Turks and Caicos. East of Caicos Island.

Turks and Caicos. Holotype (USNM 1157006), RV Pillsbury, cruise 7106, sta. 1423, 21°41'N, 71°23'W, 10-feet otter trawl, 18 m, July 19, 1971 (ex UMML 22.1054).

Tube color greenish yellow (Fig. 2A–B); with five longitudinal ridges, lateral-most ridges larger than middle ones (Figs 1C–D, 2A–B); lacking transverse ridges and peristomes; with four rows of alveoli, more evident between dorsal-most longitudinal ridges (Figs 1C, 2A–B).

Body yellowish-brown, branchial crown and operculum yellow pale (preserved material only, Fig. 2C). TL= 20 mm; THW= 1.6 mm. Branchial crown with 18 radioles in each lobe; lacking branchial membrane.

Peduncle smooth, with well-defined constriction (Fig. 2D); inserted in left lobe. Club-shaped pseudoperculum present.

Operculum with moderately long, shallow, symmetrical funnel; lacking bulbous basal part (Figs 1A, 2D–E). OL= 2.3 mm, OD= 1.4 mm. Interradial grooves 1/3 of funnel length (Figs 1A, 2E). Funnel has 17 radii with rounded tips. Opercular inner surface with irregular tubercles (Figs 1B, 2D).

Collar thick, with short ventral and dorsal lobes. Thorax consists of seven chaetigers. Collar chaetal fascicles symmetrical with regard to size and composition, unlike in some specimens of Serpula vossae sp. n. Bayonet chaetae with two blunt-elongate teeth, distal blade smooth, lacking proximal rasp (Figs 2F); hooded (capillary) chaetae present (Fig. 2G).

Thoracic membranes well developed, narrowing toward to last thoracic chaetigers, fused ventrally, forming a short apron. Remaining six thoracic chaetigers with hooded (limbate) chaetae of two sizes; saw-shaped uncini.

Anterior part of abdomen lacking distinct achaetous region. Anterior and middle abdominal chaetigers with flat-trumpet chaetae. Posterior chaetigers with ‘capillary’ chaetae. Anterior and posterior uncini saw-shaped.

Named after my wife, Dr Socorro García-Madrigal, a specialist on crustaceans, who gave me the necessary encouragement and time to undertake this research.

Only recorded from the vicinity of Caicos Island, Turks and Caicos Islands (Fig. 6).

Sublittoral, 18 m. In the same sample there were other serpulids: Pomatostegus stellatus, Pseudovermilia multispinosa, Spirobranchus giganteus, and Vermiliopsis annulituba.

Serpula madrigalae sp. n. resembles other Serpula species with symmetrical, moderately long and shallow funnels, such as Serpula cavernicola, Serpula granulosa Marenzeller, 1884, Serpula israelitica Amoureux, 1976, Serpula jukesii Baird, 1865, Serpula narconensis Baird, 1865, Serpula oshimae Imajima & ten Hove, 1984, Serpula tetratropia Imajima & ten Hove, 1984, Serpula vermicularis Linnaeus, 1767, and Serpula zelandica Baird, 1865. However, Serpula madrigalae sp. n. differs from all other Serpula species with regard to its characteristic tube which has five longitudinal ridges and four rows of alveoli (Figs 1C–D, 2A–B).

Serpula madrigalae sp. n. resembles Serpula vermicularis granulosa, in having tubercles on the internal surface of the operculum; however, the diagnosis of the latter species was brief (Day 1973). At least Serpula madrigalae sp. n. differs by the tube with five longitudinal ridges and four rows of alveoli (Figs 1C–D, 2A–B), while Serpula vermicularis granulosa is “faintly ridged” (Day 1973:131); also, Day (1973) mentioned more opercular radii (20–40) than present in Serpula madrigalae sp. n. (17, Figs 1B, 5).

