BeRMS source details
Dittmann, S.; Reise, K. (1985). Assemblage of free-living Plathelminthes on an intertidal mud flat in the North Sea. Microfauna Marina. 2: 95-115.
1954
Dittmann, S.; Reise, K.
1985
Assemblage of free-living Plathelminthes on an intertidal mud flat in the North Sea
Microfauna Marina
2: 95-115
Publication
Available for editors
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A quantitative survey of the Plathelminthes living in soft mud in the intertidal zone of Konigshafen (isle of Sylt. North Sea) was conducted from November 1982 to June 1983 . Abundance was highly variable but high on the average (260 Individuals 10 . cm-2) . The number of species (49) and diversity was lower compared to adjacent sand flats . Most individuals (81 %) feed on diatoms. and average body size is small (90 % were < 1 mm in length) .
Pogaina suecica was abundant throughout the study period, while other species fluctuated strongly. Microstomum papilloszim showed a mass development in February and M. bioct~latumin May. Both species reproduce by paratomy. The rapidly reproducing Acoela Archaphanostoma agile and Philactinoposthia saliens were other abundant diatom-feeders. Abundant predators were Proxenetes quinquespinosus, P. quadrispinosus and Promesostoma gracilis. It is suggested that the high variability in the plathelminth assemblage of the mud flat is caused by fluctuations in the major food source (diatoms), and by the lack of refuges below the mud surface.
North Sea (and Channel)
Ecology
Fauna and Flora, Faunistic inventories, Checklists, Catalogues
Fauna and Flora, Faunistic inventories, Checklists, Catalogues
North Sea for Archimonotresis limophila Meixner, 1938
North Sea for Bresslauilla relicta Reisinger, 1929
North Sea for Macrostomum pusillum Ax, 1951
North Sea for Phonorhynchus helgolandicus (Mecznikow, 1865) Graff, 1905
North Sea for Placorhynchus octaculeatus Karling, 1931
North Sea for Promesostoma caligulatum Ax, 1952
North Sea for Promesostoma marmoratum (Schultze, 1851) Graff, 1882
North Sea for Promonotus schultzei Meixner, 1943
North Sea for Provortex tubiferus Luther, 1948
North Sea for Proxenetes ampullatus Ax, 1971
North Sea for Psittacorhynchus verweyi Den Hartog, 1968
North Sea for Ptychopera westbladi (Luther, 1943) Den Hartog, 1964
North Sea for Scanorhynchus forcipatus Karling, 1955
North Sea for Bresslauilla relicta Reisinger, 1929
North Sea for Macrostomum pusillum Ax, 1951
North Sea for Phonorhynchus helgolandicus (Mecznikow, 1865) Graff, 1905
North Sea for Placorhynchus octaculeatus Karling, 1931
North Sea for Promesostoma caligulatum Ax, 1952
North Sea for Promesostoma marmoratum (Schultze, 1851) Graff, 1882
North Sea for Promonotus schultzei Meixner, 1943
North Sea for Provortex tubiferus Luther, 1948
North Sea for Proxenetes ampullatus Ax, 1971
North Sea for Psittacorhynchus verweyi Den Hartog, 1968
North Sea for Ptychopera westbladi (Luther, 1943) Den Hartog, 1964
North Sea for Scanorhynchus forcipatus Karling, 1955