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International Summer Water Resources Research School Dept. of Water Resources Engineering, Lund University Ecological Function of Polychaete Animals in Xiamen Intertidal Zone and Mangrove Areas By Ida Arvidsson 2014 Ecological Function of Polychaete Animals in Xiamen Intertidal Zone Lingfeng SRS 2014 Abstract Polychaeta is a class of annelid worms and is one of the most abundant groups of benthic animals in marine environments. Since polychaetes are a crucial, basic part of marine food webs, their ecological function and contribution to marine ecosystems are of significant importance for the ecosystem services from these environments, e.g. the fishing industry. This study investigates the abundance and ecological function of polychaetes in different ecosystems. Sampling locations are the intertidal area of Huangcuo (sandy beach and rocky shore), Xiatanwei mangrove plantation and the inner lake of Yundang Lagoon, in or close to Xiamen, Fujian province. A total of 20 species of polychaetes were found, with a great majority found in the Xiatanwei mangrove area. By studying the head structure of the polychaetes in the samples, the food type of each species can be predicted. From the food types of all present polychaetes, the polychaetes contribution to the food web of the sampling location can be estimated. The small number of species found at some of the sampling locations together with too little information about the food webs make it hard to draw any conclusions about the significance of polychaetes at the studied locations. Keywords: Polychaetes, Ecological Function, Intertidal zone, Mangrove, Xiamen Student sponsored by: Ida Arvidsson 20142014-08-28 2 Ecological Function of Polychaete Animals in Xiamen Intertidal Zone Lingfeng SRS 2014 Table of Contents 1 Preface ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 About the course VVRF05 and the Lingfeng Summer Research School ....................... 4 1.2 Author’s Reflection ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... 4 2 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Problem Description ..................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 5 3 Theory ................................................................................................................................ 6 3.1 Polychaetes .................................................................................................................. 6 3.2 Sampling Locations ...................................................................................................... 9 4 Method ............................................................................................................................. 11 4.1 Intertidal Zone ............................................................................................................ 11 4.2 Mangrove Areas ......................................................................................................... 12 4.3 Food Types and Ecological Function .......................................................................... 13 5 Results .............................................................................................................................. 14 5.1 Intertidal zone ............................................................................................................ 14 5.2 Mangrove Areas ......................................................................................................... 15 5.3 Ecological Function .................................................................................................... 15 6 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 18 7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 19 8 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................... 20 Ida Arvidsson 20142014-08-28 3 Ecological Function of Polychaete Animals in Xiamen Intertidal Zone Lingfeng SRS 2014 1 Preface 1.1 About the course VVRF05 and the Lingfeng Summer Research School This report is written as part of the course International Summer Water Resources Research School at Lund University (course code VVRF05) with the following aim: The aim is that the students should gain proficiency to work in a cross-cultural group in a foreign environment and get deepened knowledge about environment and water related issues within the framework of a minor research project. (Zhang) Students in the course participate in the Lingfeng Summer Research School which take place at the College of the Environment & Ecology at Xiamen University. The summer school is cooperation between Lund University (Sweden) and Xiamen University (China) and between 23rd of June and 18th of July 2014 the 8th summer school took place. 8 students from Lund participated 2014 and we all worked on different projects together with one or two Chinese undergraduate students studying environmental science. 1.2 Author’s Reflection To participate in the Lingfeng Summer Research School has been an interesting and important experience for me. I have had the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and to get to know at least a part of China and Chinese culture. To work in the benthic lab has been enjoyable and I have felt very welcome in the group. I can really recommend other students to participate in the course. 1.3 Acknowledgements I wish to thank: Professor Cai Li-Zhe, postgraduates and master students in the marine benthic lab in the College of the Environment & Ecology at Xiamen University for making me feel welcome and for everything you have taught me. Associate professor Linus Zhang and the staff at the international office at Lund University and Xiamen University for the possibility of this exchange. Thyrens, Sweco Environment in Malmoe and Sveriges Ingenjörers Miljöfond for valuable financial support. I hope for further cooperation. Last but not at all least I wish to thank my project partners Liu Meichen and Wan Pengfei for your patience and care about me. I look forward to meet you again and to help you getting along when you come to Lund next spring. Ida Arvidsson 20142014-08-28 4 Ecological Function of Polychaete Animals in Xiamen Intertidal Zone Lingfeng SRS 2014 2 Introduction 2.1 Problem Description Polychaetes are among the most abundant groups of benthic animals in marine environments. Their ecological function and contribution to marine ecosystems are thereby of significant importance for the ecosystem services from these environments. Polychaetes are a crucial part of many marine food webs and thus research on this large class of animals is of great importance. Most species of polychaetes belong to the macrofauna together with animals from classes or subphylum like e.g. Bivalvia, Gastropoda and Crustacea. This study investigates the abundance and function of polychaetes in different ecosystems. 2.2 Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the ecological function of polychaeta by determining the species composition, the spatial distribution and the feeding habits of polychaete animals at some intertidal marine locations (rocky shores, sandy beaches and mangrove) in the area of Xiamen in south-eastern China. From this result we hope to be able to draw some conclusions about the ecological function of polychaetes in these environments. Ida Arvidsson 20142014-08-28 5 Ecological Function of Polychaete Animals in Xiamen Intertidal Zone Lingfeng SRS 2014 3 Theory 3.1 Polychaetes Polychaeta is a class within the phylum of annelida. They normally belong to the macrofauna in benthic environments since most polychaete species will not go through a 0.45 mm net. The animals’ body consists of segments and for most species, each segment has a pair of parapodia with bristles on it, hence the Latin name Polychaeta which means many bristles. There are now more than 10 000 species in the class of Polychaeta around the world living mainly in marine waters (Franzén, 2014). The class is very diverse with sizes ranging from about 1 mm to as long as 3 m. Most species are benthic but pelagic species occur as well (Fauchald & Rouse, Polychaete systematics: Past and present, 1997). Polychaetes can be found in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents and at very large depths. Terrestrial species occur (Glasby & Fauchald, 2007). Most polychaetes have separate sexes and the females’ eggs and the males’ sperm are usually emitted to the sea water. Fertilized eggs are developed to larvae (trochophores) feeding on plankton before they evolve to worms at the sea bottom (Franzén, 2014). Other types of reproduction occur as well. 3.1.1 Basic Morphology Polychaetes are segmented worms and can be said to consist of three basic units: The presegmental region, the segmented trunk and the postsegmental region called pygidium (Rouse & Pleijel, 2001). Figure 2.1 shows the general appearance of polychaete