Summary
Brief Summary
Classification
Names
Physical Description
General Body Plan
The Tentacles
Colouration
Ecology
Habitats
Crypsis
Larvae
Behaviour
Overview
Feeding
Predatory Defense Mechanisms
Survival Mechanisms
Reproduction
Reproductive Characteristics
Reproductive Strategy
Case Study
Ecological Role
Overview
Secondary Production
Sediment Processing
Biogeographic Distribution
Life History
Larval Development
Building of Sandy Tube
Early Benthic Development
Conservation and Threats
References & Links | Survival Mechanisms
Loimia medusa also has tremendous abiotic survival capabilities. It is capable of tolerating anoxia or severe hypoxia for up to five days through several behavioural and morphological adaptations (Warren, 1984). When encountered with low dissolved oxygen feeding stops, although tube irrigation continues and periodic protrusions from the tube are common (R. LLanso & R. Diaz, 1994). Under anoxia increased rest periods contribute to metabolic rate depression and L. medusa is seemingly adapted to rely on anaerobic metabolism during such events (R. LLanso & R. Diaz, 1994). The abundance of L. medusa in estuarine channels may have a strong affiliation with the species tolerance to prolonged periods of hypoxia. In the intertidal zones of which L. medusa regularly inhabits, it is constantly being put under the stress associated with hypoxia at low tide. L. medusa and several other polychaetes confront these periodic stages of oxygen shortage by developing behavioural and physiological compensations that enable them to survive until tidal inundation reoccurs. In fact L. medusa may persevere in ecosystems or environments which are affected by moderate hypoxia as along with its wide physiological tolerance, the species is capable of high fecundity and rapid growth, whilst also producing more than one litter per year (Seitz & Schaffner, 2005). |
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