Small Surface-Burrowing Fauna (Biotic Group)

Component: Biotic

Unique Identifier: 522

Biotic Setting	Benthic/Attached Biota
Biotic Class	Faunal Bed
Biotic Subclass	Soft Sediment Fauna
Biotic Group	Small Surface-Burrowing Fauna
Biotic Community	Capitellid Bed Leptocheirus Bed Lumbrinerid Bed Oligochaete Bed Nematode Bed Harpacticoid Bed Turbellarian Bed

Description

Definition

Areas dominated by small, burrowing, often worm-like fauna with a body width usually < 2 millimeters; animals are typically found within 5 centimeters of the sediment-water interface. Common fauna include oligochetes, polychaetes, sipunculids, flatworms, nematodes, priapulids, small enteropneusts (acorn worms), and other phyla. Burrowing fauna other than worms may also be characteristic (e.g., small, surface-burrowing amphipods, mysids, copepods, or isopods). In many areas, surface fauna will be abundant, but individual animals generally associated with this group will be found living deeper than 5 centimeters; these areas are still classified as Small Surface-Burrowing Fauna.