Factors Affecting Burrow Architecture of the Polychaete Perinereis Aibuhitensis

Abstract

Bioturbation of infauna plays an important role in the biogeochemical processing of sediments. Infaunal animals build burrows and enlarge the sediment-water interface by their activities and so bioturbation is closely related with burrow structure and animal behavior in the sediment. The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of Perinereis aibuhitensis burrow structures with the factors of months and animal sizes (0-1g, 1-2g, 2-3g, 3-4g, and >4g), which would also provide useful knowledge of infauna behavioral ecology. The dimension and complexity of the burrows of P. aibuhitensis were measured by dissecting sediments. The results showed that there were three burrow shapes of P. aibuhitensis, i.e., I, Y and U shapes. Overall, the order of abundance of each of the three burrow shapes were I > Y > U. Larger P. aibuhitensis are inclined to build Y- and U-shaped burrows in June and August. There were significant differences in the tunnel diameter, burrow depth and burrow length separately between different polychaete size classes (P< 0.001). In February and August, the burrow depths and burrow lengths of P. aibuhitensis individuals with body weights of 1-2 g and 2-3 g were significantly greater than in other months (P< 0.001). P. aibuhitensis individuals of 1-2 g and 3-4 g body weight had significantly more burrow openings and branches in August than in February (P< 0.001). Within the same month, the burrow HEindex increased with increasing polychaete size, and when the sizes were 1-2 g, 2-3 g and 3-4 g, the complexity in August was higher than that in other months. This study suggests that I-shaped burrow dominants the burrow architecture of P. aibuhitensis. The polychaete with large size has a higher HEindex (burrow complexity) indicating a strong bioturbation ability. Y-shaped burrows are more conducive to the survival of P. aibuhitensis in hot weather. In order to adapt to environmental stresses outside, P. aibuhitensis usually builds deeper burrows.

The Relationship between Burrow Opening Dimensions and Biomass of Intertidal Macroinvertebrates by Feeding Mode (Surface Deposit Feeders vs. Suspension Feeders)

“…Burrow structures vary greatly in size and shape. Burrow morphology and dimension are generally represented by the feeding mode, activity level, body form and size of the macroinvertebrate inhabitant [ 6 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], and its surrounding environment [ 15 , 16 ]. A relationship between burrow depth and diameter reflects the size of the organisms since burrow diameters are usually closely related to the inhabitant’s width [ 17 ].…”