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Aquatic Oligochaete Biology pp 331–381Cite as

The Ecology of Tubificids in the Thames Estuary with Particular Reference to Tubifex costatus (Claparède)

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Abstract

Tubifex tubifex, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex costatus, and Peloscolex benedeni were sequentially the numerically dominant tubificids along 65 km of the intertidal zone in the Thames estuary seaward of London Bridge. Laboratory experiments on their salinity tolerance, thermal tolerance, anaerobic tolerance, particle size preference and respiration assisted in explaining the location of each species in the estuary. Salinities, and to a lesser extent, dissolved oxygen levels were considered to be primary factors limiting distribution, while particle size had an effect on abundance. Population studies were carried out in a relatively polluted section of the Thames estuary. At this location the intertidal macrofauna was almost exclusively of Tubifex costatus. Population densities, which attained a mean maximum of 601.103m−2, were studied in relation to environmental factors. Spatial dispersion (aggregation and vertical distribution) and specific details of the life cycle stages of T. costatus were examined in relation to biological and physical factors. The tubificid populations were contagious and the negative bionomial distribution was applicable (k=8.046). Populations of T. costatus moved seasonally within the beach substrate and were proximal to the surface during the summer and early autumn. Evidence is presented from an examination of the growth of size classes within the population of T. costatus in association with stages in the life history, to suggest that this tubificid has a two year life cycle and that temperature influences the timing of reproduction.

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Author notes

  1. I. K. Birtwell

    Present address: Habitat Protection Division, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 1090 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2P1, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology King’s College, University of London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS, England

    I. K. Birtwell & D. R. Arthur

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  1. I. K. Birtwell
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  2. D. R. Arthur
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada

    Ralph O. Brinkhurst

  2. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    David G. Cook

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© 1980 Plenum Press, New York

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Birtwell, I.K., Arthur, D.R. (1980). The Ecology of Tubificids in the Thames Estuary with Particular Reference to Tubifex costatus (Claparède). In: Brinkhurst, R.O., Cook, D.G. (eds) Aquatic Oligochaete Biology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3048-6_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3048-6_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-3050-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-3048-6

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