Habitat Conditions and Distribution Pattern of the Gutless Oligochaete Phallodrilus leukodermatus

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Abstract
Analysis of pore water and sediment for a number of physical and chemical parameters in carbonate sand cores from Bermuda, populated by the gutless oligochaete P. leukodermatus, revealed that the worms are well supplied with dissolved nutrients originating primarily from intensive (bacterial) degradation of algal debris. On average, free amino acids ranged from 30-8 .mu.M dm-3 pore water; total carbohydrates, from 4000-7000 .mu.g dm-3; and dissolved organic C from .apprx. 20-30 .mu.g dm-3. The sediments at or below the redox discontinuity layer, which usually contained the highest concentrations, harbored the richest populations of the tubificids (maximum densities .apprx. 85,000 individuals m-2). This distribution pattern of gutless worms in relation to their ambient interstitial environment infers that these animals, which always associate with subcuticular bacteria, live preferably in oligoxic or anoxic sediments, rich in nutrients and hydrogen sulfide. Such adaptation compares well with that of other gutless animals recently investigated.

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