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The presence of these P. elegans patches offer an ideal opportunity to investigate the
micro-scale spatial patterns of a tube-building spionid polychaete. Firstly, the
densities of P. elegans have been found to be high within these small-scale patches
(Chapter 2), increasing the opportunity for biotic interactions. Secondly, since the
sediments are relatively stabilised (Chapter 8) they are more likely to be homogeneous
than in non-patch areas which facilitates an investigation into the biotic processes
giving rise to spatial patterns. Finally, the population structure and reproductive
strategy adopted by this population has been documented (Chapter 3).
Specifically, two main questions were addressed by an investigation of the micro-
scale spatial distributions of P. elegans within the high density patches found on
Drum Sands. These were:
(1) what is the micro-scale spatial distribution of dense populations of tube-building
spionids and what does it suggest about intraspecific interactions?;
(2) what are the roles of larval recruitment, interspecific interactions and abiotic
variables in determining micro-scale spatial patterns?.
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