Current status
The lagoon sandworm Armandia cirrhosa is a small polychaete, for which little biological information exists. The species is reported to prefer gravelly sediment although it is also found in muddy/sandy sediments in the UK, in salinities close to seawater.
The species has been recorded from only three UK sites which represent the most northerly records of the species in Europe. It was originally known only from Eight Acre Pond, Hampshire where it was found in 1984 and again in large numbers in 1985. It was last recorded in 1990. Despite repeated surveys (1991, 1993, 1996 and 1997) it has not been found there again. However, in 1994 it was found at two adjacent sites in Dorset, Small Mouth Spit, Portland Harbour and East Fleet Sandbank, Fleet Lagoon, but in very small numbers. The species was again identified at these two sites in the 1995 survey, but still in very low numbers.
Elsewhere in Europe this species is recorded from the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Madeira and the eastern Atlantic coasts.
The lagoon sandworm is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The species was listed as Insufficiently known but possibly Endangered in the British Red Data Book. It is classified as a nationally rare benthic marine species.
Current factors causing loss or decline
See the saline lagoons action plan and associated species annex.
The decline at Eight Acre Pond may be associated with changes in salinity and/or inappropriate drainage.
Current action
The sites at Eight Acre Pond and inside the Fleet are both SSSIs and part of SACs whilst the other site lies adjacent to the Portland Harbour Shore SSSI.
The species is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme.
Objectives for this species
Maintain, and where appropriate enhance, existing populations and, where appropriate, restore populations at former sites.
4.2 Maintain the range and number of sites including, where appropriate, through introduction to adjacent localities where existing localities become unsuitable.
Proposed action
The requirements of the species should be considered in the implementation of the
saline lagoons action plan and associated species annex.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume V: Maritime species and habitats (October 1999, Tranche 2, Vol V, p170)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species