Serpula madrigalae sp. n. also resembles Serpula sp. A, from the northeastern part of the Gulf of Mexico, with regard to the shape of the operculum, the number of radii and the depths from which they were collected. However, they differ with regards to other features: Serpula madrigalae sp. n. has irregular tubercles on the internal surface of the operculum (Figs 1B, 2D) and lacks a proximal rasp in the bayonet chaetae (Fig. 2F), while Serpula sp. A lacks tubercles (ten Hove and Wolf 1984, Fig. 55–8a) and has bayonet chaetae with a proximal rasp. Additionally, ten Hove and Wolf (1984) mentioned that all the specimens lacked their tubes. Hence is not possible to assign the specimens recorded as Serpula sp. A. to Serpula madrigalae sp. n.

Honduras. Southwest of Honduras.

Holotype (USNM 1157004), RV Pillsbury, cruise 6802, sta. 629, 15°58'N, 86°09'W, 40 m, March 21, 1968 (ex UMML 22.611); paratype (USNM 1157005), RV Pillsbury, cruise 6802, sta. 628, Honduras, East of Cayos Cochinos, 15°57'N, 86°15'W, 47 m, March 21, 1968 (ex UMML 22.610).

Guatemala. One complete specimen (UMML 22.1053) RV Pillsbury, cruise 6802, sta. 613, West of Punta Cortes, 15°58'N, 88°20'W, 10-feet otter trawl, 39 m, March 19, 1968. México. One complete specimen (ECOSUR s.n.) RV Edwin Link sta. 2792, 13 km from East of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 21°14'N, 86°36'W, 130 m, August 28, 1990, E. Escobar and L. Soto leg. Cuba. One complete specimen (Instituto de Oceanología de Cuba) Cayo Diego Pérez, Golfo de Batabanó, 15 m, July 20, 1988, D. Ibarzábal leg. Bahamas. Two complete specimens (UMML 22.435) RV Gerda, cruise 6433, sta. 391, North of Bahamas, 27°20'N, 79°11'W, screen dredge, 68 m, September 19, 1964.

Tube color brownish, or light brown to white; with 6–8 longitudinal ridges, all similar in size; some tubes with shallow transverse ridges, forming a rugged surface, other tubes lacking transverse ridges; most tubes lacking peristomes, two have only one peristome with appearance of a groove with shallow growth lines. Tubes lacking alveoli (Fig. 4A, C–D).

Body pale yellow (preserved material only, Fig. 4B). TL= 38.5 mm (n=7, r:20–45.5, µ=36.6 ±10.3); THW= 2 mm (n=7, r:1.5–3.4, µ=2.3 ±0.6). Branchial crown with 29 radioles (n=7, r:19–37, µ=30.9 ±6.4) left, and 29 right (n=7, r:12–35, µ=30.9 ±8.8); lacking branchial membrane (Fig. 4E).

Peduncle smooth with insertion on left (n=2) or right (n=5); with shallow (n= 4) to well-defined constriction (n= 3) (Figs 3A, C, 4H–J). Pseudoperculum club-shaped, present in all specimens.

Operculum with long, deep symmetrical funnel; with a slightly bulbous basal part above constriction (Figs 3A, C, 4H–J). OL= 3.2 mm (n=7, r:2–4.5, µ=3.3 ±0.8), OD= 2 mm (n=7, r:1.4–2.8, µ=2.3 ±0.5). Interradial grooves 2/3 of funnel length. Funnel with 21 radii (n=7, r:21–33, µ=27.4 ±3.7) with rounded tips (Figs 3A, C, 4H–J). Opercular inner surface lacking tubercles (Fig. 3A–D).

Collar thick, with short ventral and dorsal lobes. Thorax consists of seven chaetigers. Collar fascicles in three specimens asymmetrical with regard to sizes and number of chaetae; right fascicle with larger and more chaetae than left fascicle (Fig. 4E). Bayonet chaetae with two blunt-elongate teeth, distal blade smooth, lacking proximal rasp (Fig. 4G); hooded (capillary) chaetae present.

