Serpula Linnaeus 1758

Danmarks Akvarium

Seed scallops, with a small amount of white worm tube (Serpula) attached to the shell. These scallkops have not yet spawned, and, for the future welfare of the scallop fishery, should be protected until they have passed the spawning period, which occurs when the scallop is one year old. The capture of these immature scallops is a decided menace to the fishery, and is forbidden by law.

Figure 1.A–D Serpula madrigalae sp. n., from Turks and Caicos Islands, USNM 1157006, holotype A–B operculum in lateral and aboral views C–D tube in dorsal and frontal views E–F Serpula cf. vermicularis, from Nigeria, UMML 22.545 E–F operculum in lateral and aboral views.

These skittish little worms will instantaneously retract their gill plumes into a calcareous tube following a shadow or other disturbance. The funnel-shaped operculum then blocks the tube's entrance. Gill plumes about 10 mm. Depth 10m.

Danmarks Akvarium

Figure 2.A–G Serpula madrigalae sp. n., from Turks and Caicos, USNM 1157006, holotype A–B tube and detail C entire body D–E operculum, in aboral and lateral views F bayonet chaetae G hooded (capillary) chaetae H–J Serpula cf. vermicularis, from Nigeria, UMML 22.545 H–I two distinct opercula in lateral and aboral views J bayonet chaetae.

Figure 5.Exploratory analysis of the number of opercular radii and body length ratio: Serpula madrigalae sp. n. (n= 1, only for reference), Serpula vossae sp. n. (n= 7), and Serpula cf. vermicularis (n= 4).

Figure 6.Distribution of Serpula madrigalae sp. n., Serpula vossae sp. n., and Serpula cf. vermicularis.

Figure 3.A–D Serpula vossae sp. n., from Honduras, USNM 1157004, holotype A–B operculum in lateral and aboral views; from Bahamas, UMML 22.435 C–D operculum in lateral and aboral views.

Figure 4.A–J Serpula vossae sp. n., from Honduras, USNM 1157004, holotype A tube B entire body; from Guatemala, UMML 22.1053 C–D tube and detail of peristome; from Bahamas, UMML 22.435 E collar region; from Cuba, IO F radiole with eggs; from Honduras, USNM 1157004, holotype G  bayonet chaetae H operculum; from Guatemala, UMML 22.1053 I operculum; from Bahamas, UMML 22.435 J operculum.

Figure 5.Exploratory analysis of the number of opercular radii and body length ratio: Serpula madrigalae sp. n. (n= 1, only for reference), Serpula vossae sp. n. (n= 7), and Serpula cf. vermicularis (n= 4).

Figure 6.Distribution of Serpula madrigalae sp. n., Serpula vossae sp. n., and Serpula cf. vermicularis.

Anterior appendages include the abundant radioles seen here. Behind the radioles to the bottom left the lighter red, funnel-shaped operculum can be seen.

This tiny individual, with a tube less than 1/2 cm long, is attached to a bryozoan. Note the coiling of the tube in tiny individuals such as this. The funnel-shaped operculum is visible to the left of the radioles. The gray, forklike object projecting down to the left from one of the coils is a tiny phoronid worm about 2 mm long. Cilia on the worm's forked lophophore are beating strongly.

A large Serpula vermicularis on a rock picked up subtidally near Rosario. Total tube length about 12 cm and nearly 1 cm diameter. (Photo by: Dave Cowles)