Lugworm Area  

The lugworm area as seen looking  northeast toward the top of the bay.	Coiled fecal castings from the lugworm are common in this area.

 
This area consisted of a mud and sand layer over a layer of rocks of 2-5 cm diameter.  This area was the least taxonomically diverse.  The dominant species in this area was the lugworm, Abarenicolidae.  Overall, we found four families of polychaetes, one echinoderm species, two mollusc classes and one crustacean family.  Perhaps the low diversity was due to the fact that this area is exposed for the longest time during the tidal cycle.  The fine particle size and lack of algal cover may also contribute to the limited diversity.  The fine particle size is likely a result of less water flow through the substrate, which could limit the types of polychaetes that feed in this area.
 
Click here to get an overview of taxonomic diversity of this habitat as compared to the other three.
Click here to learn about the abundance of organisms or to get a description of organisms found in this habitat.
Go here to learn more about protection, reproduction, feeding, and locomotion of these organisms.