Serpulidae

The Serpulidae are a family of sessile, tube-building annelid worms in the class Polychaeta. The members of this family differ from other sabellid tube worms in that they have a specialized operculum that blocks the entrance of their tubes when they withdraw into the tubes. In addition, serpulids secrete tubes of calcium carbonate. Serpulids are the most important biomineralizers among annelids. About 300 species in the family Serpulidae are known, all but one of which live in saline waters. The earliest serpulids are known from the Permian (Wordian to late Permian).

species of marine tube worm

species of annelid

Serpula (also known as calcareous tubeworm, serpulid tubeworm, fanworm, or plume worm) is a genus of sessile, marine annelid tube worms that belongs to the family Serpulidae. Serpulid worms are very similar to tube worms of the closely related sabellid family, except that the former possess a cartilaginous operculum that occludes the entrance to their protective tube after the animal has withdrawn into it. The most distinctive feature of worms of the genus Serpula is their colorful fan-shaped "crown". The crown, used by these animals for respiration and alimentation, is the structure that is m

species of annelid

Spirobranchus is the second largest genus of tube-building annelid fanworms in the family Serpulidae.

common name for marine animals

species of annelid

species of annelid

species of annelid

Protula is a genus of marine polychaete worms in the family Serpulidae.

Spirorbis is a genus of very small () polychaete worms, usually with a white coiled shell. Members of the genus live in the lower littoral and sublittoral zones of rocky shores. Spirorbis worms usually live attached to seaweeds, but some species live directly on rocks, shells or other hard substrates. Spirorbis was once thought to have a fossil record extending back into the Early Paleozoic, but now all pre-Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) spirorbins are known to be microconchids. The earliest members of genus appeared in the Miocene, but Oligocene finds may also be possible. The genus contains the

species of annelid

Vermiliopsis is a genus of polychaetes belonging to the family Serpulidae.

species of annelid

Hydroides is a genus of tube-forming serpulid worms found on submerged saltwater rocks, shells, and boats in many coastal areas around the world.

Salmacina is a genus of marine polychaete worms in the family Serpulidae. The type species is Salmacina incrustans Claparède, 1870.

species of annelid

species of annelid

Rotularia is an extinct genus of planispirally coiled fossil polychaete worms in the family Serpulidae. Owing to the gastropod-like shape of Rotularia, many authors in the past interpreted this genus as being sea snails in the family Vermetidae. Like many other members from Vermetidae the Rotularia is approximately 5 inches in length. This is an estimate from the 151 confirmed fossil discoveries.

species of annelid

Janua is a genus of polychaetes, containing the following subgenera and species:

species of annelid

Galeolaria is a genus of coastal tube-building annelid fanworms in the family Serpulidae, found from southern Queensland, to New Zealand and southern Australian shores, to Western Australia.

species of annelid

species of annelid

species of annelid

species of annelid

genus of annelids

Filograna is a genus of marine polychaete worms in the family Serpulidae.

species of annelid