What is "serpula"

Serpula \Ser"pu*la\, n.; pl. Serpul[ae], E. Serpulas. [L., a little snake. See Serpent.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of tubicolous annelids of the genus Serpula and allied genera of the family Serpulid[ae]. They secrete a calcareous tube, which is usually irregularly contorted, but is sometimes spirally coiled. The worm has a wreath of plumelike and often bright-colored gills around its head, and usually an operculum to close the aperture of its tube when it retracts.

n. (context zoology English) Any of numerous species of tubicolous annelids of the genus ''Serpula'' and allied genera of the family ''(taxlink Serpulidae family)'' that secrete a calcareous tube, usually irregularly contorted, but sometimes spirally coiled, with a wreath of plumelike and often bright-colored gills around its head, and usually an operculum to close the aperture of its tube when it retracts.

Serpula (also known as calcareous tubeworm, serpulid tubeworm, fanworm, or plume worm) is a genus of sessile, marine annelid tube worms that belongs to the Serpulidae family. Serpulid worms are very similar to tube worms of the closely related sabellid family, except that the former possess a cartilaginous operculum that occludes the entrance to their protective tube after the animal has withdrawn into it. The most distinctive feature of worms of the Serpula genus is their colorful fan-shaped "crown". The crown, used by these animals for respiration and alimentation, is the structure that is most commonly seen by scuba divers and other casual observers.

Serpula is a genus of fungi in the family Serpulaceae.