The geographical and vertical distribution of British Limnoria [Crustacea: Isopoda]

Abstract

There are three British species of the wood-boring isopod Limnoria. The boreal L. lignorum is found around all coasts, but is least common on the south and west coasts, where the temperate L. quadripunctata is dominant. The latter also occurs in the Isle of Man, Ireland and the Channel Isles, but has not been found on the east coast. The warm-water L. tripunctata is found only on the central south coast and in South Wales. Each species can survive at levels equivalent to 60-65 % exposure, but in mixed populations L. tripunctata dominates the upper level of Limnoria attack, L. quadripunctata dominates the middle zone and L. lignorum is found at the base of exposed piling or sublittorally.