Thoracic membranes well developed, narrowing toward last thoracic chaetigers, fused ventrally, forming a short apron. Remaining six thoracic chaetigers with hooded (limbate) chaetae of two sizes; saw-shaped uncini.

Anterior part of abdomen lacks a distinct achaetous region. Anterior and middle abdominal chaetigers with flat-trumpet chaetae. Posterior chaetigers with ‘capillary’ chaetae. Anterior and posterior uncini saw-shaped.

Operculum of holotype (USNM 1157004) has roseate radial tips (Fig. 4H); the rest of specimens are yellow to white (Fig. 4I–J). Operculum and radioles of specimen from Guatemala (UMML 22.1053) have hard particles adhered, possibly salt concretions (Fig. 4I); operculum more rigid compared with the other specimens.

Named after Professor Nancy Voss, a distinguished cephalopod specialist and Director of the Marine Invertebrate Museum, who generously loaned the serpulid samples from the oceanographic expeditions of the University of Miami.

Tropical Caribbean. Bahamas, Cuba, Mexican Caribbean, Guatemala and Honduran Caribbean (Fig. 6).

Sublittoral, 15 to 130 m. On rocky and sandy bottoms, and associated with siliceous sponges and several syllid polychaetes specimens. In the same samples, there were other serpulids: Hyalopomatus sp., Hydroides parvus, Pomatostegus stellatus, Pseudovermilia fuscostriata, Pseudovermilia occidentalis, Spiraserpula ypsilon, and a vermetid shell.

The specimen from Cayo Diego Pérez, Cuba, has eggs adhering to the pinnules of the radioles. The eggs, circular to slightly oval, are 55–68 µm (Fig. 4F).

Serpula vossae sp. n. resembles other Serpula species with long and deep symmetrical funnels, as in Serpula columbiana Johnson, 1901, Serpula concharum Langerhans, 1880, Serpula longituba Imajima, 1979, Serpula sinica Wu & Chen, 1979, Serpula uschakovi Kupriyanova, 1999, Serpula vittata Augener, 1914, and Serpula watsoni Willey, 1905. However, Serpula vossae sp. n. differs in having an operculum with a smooth inner surface, while Serpula watsoni has tubercles(Pillai 2009); Serpula vossae sp. n. has fewer opercular radii (21–33, Figs 4B–D, 5) than Serpula columbiana (55–160) or Serpula uschakovi (62–136) (Kupriyanova 1999); Serpula vossae sp. n. has 6–8 longitudinal ridges in the tube (Fig. 4A, C–D), while Serpula columbiana, Serpula longituba and Serpula uschakovi lack longitudinal ridges (Imajima 1979, Kupriyanova 1999), whereas Serpula concharum, Serpula vittata, and Serpula watsoni have five or less (Rioja 1931, Imajima 1977, 1982); Serpula vossae sp. n. has more radioles per branchial lobe (19–37) than Serpula concharum (6–15), Serpula longituba (9–10), Serpula sinica (13), while Serpula uschakovi has even more (43–61) than Serpula vossae sp. n. Serpula vossae sp. n. has collar chaetae with two teeth (Fig. 4G), while Serpula longituba lacks bayonet chaetae (Imajima 1979), Serpula sinica has bayonet chaetae lacking basal teeth (Wu et al. 1979), and Serpula vittata and Serpula watsoni have 10 and five basal teeth in the bayonet chaetae, respectively (Imajima 1977, 1982). These characters and others have been compared in Table 1.

Regarding the Serpula species recorded in the Western Atlantic, Serpula vossae sp. n. differs from Serpula vermicularis granulosa Day, 1973, from Beaufort, North Carolina, because the former has a longer, deeper operculum, and lacks tubercles on the internal funnel surface (Figs 3A–D, 4H–J); while Serpula vossae sp. n. differs from Serpula sp. A (ten Hove and Wolf 1984) and Serpula madrigalae sp. n. because the former has a longer and deeper operculum, with more opercular radii (21–33) than the latter (Serpula sp. A has 18 radii, Serpula madrigalae sp. n. has 17).

