Factors influencing the distribution of nereid polychaetes: the sulfide aspect

Abstract

A study of the spatial distribution of Nereis virens, N. diversicolor and N. succinea was conducted in Danish estuarine waters. Results from Kerteminde Fjord/Kertinge Nor and Norsminde Fjord suggested that pore water sulfide (HS-) acts on the distribution of these species. N. virens was confined to low-sulfidic areas (<50 μM) while N. succinea was found in high-sulfidic sediments (from 50-2000 μM). N. diversicolor showed a broader distribution with respect to pore water sulfide. Experiments indicated that all species preferred non-sulfidic sediments in allopatry, whereas N. diversicolor was excluded from the non-sulfidic compartment of tanks in sympatry with each of the other species. Mortality rates indicated that N. virens was the least sulfide-tolerate species whereas the other species showed some sort of adaptation with respect to pore water sulfide. Interspecific competition is an important determinant of nereid distribution patterns, particularly for populations of N. diversicolor. N. succinea is apparently closely associated with mussel beds. -from Authors