Accrescimento di esemplari del verme di fuoco Hermodice carunculata (Annelida) in condizioni di laboratorio

Laboratory feeding and growth of the bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata. The bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata is a generalist predator and saprophagous polychaete that may cause ecological and economic damage to Mediterranean rocky coastal environments. Small-sized specimens of H. carunculata, belonging to a model population from Salento (Apulia, southern Italy), were maintained in the laboratory and fed ad libitum with unfrozen cod for over ten months to provide useful information on the study of fireworm population dynamics. These specimens reached and overcame the typical mean size of wild specimens after 7-9 months. This finding suggests that the species could be relatively long-lived: it has been estimated that the lifespan of the biggest individuals could reach 3 years. All the specimens survived and grew, but none reached sexual maturity. In addition, the animals lost their initial bright coloration. These results support the need for further improving laboratory diet and maintenance conditions to pursue long-term studies on fireworm biology.