Protula tubularia (Montagu, 1803)

Synonyms:
Serpula tubularia Montagu, 1803

Distinguishing characteristics
Tube irregularly coiled at first, then erect for much of its length.

Species description
24-45 pairs of radioli and 2 thick palps. Operculum absent. Peristomium with 2 ocelli. Seven thoracic chaetigers. Collar incised dorsally and laterally, collar chaetae present. Thoracic notopodial chaetae winged, finely denticulate. Uncini from chaetiger 3 onwards. Abdominal chaetae capillaries and sickle-shaped. Uncini similar on thorax and abdomen. Between the thorax and abdomen are 2 achaetigerous segments. Pygidium without papillae. Tube - smooth except for indistinct growth rings. Adhered to the substratum and often irregularly coiled at first, then erect for much of its length. White, but often overgrown.

Size
Up to 50 mm long.

Color
Reddish or orange coloured, thorax greenish with red spotted collar, crown pink with reddish or orange-coloured cross bands.

Habitat
On hard substrata on the lower shore and in shallow water.

Mobility
Sedentary.

Feeding
Suspension feeder.

Life cycle

Distribution
Probably world-wide, northern North Sea and Skagerrak.