaeta: Maldanidae)
Kudenow JD. 1982. Rates of Seasonal Sediment Reworking in Axiothella rubrocincta (Polychaeta: Maldanidae). Marine Biology. 70(2):181-186
Sediment reworking rates of A. rubrocincta were measured in situ in Tomales Bay, California (USA), from August, 1969 through July, 1970. On the average, each adult worm (approximate fresh weight = 1 g) reworks about 5 g dry sediment d super(-1) at a mean temperature of 13.4 degree C and a mean salinity of 31.8 ppt. Reworking rates are positively correleated with temperature and salinity, and negatively with sediment organic carbon, sedimentation rates and grain size. An inverse correlation exists between sediment reworking rates (g dry sediment g super(-1) wet wt of worm d super(-1)) and g wet weight of worm. Sediment parameters describing unworked sediments are not significantly different from those for fecal sediments. Although these data suggest this species to be a "non-selective" deposit-feeder, it is more likely that it is faculatively selective.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Kudenow, J
- Units
- PORE
- Keywords
- Axiothella rubrocincta, bioturbation, California, Environmental Regime Marine, Feeding Habits, INE, Nutrition, organic carbon, Salinity effects, Seasonality, Sediment texture, Sedimentation, temperature effects, Tomales Bay ER, USA