Question

What would be the best dredging/trawling tools to collect macrofaunal priapulids?

Answer 1

I've been searching for the best way of collecting macrofaunal priapulids and would like advice on sampling methods and particularly sampling tools. Since large priapulids are usually found in low densities any form of grab-sampler would probably be inefficient and a dredge/trawl would be preferred. Any ideas on what tool(s) would sample at the right depth and filter efficiently?

Answer 2

They live in the mud, don't they? I'm no expert, but I'd think the best way to collect them would just be to send a diver down who's good at spotting them. Dredging/trawling for a low-density mud-dwelling animal would be pretty catastrophic for everything else living down there.

Answer 3

They do indeed live in mud, often in cold, deep and turbid water where sending a diver would be even less practical when combined with their low abundance and their habit of burrowing inside the mud. On the bright side mud being mud it settles again quickly without leaving lasting damage. I'm looking for a scientific sampling trawl not a fishing trawl so the area affected will be very small and the "bycatch" will mostly survive until being dumped back in.

Answer 4

Fair enough. I wish I could help you, but I really don't know much about this sort of thing.

Answer 5

No worries, thanks for trying.