Flat Oyster shells with Polydora ciliata burrows

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P1160683aBlog1 Detail of burrows made by the marine polychaete worm Polydora ciliata in a Flat Oyster shell from Whiteford Sands, Gower, South Wales (1) 

Much of the damage sustained by Flat Oyster shells (Ostrea edulis Linnaeus) in life or after, in recent or archaeological specimens, is the result of infestation by worms. Mudtube-dwelling marine polychaete worms such as Polydora ciliata (Johnston) are adept at utilising the nooks and crannies in shells, as well as in rocks and encrusting calcareous algae, for shelter.

The Polydora worms belong to the Family Spionidae which is part of the Class Polychaeta – the Bristleworms. All the species in this group make a u-shaped tube from small particles – usually of mud. The worm insinuates itself and its tube into small crevices in such a way that the two open ends of the u-shape tube open outwards to the seawater. In life, the worm sticks out two long palps which it agitates enthusiastically.

Acidic metabolic by-products from the worm gradually dissolve the shell or stone in which the worm is sheltering. In time this process etches a u-shaped burrow in the hard substrate. These small burrows can be found anywhere over the external surface of the living oyster shell. The presence of the worms and their tunnels does not usually affect the health of the oyster but they can disfigure the shell. In trade terms this means that the oyster cannot be served in its shell in restaurants.

There is a lot more to say on the subject of worm tubes and oysters but I’ll leave that to another day.

P1160682aBlog2 Close-up left valve external surface of a Flat Oyster shell showing damage by the marine worm Polydora ciliata, from the beach at Whiteford Sands, Gower, South Wales (2) 

P1160753aBlog3 View of the entire left valve external surface of a burial-stained Flat Oyster shell with Polydora ciliata borings - from the shore at Whiteford Sands, Gower, South Wales (3)

P1140002aBlog4 Large, thick, old, and stained Flat Oyster shell with moderate marine worm damage - as first seen on Whiteford Sands, Gower, South Wales (4)

P1130999Blog5 Flat Oyster shell (Ostrea edulis L.) in context with a scatter of cockle and mussel shells on the sand at Whiteford, Gower, South Wales (5)

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5 Replies to “Flat Oyster shells with Polydora ciliata burrows”

  1. Jessica, you can learn so much by reading your blogs! Like flandrumhill, you seem to know an awful lot about nature. Are you a biologist or anything? Very interesting viewing the patterns and colours. And love the blue shells on your beach. Do you really have blue shells or did the camera fib a little? They are awesome.

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  2. Thanks, Kathy. Yes, I have worked as a biologist in various fields. One interest has been the role of marine molluscs in the diets and economies of people in the past. Hence the love of seashores and seashells in particular. However, I have always delighted in all aspects of natural history – and I am now pleased to have an opportunity to share some of that enthusiasm and information.

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  3. Pingback: Pebbles with holes made by tube worms « Jessica’s Nature Blog
  4. Pingback: Empty Flat Oyster shells on the beach (1) « Jessica’s Nature Blog
  5. Pingback: Posts about OYSTER SHELL VARIATIONS | Oysters etc.

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