Tough, armed and omnivorous:Hermodice carunculata(Annelida: Amphinomidae) is prepared for ecological challenges

Abstract

The bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata, is a common species in the marine annelid taxon Amphinomidae. It has a widespread distribution throughout the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Red Seas. We review its environmental tolerances, defence mechanisms and feeding habits to evaluate its potential to survive in changing ocean conditions, to increasingly emerge as a nuisance species and to invade new geographic areas. Hermodice carunculata tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions, including temperature, salinity, oxygen saturation and various types of pollution. It has few natural predators because it is protected by its sharp chaetae and probably by toxins. Hermodice carunculata is best known for consuming live cnidarians, and has been implicated in transmitting coral pathogens, but it also feeds non-selectively on detritus. In the short term, we predict that H. carunculata will be able to withstand many future ecological challenges and possibly contribute to coral reef decline. In the long term, ocean acidification may negatively impact its defence mechanisms and survival. Its invasive potential may be significant. We highlight the gaps in our knowledge about the reproduction and development of this species, the nature and origin of its toxins and role of microbes in their feeding behaviour and defensive strategies.

New Evidence of Marine Fauna Tropicalization off the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula (Southwest Europe)

“…Nevertheless, the genus Hermodice is presumed to be able to reproduce both sexually through the release of planktonic gametes and asexually, although this has never been demonstrated [43]. The long-lived planktotrophic larval phase increases the species potential to colonize new habitats [44]. We would like to emphasize that H. carunculata is considered the valid nomenclature and that Hermodice nigrolineata is considered a synonym [43], though this is controversial (Godfried Van Moorsel, Joachim Langeneck, Peter Wirtz, personal communications).…”

New Evidence of Marine Fauna Tropicalization off the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula

“…Nevertheless, the genus Hermodice is presumed to be able to reproduce both asexually and sexually, through the release of planktonic gametes [42]. The lack of knowledge about the reproduction of H. carunculata is also recognized, however it is likely that the species has a long-lived planktotrophic larval phase which increases its potential to colonize new habitats [43].…”

Unusual “Knob-Like Chimney” Growth Forms on Acropora Species in the Caribbean

“…H. carunculata is an opportunistic species that can regenerate asexually (Ott and Lewis, 1972). This corallivore has a high adaptability and may be a threat to the already stressed corals (Wolf et al, 2014;Schulze et al, 2017). Nevertheless, it is highly unlikely that fireworm predation occurs across all knobs.…”