Galeolaria hystrix

Taxobox
name = "Galeolaria hystrix"
status =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Annelida
classis = Polychaeta
subclassis = Palpata
ordo = Canalipalpata
subordo = Sabellida
familia = Serpulidae
genus = "Galeolaria"
species = "G. hystrix"
binomial = "Galeolaria hystrix"
binomial_authority = Mörch, 1863

"Galeolaria hystrix" is a sabellid worm of the family Serpulidae, endemic to southern Australia and New Zealand under rocks or on kelp holdfasts below low tide level.

"Galeolaria hystrix" lives in a hard white calcareous tube up to 25 mm long of calcium carbonate firmly attached to a solid object in a protected area such as underneath a boulder. The randomly wavy tube has a double crest running along the top, and at the top of the entrance are two sharp points. This species is normally solitary and does not form colonies as many other similar worms do, except in deep locations.

The animal is deep pinkish-red and the gills and operculum are orange banded with white. The operculum bears several concentric rows of curved spines.

References

* [http://www.annelida.net/nz/Polychaeta/Family/F-Serpulidae.htm Annelida.net]
* Miller M & Batt G, "Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand", William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973