Galeolaria
Encyclopedia
Galeolaria is a genus
of tube-building annelid
fanworms in the family Serpulidae
.
These may form huge colonies coating the rock surface, sometimes centimetres thick.
Inside the limy tube, the galeolaria worm body is symmetrical, with a branchial crown made up of two lobes, one holding a stalked operculum. The operculum is winged with spines. The operculum seals the tube when the animal retreats into its tube. The tentacles of the branchial crown are used as gills and as a way of capturing food.
The tubes are often found singly, or as complex interwoven clumps.
These colonies form a distinctive zone at the mid tidal regions. They may be so thick and dense that they form a microhabitat for many other creatures.
Galeolaria seems to exist in very large colonies, all intertwined, or a single worm tubes. When the tubes are uncovered by water, the animal hides away and is impossible to see unless the covering tube is broken open.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of tube-building annelid
Annelid
The annelids , formally called Annelida , are a large phylum of segmented worms, with over 17,000 modern species including ragworms, earthworms and leeches...
fanworms in the family Serpulidae
Serpulidae
Serpulidae is a family of sessile, tube-building annelid worms in the class Polychaeta. The members of this family differ from the sabellid tube worms in that they have a specialized operculum that blocks the entrance of their tubes when they withdraw into the tubes. In addition, serpulids secrete...
.
Form
Galeolaria, is first observed by the limy tubes within which the worm lives. It contains two described species.These may form huge colonies coating the rock surface, sometimes centimetres thick.
Inside the limy tube, the galeolaria worm body is symmetrical, with a branchial crown made up of two lobes, one holding a stalked operculum. The operculum is winged with spines. The operculum seals the tube when the animal retreats into its tube. The tentacles of the branchial crown are used as gills and as a way of capturing food.
Habitat
A distinctive zone-forming species with its upper limit at the lowest neap water high-water mark. Isolated tubes may be found at any level, even above the highest tide, only being wetted by spray.Biology
The calcareous tubes built by this worm are up to 3 cm in length.The tubes are often found singly, or as complex interwoven clumps.
These colonies form a distinctive zone at the mid tidal regions. They may be so thick and dense that they form a microhabitat for many other creatures.
Galeolaria seems to exist in very large colonies, all intertwined, or a single worm tubes. When the tubes are uncovered by water, the animal hides away and is impossible to see unless the covering tube is broken open.
Species
- Galeolaria caespitosa Lamarck, 1818
- Galeolaria hystrixGaleolaria hystrixGaleolaria hystrix is a serpulid worm of the family Serpulidae, endemic to southern Australia and New Zealand.-References:* * Miller M & Batt G, Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand, William Collins Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973...
Mörch, 1863