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Serpula columbiana (Serpulid worm)
Copyright © 2007
Mary Jo Adams
This species attains the largest size of tubeworms from the Serpulidae family in the Puget Sound area. Like others of that family, it constructs a tube made up of calcium carbonate. The cylindrical tube can be up to 8 inches (20 cm.) in length, is white to gray in color, and may be loosely coiled or stretch out in a more rambling form. The extended cirri are pink, red, or orange and sometimes with white bands. Individuals have one or two trumpet shaped opercula that occlude the end of the tube when the worm withdraws. This worm is found on floats or pilings, in rocky tidepools, and on other hard surfaces from the intertidal zone to depths exceeding 300 feet. Other common names include fanworm, plume worm, red-trumpet calcareous tubeworm, calcareous tubeworm, limy-tubed worm, and red tubeworm. It is also known under the scientific name Serpula vermicularis.
This
page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 10/28/07.
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