Serpula vossae sp. n. differs from Serpula cf. vermicularis, recorded here from Nigeria, in the same characters mentioned for Serpula vermicularis granulosa, and, additionally in having fewer opercular radii in relation to the body length than the latter (Fig. 5).

Nigeria. Five specimens (UMML 22.545), RV Pillsbury, sta. 248, Southeast of Lagos, 4°05’N, 5°40’E, 10-foot try-net, 33 m, May 13, 1965.

Tubes missing. Body light brown (preserved material only). TL= 18.5 mm (n=4, r:9.4–18.5, µ=36.6 ±10.3); THW= 1.7 mm (n=5, r:1.2–1.7, µ=1.6 ±0.2). Thoracic membranes and opercular peduncles of all the specimens damaged. Branchial crown with 27 radioles (n=4, r:19–27, µ=23.8 ±3.4) left, and 25 right (n=4, r:17–25, µ=22.5 ±3.7); lacking inter-radiolar membrane.

Peduncle smooth, with insertion on left (n=2) or right (n=2); lacking constriction between it and operculum, its position represented only by a slight change in color (Figs 1E, 2I). Club-shaped pseudoperculum present in all specimens.

Operculum with short, shallow symmetrical funnel; lacking bulbous basal part (Figs 1E, 2I). OL= 2 mm (n=4, r:1.3–2.1, µ=1.9 ±0.4), OD= 1.8 mm (n=4, r:1.1–1.8, µ=1.6 ±0.3). Interradial grooves 1/4 of funnel length (Fig. 2H). Funnel with up to 39 radii (n=4, r:33–39, µ=36.3 ±3.2) with blunt tips (Fig. 1E–F). Opercular inner surface lacking tubercles (Figs 1E–F, 2I).

Collar thick, with ventral and dorsal lobes short. Thorax consists of seven chaetigers. Collar chaetal fascicles symmetrical with regard to size and composition unlike in Serpula vossae sp. n. Bayonet chaetae with two blunt-elongate teeth, distal blade smooth, lacking proximal rasp (Fig. 2J); hooded (capillary) chaetae present.

Thoracic membranes apparently well developed (membranes damaged), narrowing toward posterior thorax, fused ventrally, forming a short apron. Remaining six thoracic chaetigers with hooded (limbate) chaetae of two sizes; saw-shaped uncini.

Abdomen with anterior achaetous region. Anterior and middle abdominal chaetigers with flat-trumpet chaetae. Posterior chaetigers with ‘capillary’ chaetae. Anterior and posterior uncini saw-shaped.

Two specimens with a hyaline circle in radii tip (Fig. 1F). One specimen with few inconspicuous tubercles in interior funnel surface.

Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea (Fig. 6).

Sublittoral, 33 m.

Serpula cf. vermicularis resembles the nominal species; unfortunately, the tubes of all the specimens are missing. There are some differences with the nominal species, particularly with regard to the number of radii: Serpula cf. vermicularis has 33–39 opercular radii (Fig. 1F, 2I, 5), while Zibrowius (1968) recorded specimens from Marseille with more than 40 opercular radii, and Kupriyanova and Jirkov (1997) recorded specimens from Norway and Iceland with a mean of 50.8 opercular radii; and the proximal rasp of the bayonet chaetae: Serpula cf. vermicularis lacks a proximal rasp (Fig. 2J), while Rioja (1931) and Kupriyanova (1999, Table 1) mentioned that their specimens have a proximal rasp.

Zibrowius (1973) recorded several specimens as Serpula vermicularis, from Western Africa (from Angola to Morocco); unfortunately the description was too brief and did not included figures; however, Zibrowius (1973) mentioned that the specimens that he reviewed showed considerable variation.

