Lagoon sandworm (Armandia cirrhosa) |Size||Length: 3-7 mm (1)|
Classified as 'Insufficiently Known' but 'Possibly Endangered'
in the British Red Data Book. Fully protected under Schedule 5
of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (2) and a UK
Biodiversity Action Plan priority species (3). This rare, small
worm is ribbon-like in appearance, and has three eyes on its
head. The body comprises of 26 or 27 segments, each of which
bear bristles known as chaetae (1). The name of this group of
worms, polychaetes, means 'many bristles'. This worm was
discovered in Eight Acre Pond in Lymington, South Hampshire, in
1984. A large population was still present at this site in 1985
and the species remained in 1990. However, despite repeated
surveys for this worm it has not been found since in this pond
(3). In 1994 it was discovered nearby in Dorset, at Small Mouth
Spit (Portland Harbour), and East Fleet Sandbank, but in very
low numbers in both places (3). Outside of Great Britain it has
been found in the Mediterranean reg