Description: This worm builds hard calcareous tubes and can occur individually or, in the right conditions, can form reefs. They have a distinctive and conspicuous funnel-shaped or trumpet-shaped operculum that helps distinguish them from other similar looking worms. The operculum is single, straights sided funnel with a serrated circumference. The crown of tentacles and operculum can be red, white or mainly red with some white, white with some red or a mixture of red and white.

Habitat: Sublittoral, on hard substrata.

Distribution: Records of individuals are widespread around Britain and Ireland, but occurrences of reefs are rare.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Protula tubularia but it does not have an operculum.

Key Identification Features:

• Conspicuous funnel-shaped operculum.
• Colour of operculum and tentacles red, white or mixture of both.

Distribution Map from NBN: Serpula vermicularis at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Serpula vermicularis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Serpula vermicularis

WoRMS: Serpula vermicularis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Serpula vermicularis Linnaeus, 1767. AphiaID: 131051.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Annelida; Polychaeta; Sedentaria; Canalipalpata; Sabellida; Serpulidae; Serpulinae; Serpulini; Serpula