Vertical distribution of New Zealand shipworms (Bivalvia: Teredinidae)

Abstract

In Tauranga Harbour, Lyrodus medilobatus was found in greatest numbers on test‐blocks placed near the bottom, while Bankia australis, B. neztalia, and Nototeredo edax had a more uniform vertical distribution. Shipworms occurred in the intertidal zone up to about mean sea level. In Wellington Harbour, B. neztalia was found in test‐blocks up to mean sea level, but was most abundant in blocks near the bottom. In the Bay of Islands, shipworms settled in the intertidal on test‐blocks as high as 30 cm below mean sea level. B. australis was the most abundant species in mangrove wood in northern New Zealand, and L. medilobatus occurred occasionally. No evidence was found for shipworms settling on living mangrove wood, although they frequently tunnelled from dead wood into living wood.

Keywords:

• Teredinidae
• shipworms
• Bay of Islands
• Tauranga Harbour
• Wellington Harbour
• vertical distribution
• intertidal environment
• mangroves

Notes

Present address: Fisheries Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, P.O. Box 297, Wellington, New Zealand