Key:  Family Serpulidae

Taken primarily from  Kozloff, 1987, 1996 p. 164 (Copyright 1987, 1996, University of Washington Press.  Used in this web page by permission of University of Washington Press)

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Lower taxonomic level	Main Page	Alphabetic Index	Systematic Index	Glossary

1a	Operculum well developed, at the tip of a specialized, nearly mid-dorsal radiole that has no pinnules	2
1b	Operculum absent, or consisting of a swelling at the tip of a relatively unmodified radiole that has pinnules	5
2a	Operculum globular, with a brown, chitinous plate at its distal end	Pseudochitinopoma occidentalis
2b	Operculum funnel-shaped	3
3a	Operculum with 2 or 3 obvious protuberances just below the funnel	4
3b	Stalk of operculum without protuberances just below the funnel, but it has a ringlike thickening in this position (Serpula. vermicularis in Kozloff key)	Serpula columbiana
4a	Operculum with 2 protuberances just below the funnel; edge of the funnel rather irregular, due in part to the funnel being longer dorsally than ventrally and somewhat compressed laterally	Crucigera irregularis
4b	Operculum with 3 protuberances just below the funnel; funnel opening almost perfectly circular, its edge regular	Crucigera zygophora
5a	Operculum absent	6
5b	Operculum present, globular, transparent	7
6a	With only 6 radioles	Salmacina tribranchiata
6b	With about 120 radioles	Protula pacifica
7a	Abdominal setae sharply bent, with smooth blades	Apomatus geniculata
7b	Abdominal setae not sharply bent, with serrated blades	Apomatus timmsii

  Crucigera zygophora
  Serpula columbiana