Water movement — a dominant factor in interstitial ecology

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Abstract
Some ways in which water movement may effect marine interstitial fauna are reviewed. Results from field and laboratory experiments on interstitial animals from N. Ireland are presented. Vertical migration in response to tidal changes was found to be widespread. Slight positive rheotaxis has been demonstrated in Turbanella hyalina. The majority of the fauna responds by downward migration when sand is disturbed by turbulence in the overlying water. Turbanella however is often displaced from the substrate by wave action. The morphology of many interstitial animals is adapted to life in a habitat which is liable to disturbance by water movement. This is illustrated with particular reference to the Gastrotricha. The fine structure of the epidermis of Turbanella is briefly described. The structure of the outermost layer and of the adhesive tubules is discussed in relationship to life in an unstable substrate.