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The study aims to provide the first detailed account of the diversity and composition of the community associated with biogenic reefs formed by serpulid worms. Ten reefs (aggregations of calcareous Serpula vermicularis tubes), spanning a broad size-range, were collected from Loch Creran, Scotland, a Special Area of Conservation designated principally for the protection of its biogenic reefs. Total faunal abundance was strongly linearly related to reef weight, whilst taxon richness exhibited a hyperbolic relationship with reef size. 278 taxa were recorded from the ten reefs, with a reef of 0.1 m2 area supporting 163 taxa and 12756 individuals, which appears to represent considerable augmentation of diversity and abundance for sedimentary areas of the loch where the reefs occur. The reef assemblage was dominated by polychaetes (94 taxa), molluscs (70 taxa) and crustaceans (45 taxa). Species composition varied with reef size, although reefs greater than 25 cm width exhibited relatively little variation. In comparison with other biogenic polychaete habitats, S. vermicularis reefs appear to support a highly diverse community, which exhibits a high degree of similarity with that found in association with aggregations of the horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus. The presence of the Connemara clingfish, Lepadogaster candollei, rarely recorded at such a northerly latitude, on several reefs, indicates that the reef habitat may provide a stronghold for this species at the edge of its biogeographical range. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article explores the investigations into mapping of the biogenic reefs produced by the polychaete worm for conservation management in Loch Creran, Scotland. Reef distribution throughout the area was surveyed using a diver transect technique and indicated to be restricted to a peripheral band. The mean lower limit is claimed to decline with distance from the mouth of the loch. The areal extent of the reef band was roughly 108 hectare, showing Loch Creran to shield the most extensive development of Serpula vermicularis.

Focuses on the patchiness and fragility of serpulid reefs that present difficulties for the measurement of reef coverage for mapping and monitoring studies. How video transect measures of cover are assessed in terms of accuracy and sensitivity; How still photography was capable of providing an accurate means for the measurement of the seabed coverage by individual reefs; Comparison of video and still photographic measurement of reef cover; Data indicating that the use of video transects offers great potential in monitoring and mapping studies.