Awa Blancu, Curaçao.

Panama Caribbean. One specimen (ECOSUR P0615) Colon, Club Náutico, fouling prospection, June 3, 2002, S.I. Salazar-Vallejo leg. Mexican Caribbean. Nine specimens (ECOSUR P0614, P0616), two specimens (UMML 22.1061), two specimens (UMAR-Poly 110), Playa Azul, Cozumel, coral rock, 10 m, March 25, 2001, leg. H.A. ten Hove.

Some specimens forming tube aggregations; others were found isolated. Tubes sinuous or spiraled (Fig. 7A), with two internal ridges: mid-dorsal one smooth, mid-ventral one serrated (Fig. 7B–C), occasionally with two internal lateral ridges (Fig. 7D). Some tubes externally pinkish, others with two dorsal pink bands (Fig. 7A–B). Body brown to dark brown (preserved material only). The worms are damaged. Branchial crowns lost. Thorax with eight chaetigers, including collar fascicles. Abdomen damaged.

Caribbean, Florida and Pacific of Panama.

Intertidal to sublittoral, 10 m. On coral debris. Pillai and ten Hove (1994) recorded the species from 0–18 m deep.

Spiraserpula caribensisis easily distinguishable from the other Caribbean species by their pink tubes (Fig. 7A).

Karpata, Bonaire.

Venezuela. One incomplete specimen and one empty tube (UMML 22.1055), RV Pillsbury, cruise 6806, sta. 745, North of Los Roques Islands, 11°58'N, 66°50'W, 10-feet otter trawl, 65 m, July 24, 1968.

Empty tube larger (Fig. 7E) than occupied one attached to empty tubes of Spiraserpula ypsilon. Tubes sinuous or spiraled, with two internal ridges: mid-dorsal one smooth, mid-ventral one serrated (Fig. 7E). Both tubes white, internal and externally (Fig. 7E). The branchial crown and thorax of incomplete specimen is missing. Abdomen partially transparent, with double packets of gametes in each segment (Fig. 7F).

Eastern Caribbean. Bonaire, Curaçao and Los Roques Islands.

Sublittoral, 65 m. On coral debris. Pillai and ten Hove (1994) recorded the species from depths of 10–30 m. The sample also contained two Spiraserpula species: Spiraserpula ypsilon and Spiraserpula sp., a chaetopterid tube, a lumbrinerid and several empty tubes of serpulids resembling Protula and Vermiliopsis.

Spiraserpula karpatensis resembles Spiraserpula caribensis with regard to the dorsal and ventral ridges (Fig. 7C, E); however, Spiraserpula karpatensis does not possess pinkish tubes unlike Spiraserpula caribensis.

Brava, Cape Verde Islands.

Bahamas. Two empty tubes (UMML 22.1056), RV Gerda, cruise 6804, sta. 983, North of Elbow Cay, Bahamas, 24°05'N, 80°20'W, triangle dredge, 216 m, March 5, 1968). Honduras. One specimen (UMML 22.1057), RV Pillsbury, cruise 6802, sta. 629, Southwest of Honduras Cape, 15°58'N, 86°09'W, 41-feet otter trawl, 40 m, March 21, 1968. Venezuela. Two empty tubes (UMML 22.1058), RV Pillsbury, cruise 6806, sta. 745, North of Los Roques Islands, 11°58'N, 66°50'W, 10-feet otter trawl, 65 m, July 24, 1968. Trinidad and Tobago. One specimen (UMML 22.1059), one specimen (UMAR-Poly 111), RV Pillsbury, cruise 6907, sta. 840, East of Trinidad Island, 10°40'N, 60°37'W, 10-feet otter trawl, 33 m, sponges, July 1, 1969.

