Abstract
The Boreo-Mediterranean amphiurid Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Müller) occurs in high densities within Galway Bay. This burrowing species consistently shows signs of recent regeneration (of both arms and disc “cap”) at the above locality. Specimens were collected by SCUBA in March, April and May 1980, May 1981, and April 1982. Biomass assays have revealed that individuals with up to 50% (mean ca. 25%) of their entire body weight consisting of regenerated tissue are not uncommon. The occurrence of arm breakage and regrowth was found to be more frequent in the proximal (basal) and mid-arm regions than in the exposed arm tip portions. Roughly 3% of the population were found to be in the process of regenerating the disc “cap” or covering. Preliminary results from gut analyses of potential predators at the sampling station indicate that young flatfish (plaice and dab) actively “crop” the arms of A. filiformis. Records from north western Europe of this species occurring in the diets of fish and invertebrates are considered. In this long-lived species, the continual necessity to regenerate is deemed to be a major drain on bodily resources.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Bowmer, T.: Aspects of the biology and ecology of Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Müller) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea), 99 pp. Ph.D. thesis, National University of Ireland 1982a
Bowmer, T.: Reproduction in Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea): seasonality in gonad development. Mar. Biol. 69, 281–290 (1982b)
Buchanan, J. B.: A comparative study of some of the features of the biology of Amphiura filiformis and Amphiura chiajei (Ophiuroidea) considered in relation to their distribution. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 44, 565–576 (1964)
Christensen, A. M.: Feeding biology of the sea-star Astropecten irregularis Pennant. Ophelia 8, 1–134 (1970)
Dawydoff, C.: Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Regenerationserscheinungen bei den Ophiuren. Z. wiss. Zool. 69, 202–234 (1901)
De Vlas, J.: Annual food intake by plaice and flounder in a tidal flat area in the Dutch Wadden Sea, with special reference to consumption of regenerating parts of macrobenthic prey. Neth. J. Sea Res. 13, 117–153 (1979a)
De Vlas, J.: Secondary production by tail regeneration in a tidal flat population of lugworms (Arenicola marina) cropped by flatfish. Neth. J. Sea Res. 13, 362–393 (1979b)
Einarsson, H.: Echinodermata. In: The Zoology of Iceland, Vol. IV, part 70. Copenhagen and Reykjavik: Ejnar Munksgaard 1948
Feder, H. M.: Aspects of the feeding biology of the brittle-star Ophiura texturata. Ophelia 20, 215–235 (1981)
Fenchel, T.: Feeding biology of the sea-star Luidia sarsi Düben and Koren. Ophelia 2, 223–236 (1965)
Grehan, A.: Aspects of the biology and ecology of Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Müller) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea), 92 pp. B. Sc. thesis, University College, Galway, Ireland 1982
Hunt, O. D.: The food of the bottom fauna of the Plymouth fishing grouds. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 13, 560–590 (1925)
Keegan, B. F., B. O'Connor, D. McGrath and G. Könnecker: The Amphiura filiformis-Amphiura chiajei community in Galway Bay (West coast of Ireland) — a preliminary account. Thalassia jugosl. 12, 189–198 (1976)
Martin, R. B.: Aspects of the ecology and behaviour of Axiognathus squamata (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea). Tane 14, 65–81 (1968)
Massy, A. L.: Report on a survey of trawling grounds on the coasts of Counties Down, Louth, Meath and Dublin. Scient. Invest. Fish. Ire. 1911–1912, 1–225 (1912)
Milligan, H. N.: Rate of regeneration in a brittle-star. Zoologist 19, p. 119 (1915)
Morgulis, S.: Regeneration in the brittle-star Ophiocoma pumila, with reference to the influence of the nervous system. Proc. Am. Acad. Arts Sci. 44, 655–659 (1909)
Muus, K.: Density and growth of juvenile Amphiura filiformis (Ophiuroidea) in the Øresund. Ophelia 20, 153–168 (1981)
O'Connor, B. and D. McGrath: The population dynamics of Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Müller) in Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland. In: Echinoderms: present and past, pp 219–222. Ed. by M. Jangoux. Rotterdam: A. A. Balkema 1980
Peterson, C. H. and M. L. Quammen: Siphon nipping: its importance to small fishes and its impact on growth of the bivalve Protothaca staminea (Conrad). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 63, 249–268 (1982)
Salzwedel, H.: Arm Regeneration bei Amphiura filiformis (Ophiuroidea) Veröff. Inst. Meeresforsch. Bremerh. 14, 161–167 (1974)
Singletary, R. L.: The biology and ecology of Amphioplus coniortodes, Ophionephthys limicola and Micropholis gracillima (Ophiuroidea: Amphiuridae), 137 pp. Ph.D. thesis, University of Miami, Florida, USA 1970
Trevallion, A., R. R. C. Edwards and J. H. Steele: Dynamics of a benthic bivalve. In: Marine food chains, pp 285–295. Ed. by J. H. Steele, Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd 1970
Wilkie, I. C.: Arm autotomy in brittle-stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea). J. Zool., Lond. 186, 311–330 (1978)
Zeleny, C.: A study of the rate of regeneration of the arms in the brittle-star Ophioglypha lacertosa. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 6, 12–17 (1903)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bowmer, T., Keegan, B.F. Field survey of the occurrence and significance of regeneration in Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland. Mar. Biol. 74, 65–71 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394276
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394276