BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Serpula vermicularis

Researched by

Lizzie Tyler

Data supplied by

University of Sheffield

Refereed by

This information is not refereed.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Serpula vermicularis

Common name

A tubeworm

MCS Code

P1343

Recent Synonyms

None

Phylum

Annelida

Subphylum

Superclass

Class

Polychaeta

Subclass

Order

Sabellida

Suborder

Family

Serpulidae

Genus

Serpula

Species

vermicularis

Subspecies

Additional Information

None entered

Taxonomy References

Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Holt et al., 1998, Fish & Fish, 1996,

General Biology

Growth form

Vermiform segmented

Feeding method

Passive suspension feeder
Active suspension feeder

Mobility/Movement

Permanent attachment

Environmental position

Epifaunal
Epibenthic
Epilithic

Typical food types

Detritus

Habit

Tubiculous

Bioturbator

Not relevant

Flexibility

Insufficient information

Fragility

Fragile

Size

Small-medium(3-10cm)

Height

See additional text

Growth Rate

mean of 9 mm of tube/month

Adult dispersal potential

None

Dependency

Independent

Sociability

Solitary

Toxic/Poisonous?

General Biology Additional Information

The 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 & Ireland

Distributed 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 distribution

Thought to be distributed in the north east Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Biogeographic range

Not researched

Depth range

Migratory

Non-migratory / Resident

Distribution Additional Information

Global 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 preferences

Other species (see additional information)
Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete)
Bedrock
Biogenic reef
Large to very large boulders
Small boulders
Pebbles
Cobbles

Physiographic preferences

Open coast
Offshore seabed
Strait / sound
Sealoch
Estuary

Biological zone

Sublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Circalittoral Offshore

Wave exposure

Moderately Exposed
Sheltered
Very Sheltered

Tidal stream strength/Water flow

Weak (<1 kn)

Salinity

Full (30-40 psu)

Habitat Preferences Additional Information

None entered

Distribution References

Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Holt et al., 1998, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Gonochoristic

Developmental mechanism

Planktotrophic

Reproductive Season

Summer months

Reproductive Location

Insufficient information

Reproductive frequency

Regeneration potential

Life span

3-5 years

Age at reproductive maturity

1 year

Generation time

Insufficient information

Fecundity

Egg/propagule size

Fertilization type

Insufficient information

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	Insufficient information	Larval settlement period	See additional text
Duration of larval stage

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

Age 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,