One specimen (UMML 22.1058) attached to tube of Spiraserpula karpatensis and another (UMML 22.1056) attached to Pseudovermilia fuscostriata tube (Fig. 7H). Tubes sinuous or strongly spiraled (Fig. 7H); in another the tube forms a very tight cylindrical spiral (Fig. 7I). Tubes with two internal longitudinal ridges: mid-dorsal one serrated, mid-ventral one Y-shaped (Fig. 7J–L); sometimes, along length of tube, Y-shaped ridge changes to smooth ridge. Tubes white (Fig. 7H–I). Body pale to dark brown (preserved material only). Worms damaged. Branchial crown with 5–6 radioles by branchial lobe. Collar damaged, lobes could not be observed. Bayonet chaetae with 3–4 blunt teeth (Fig. 7G); hooded (capillary) chaetae present. Thorax with seven chaetigers, including collar chaetae. Abdomen damaged.

Caribbean, Florida and Pacific of Panama.

Sublittoral, 33–216 m. On coral debris. Pillai and ten Hove (1994) recorded the species from 0.5 to 200 m. In the same samples studied there were other serpulids: Spiraserpula karpatensis, Spiraserpula sp., Hydroides gairacensis, Hydroides sp. 1, Pomatostegus stellatus, Protula sp., Pseudovermilia fuscostriata, Pseudovermilia occidentalis, Salmacina huxleyi, Serpula vossae sp. n., Vermiliopsis annulata, a chaetopterid tube, and other polychaetes: a lumbrinerid, several syllids, sipunculids and a vermetid shell.

Spiraserpula ypsilonis very similar to Spiraserpula paraypsilon Pillai & ten Hove, 1994, described from the Netherlands Antilles, mainly with regard to the internal ridges of the tube. However, some differences separate both species, mainly the absence of lateral tubercles in the thoracic uncini in Spiraserpula ypsilon, characteristic of Spiraserpula paraypsilon; additionally, Spiraserpula ypsilonhas fewer radioles (6–7) than Spiraserpula paraypsilon (11).

Venezuela. One specimen (UMML 22.1060), RV Pillsbury, cruise 6806, sta. 745, North of Los Roques Islands, 11°58'N, 66°50'W, 10-feet otter trawl, 65 m, July 24, 1968.

Tube attached to a chaetopterid tube, is white and lacks any internal ridges characteristic of Spiraserpula. External surface with granular appearance, internally smooth. Body white, fragmented and damaged but complete. Branchial crown with nine radioles per lobe; lacking inter-radiolar membrane.

Peduncle smooth, inserted in right lobe, with well-defined constriction between it and operculum (Figs 7M). Pseudoperculum club-shaped. Operculum is zygomorphic; with a conspicuous bulbous basal part above constriction (Fig. 7M). Interradial grooves 1/3 of funnel length; 19 radii with rounded tips (Fig. 7N); inner surface smooth (Fig. 7N).

Collar damaged, lobes could not be observed. Bayonet chaetae with 2–3 sharp-elongate teeth; hooded (capillary) chaetae present. Thorax with eight chaetigers, including collar chaetae. Abdomen damaged, with approximately 61 segments, a distinct achaetous region absent between the thorax and abdomen.

Only recorded from Los Roques Islands, Venezuela.

Sublittoral, 65 m. The same sample contained other serpulids: Spiraserpula karpatensis, Spiraserpula ypsilon, several empty tubes of serpulids resembling Protula and Vermiliopsis, a chaetopterid tube, and a lumbrinerid.

Most of the tube belonging to this specimen is missing and the remaining fragments lacked the internal ridges characteristic of Spiraserpula. The operculum of this Spiraserpula sp. resembles that of Spiraserpula karpatensis, Spiraserpula plaiae Pillai & ten Hove, 1994 and Spiraserpula sumbensis Pillai & ten Hove, 1994; the former two are from Caribbean and the latter is from Indonesia. Due to the loss of the rest of the tube the present specimen cannot be assigned to species. It may be a juvenile stage of another genus, such as Crucigera or Serpula.