Taxonomic implications and fossilization of tube ultrastructure of some Cenozoic serpulids (Annelida, Polychaeta) from Europe

The diversity of tube ultrastructures in Cenozoic fossil serpulids is similar to that of Recent serpulids. In general tube ultrastructure is well preserved in Cenozoic serpulids and can be compared directly with Recent serpulids. Diagenetically altered tubes can be easily distinguished from well preserved serpulid tubes. Fossil serpulids have taxon-specific tube ultrastructures which can help to identify the species and also link them to the extant serpulids. Tube ultrastructures of Hydroides elegans, Placostegus polymorphus, Pomatoceros sp., Protula canavarii, P protensa, Pyrgopolon mellevillei ?, Serpula muricata, Serpula sp., and Spiraserpula sp. from the Cenozoic of Europe are described.