Citation: Howie, D.I.D. 1959 The spawning of Arenicola marina (L). 1. The breeding season. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 38: 395-406
Number of Pages: 12
Volume Part: 2
Keywords: Annelida, Biogeography, Ecology, Fauna, Littoral, Marine, Polychaeta, Population, Reproductive biology, Worm
Abstract: The relationship between environmental conditions and the on-set of the breeding season of the lugworm Arenicola marina is analysed. Lugworms were sampled at three locations, Dublin Bay (Booterstown and Seapoint) and at St. Andrews and Millport, Scotland, from 1949 to 1957. The paper suggests that a fall in temperature in the autumn months provides spawning stimulus for autumn breeding lugworms at Dublin Bay and St. Andrews. The spring breeding populations at Millport may also respond to a change in temperature in the spring.