Introduction to Marine Bivalves and Polychaetes

A morning on polychaetes and an afternoon on bivalves, both begin with presentations from specialists in those groups.

Teresa Darbyshire will be taking you through common British marine bristleworms that you are likely to encounter on the shore with colourful images of the animals and the features that determine the family groups. A practical session using specimens from Amgueddfa Cymru’s collections to examine some of the most common bristleworms on our shores. Using microscopes, you will look closely at the key characters and try to identify them using keys.

The afternoon session will be led by Anna Holmes, who will introduce you to marine bivalves. The presentation will include the key characters of the bivalve shell and what those characters tell you about the animal’s mode of life and how to identify closely related species. A practical session will encourage you to closely to examine the internal and external of the shells, look at the key characters and try to identify them using keys. We will also discuss formulas of characters that make up bivalve families. Handouts will be provided for both sessions.

Graduates, students, ecological consultants (anyone involved or wanting to get involved with marine surveys and recording).

A basic knowledge of different marine groups.

• Recognise the diagnostic features of marine bivalves, understand specific taxonomic terms and use them to determine specimens to family level.
• Understand where to find certain bivalves on the shore and correlate features on the shells to specific modes of life
• Recognise the diagnostic features of polychaetes, understand specific taxonomic terms and use them to determine specimens to family level
• Understand where polychaetes live on the shore and recognise signs of life in habitats
• Able to use a dichotomous key for both groups