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Spio aequalis

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Species of annelid worm
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Spio aequalis
Conservation status

Nationally Endangered (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Clade: Sedentaria
Order: Spionida
Family: Spionidae
Genus: Spio
Species: S. aequalis
Binomial name
Spio aequalis
Ehlers, 1904

Spio aequalis is a species of polychaete worm from New Zealand.

Little is known about the species, which is classified as nationally endangered.

History

Spio aequalis was first collected by Hugo Schauinsland in 1897 and named by Ernst Ehlers in 1904. It is not known exactly where the original specimen was collected but it was thought to be from near Waitangi on the Chatham Islands.

Two years later, in November 1899, William Benham collected at least one specimen at Moeraki in North Otago. He later recognised it as the same species described by Ehlers.

In 1949, several large specimens were collected by George Knox at Squally Bay on Bank Peninsula. However, this record was unpublished.

Nearly 60 years later, Geoff Read found a living specimen on Banks Peninsula in 2008. This was followed by a further observation in December 2016 in the Wellington region and in June/July 2016 at Henderson Bay on the Aupouri Peninsula.

Habitat

The species is thought to live on exposed coasts, perhaps under stones for protection.

Description

S. aequalis is one of the largest known species of spionid. Specimens measure between 5.5–15 centimetres (2.2–5.9 in) in length and 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in) wide.

Behaviour & diet

Spio aequalis is likely to be a surface deposit-feeder and may burrow in sediment.

References

  1. Funnell, Greig; et al. (January 2023). Todd, Amanda (ed.). Conservation status of indigenous marine invertebrates in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021 (PDF) (Report). New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-99-118365-1. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  2. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Spio aequalis Ehlers, 1904". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  3. Freeman, D. J.; Marshall, B. A.; Ahyong, S. T.; Wing, S. R.; Hitchmough, R. A. (2010-09-01). "Conservation status of New Zealand marine invertebrates, 2009". New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 44 (3): 129–148. doi:10.1080/00288330.2010.495373. ISSN 0028-8330. S2CID 85071841.
  4. ^ "Spio aequalis is missing". www.annelida.net. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  5. "Rediscovery of Spio Aequalis after Missing for Over 50 Years". iNaturalist.org. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  6. "Spio aequalis". iNaturalist.org. December 2016. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  7. "Spio aequalis". iNaturalist.org. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  8. "Spio aequalis". iNaturalist.org. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  9. ^ Blake, James A (14 June 1984). "Four new species of Spionidae (Polychaeta) from New Zealand, with comments on a syntype of Spio aequalis Ehlers from Chatham Island". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 97 (1): 148–159.
Taxon identifiers
Spio aequalis
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