A Review of Diopatra Ecology: Current Knowledge, Open Questions, and Future Threats for an Ecosystem Engineering Polychaete

Abstract

A well-known example of marine ecosystem engineering is the annelid genus Diopatra, which builds large tubes in coastal sediments worldwide. Early studies of Diopatra were among the first to recognize the importance of facilitation in ecology, and Diopatra has become a key marine soft-sediment application of the ecosystem engineering concept. Here, I review our current knowledge of Diopatra ecology, including its natural history, ecosystem engineering effects, and trophic relationships. I particularly explore how human activities are influencing Diopatra in terms of climate change, bait fishing, and species invasions. Most of what we know about Diopatra ecology comes from focal studies of a few species in a few well-known regions. Further evaluating how our current understanding applies to other species and/or other regions will help to refine and deepen our understanding of structure and function in marine systems.

The Fall and Rise of <em>Diopatra</em> In The Brazilian Coast

“…Although the use of Diopatra spp as bait is reported for many areas around the world [19,20,21], few publications have been done in South America, and as pointed out by Cole [22], researchers from South American countries report no evidence that polychaetes are commonly used as bait. Only two references were found in small regions of the southern coast of Brazil: in RS State where the fish were captured by sportfishermen using hookand-line of different sizes and employing different bait including Diopatra spp and some species of mollusks and crustaceans (Lewis & Fontoura 2004) and in SC State where the authors report that the replacement of hook-and-line by nets resulted in the loss of importance of Diopatra as bait [23].…”

“…Thus, observed patterns are generally not species-specific requirements. Experiments performed with D. cuprea from the type locality, in North Carolina (the "real" D. cuprea), showed a wide range of thermal tolerance surviving in warm waters up to 42.5 °C and, for specimens from the Gulf of Mexico, 40.1 °C during summer [21,38]. However, for field data of another species, D. biscayensis from Biscay Bay (western European coast) in similar latitudes and thermal conditions, the tolerance limits ranged from 16 °C to 24 °C [39].…”

“…There is still some uncertainty about the worldwide distribution of D. neapolitana [18,21] considering a more restricted Mediterranean, Atlantic Iberian and French coast distribution with all other occurrences (e.g. Southeastern Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans) as being from related similar species [48].…”

“…Diopatra neapolitana and D. marinae are sympatric in southern Brazil they are seldom syntopic (coexisting in only one or two beaches), probably because D. neapolitana appears to occupy lower-energy, muddier habitats than D. cuprea [21]. Thus, negative interactions between them seem not to be an issue, and competition for resources in soft sediments, mainly intertidal tube dwellers, is not common [52].…”

Biological aspects of Diopatra sp. (Onuphidae, Polychaeta) collected from mangrove habitats of Jeruklegi, Cilacap Regency

“…Members of this genus are characterized as having spiral branchiae, serrated limbate chaetae, and styles of palps and antennae covered with sensory papillae (Budaeva and Fauchald, 2011). These tubicolous worms occur in temperate and tropical coastal ecosystems worldwide, typically inhabiting protected intertidal and subtidal flats of muddy sand or sandy mud (Berke, 2022).…”