Distribution of Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in the southwestern Baltic Sea in 1993/94 - ten years after introduction
Kube, J.; Zettler, M.L.; Gosselck, F.; Ossig, S.; Powilleit, M. (1996). Distribution of Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in the southwestern Baltic Sea in 1993/94 - ten years after introduction. Sarsia 81: 131-142
In: Sarsia. University of Bergen. Universitetsforlaget: Bergen. ISSN 0036-4827; e-ISSN 1503-1128, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Kube, J.
- Zettler, M.L., more
- Gosselck, F.
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| Abstract |
Marenzelleria viridis (Verrill, 1873), a North American spionid polychaete, was first recorded in brackish water ecosystems of the Wadden Sea and Baltic Sea in the early 1980s. It has spread rapidly and is now a dominant element of the macrozoobenthos in meso- and oligohaline estuaries and coastal lagoons. The distribution and abundance of this polychaete was studied in the southwestern part of the Baltic Sea in 1993/94 in relation to environmental factors. All available macrozoobenthos samples from German Baltic waters were used to construct a general distribution map. Highest abundances and biomasses were found in semi-enclosed lagoons (39 000 ind. m -2 and 70 g ash free dry weight m -2 ). The western horizontal distribution border and the vertical distribution range were following the 15 ‰ isohaline. Neither a horizontal nor a vertical limit was found to the east. Dense settlement was restricted to sediments with an organic content of less than 5 % and a silt content of less than 10 %. Simultaneous population studies were carried out in the Oder Estuary and the Darss-Zingst Bodden from April 1993 to April 1994. Three different age groups were identified throughout the year. Settlement of larvae took place in autumn. Successful larval settlement was restricted to areas with a salinity above 5 ‰ and a winter phytoplankton concentration above 5 g Chl a m -3 . Benthic stages were found to be highly motile. Adults occurred up to 50 km away from recruitment areas. Potentially important causes of dispersal processes are discussed. |
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