Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1969

Journal

American Zoologist

Volume

9

First Page

821

Last Page

828

Abstract

The boring mechanisms of species of polydorid polychaetes are little understood due to lack of experimental evidence and direct observations. In thepresent studies the boring mechanism of adults and metamorphosing larvae of Polydora websteri was investigated by (1) inducing adults and larvae to settle against test substrates, (2) observing behavior in natural burrows and in "artificial blisters"composed of transparent "Pliobond" films surrounding Iceland spar substrates, (3)removing the giant setae of worms prior to tests of boring, (4) applying the giant setae to substrates, and by (5) testing for production of acid.All the layers of oyster shell, including conchiolin, were bored. Calcareous substrates and Iceland spar were penetrated rapidly by adults without the assistance of the giant setae. Nor were these organs essential to the boring of a larva. A characteristic type ofbehavior involving close contact with the substrate during backwards and forwards movements and periods of immobility always preceded boring. The worms produced acid, probably some common product of metabolism, which can account for these results.

DOI

doi:10.1093/icb/9.3.821

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