Serpula vermicularis

Researched ByLizzie TylerData Supplied ByUniversity of Sheffield
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific nameSerpula vermicularisCommon nameA tubeworm
MCS CodeP1343Recent SynonymsNone
PhylumAnnelidaSubphylum
SuperclassClassPolychaeta
SubclassOrderSabellida
SuborderFamilySerpulidae
GenusSerpulaSpeciesvermicularis
Subspecies  
Additional InformationNone entered
Taxonomy References Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Holt et al., 1998, Fish & Fish, 1996
General Biology
Growth formVermiform segmentedFeeding methodPassive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder
Mobility/MovementPermanent attachmentEnvironmental positionEpifaunal, Epibenthic, Epilithic
Typical food typesDetritusHabitTubiculous
BioturbatorNot relevantFlexibilityInsufficient information
FragilityFragileSizeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
HeightSee additional textGrowth Ratemean of 9 mm of tube/month
Adult dispersal potentialNoneDependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
Additional InformationThe tube is attached to hard substrata at the base but in reef aggregations is often free for much of its length. Height above the substratum varies but in reefs individual tubes may reach up to 18 cm, while the reefs themsleves vary between 75 cm and 2 m in hieght (Holt et al., 1998). Sociability
Dense aggregations of Serpula vermicularis tubes occur in enclosed and sheltered locations. These dense settlements of larvae on adult tubes may indicate larval gregarity but Bosence (1979(b)) suggests that aggregations only occur in locations with larval retention and few other hard substrates available for larval settlement. In the open marine environment Serpula vermicularis is not normally gregarious.

Feeding
Serpula vermicularis is a suspension feeder that can actively create its own feeding current and so can inhabit areas with little water movement.

Biology References Holt et al., 1998, Fish & Fish, 1996, Bosence, 1979(b), Heidi Tillin, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandDistributed mainly around the north-west coast of Scotland. Also present on the north-east coast of England and the north-west coast of Ireland with scattered records around much of the coast of Britain and Ireland.
Global distributionThought to be distributed in the north east Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Biogeographic rangeNot researchedDepth range
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional InformationGlobal distribution
Although it is reported that Serpula vermicularis has a world-wide distribution, there is a great deal of taxonomic confusion and it is currently thought that the species is limited to the north east Atlantic and the Mediterranean (Holt et al., 1998). There is also the possibility that within the Mediterranean it is actually part of a complex of two or three species (ten Hove pers. comm. cited in Holt et al., 1998).
Substratum preferencesOther species (see additional information), Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete), Bedrock, Biogenic reef, Large to very large boulders, Small boulders, Pebbles, CobblesPhysiographic preferencesOpen coast, Offshore seabed, Strait / sound, Sealoch, Estuary
Biological zoneSublittoral Fringe, Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Circalittoral OffshoreWave exposureModerately Exposed, Sheltered, Very Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowWeak (<1 kn)SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional InformationNone entered
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)I 
Distribution References Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Holt et al., 1998, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic Developmental mechanismPlanktotrophic
Reproductive SeasonSummer monthsReproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequency Regeneration potentialNo
Life span3-5 yearsAge at reproductive maturity1 year
Generation timeInsufficient informationFecundity
Egg/propagule sizeFertilization typeInsufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialInsufficient informationLarval settlement periodSee additional text
Duration of larval stage  
Additional InformationAge at maturity and life span
Orton (1914) observed that ten month old individuals of Serpula vermicularis in the south west of England could successfully reproduce.
Larval settling time
The length of the planktonic stage is unknown but comparison with other serpulid species suggests it may be between six days and two months (Holt et al., 1998).
Spawning season
Spawning seems to occur in the summer. In the Clyde area Elmhirst (1922) observed spawning to occur in June to August and in Plymouth ripe individuals were seen in August and September (Allen, 1915).
Reproduction References Holt et al., 1998, Fish & Fish, 1996, Allen, 1915, Bosence, 1979(b), Orton, 1914, Elmhirst, 1922, Heidi Tillin, unpub data