Abstract
1. The tubes of H. brachyacantha and E. dianthus contained two polymorphs of calcium carbonate, high magnesium calcite and aragonite, whereas the mineral regenerate produced by both species contained only aragonite. The site of initial appearance of the mineral regenerate over the openings of the calcium-secreting glands and the presence of aragonite in the duct of the calcium-secreting gland of E. dianthus indicate that the aragonite of the mineral regenerate and probably also of the tube is secreted by the calcium-secreting glands. The high magnesium calcite fraction of the tube is probably secreted by the ventral shield epithelium.2. At all salinities in which worms were able to produce mineral regenerate the rate of mineral regenerate production was extremely variable.3. Both species of serpulids failed to produce mineral regenerate below a salinity of about 20‰. Above this salinity the rate of mineral regenerate production increased with increasing salinity and environmental calcium concentration. Ho...
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