Read, G.; Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2026). World Polychaeta Database. Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=130988 on 2026-04-23
accepted
Valid name (ICZN) or name considered to be taxonomically correct (ICBN)
Species
Un nouveau serpulien d'eau saumatre Mercierella n.g., enigmatica n.sp.
Fauvel, P. (1923). Un nouveau serpulien d'eau saumatre Mercierella n.g., enigmatica n.sp. Bulletin de la Société zoologique de France. 47: 424-430.
Cryptic sympatric species across the Australian range of the global estuarine invader Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Serpulidae, Annelida)
Styan, Craig A. ; McCluskey, Claire F. ; Sun, Yanan; Kupriyanova, Elena K. (2017). Cryptic sympatric species across the Australian range of the global estuarine invader Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Serpulidae, Annelida). Aquatic Invasions. 12(1): 53-65.
Building the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN): a novel approach for the exploration of distributed alien species data.
Katsanevakis, S.; Bogucarskis, K.; Gatto, F.; Vandekerkhove, J.; Deriu, I.; Cardoso A.S. (2012). Building the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN): a novel approach for the exploration of distributed alien species data. BioInvasions Records. 1: 235-245.
Referentiematrices en Ecotoopoppervlaktes Annex bij de Evaluatiemethodiek Schelde-estuarium Studie naar “Ecotoopoppervlaktes en intactness index”. [Reference matrices and Ecotope areas Annex to the Evaluation methodology Scheldt estuary Study on “Ecotope areas and intactness index”.
Maris, T., O. Beauchard, S. Van Damme, E. Van den Bergh, S. Wijnhoven & P. Meire. (2013). Referentiematrices en Ecotoopoppervlaktes Annex bij de Evaluatiemethodiek Schelde-estuarium Studie naar “Ecotoopoppervlaktes en intactness index”. [Reference matrices and Ecotope areas Annex to the Evaluation methodology Scheldt estuary Study on “Ecotope areas and intactness index”. Monitor Taskforce Publication Series, 2013-01. NIOZ: Yerseke. 35 pp.
Opercular dimorphism in Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Annelida: Serpulidae): cytochrome b genotype, sex, or size do not explain opercular spine arrangement
Fernandez-Rodriguez, Vanessa; Ponce, Roberto; Haines, Malia; Schulze, Anja; Kupriyanova, Elena & Pernet, Bruno. (2025). Opercular dimorphism in Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Annelida: Serpulidae): cytochrome b genotype, sex, or size do not explain opercular spine arrangement. Marine Biodiversity. 55(6):article 95: 1-5.
Adventive occurrence of the fouling serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Polychaeta) in New Zealand
Read, G. B.; Gordon, D. P. (1991). Adventive occurrence of the fouling serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Polychaeta) in New Zealand. N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 25: 269-273
The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods.
Hayward, P.J. & J.S. Ryland (Eds.). (1990). The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods. Clarendon Press: Oxford, UK. 627 pp.
Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]
Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France. 307 pp.
Globalisation in marine ecosystems: the story of non-indigenous marine species across European seas.
Streftaris, N., A. Zenetos & E. Papathanassiou. (2005). Globalisation in marine ecosystems: the story of non-indigenous marine species across European seas. Oceanogry and Marine Biology: an Annual Review. 43: 419-453.
Estudios anelidologicos. IX. La presencia de la Mercierella enigmatica Fauvel, en las costas Argentinas
Rioja, Enrique. (1943). Estudios anelidologicos. IX. La presencia de la Mercierella enigmatica Fauvel, en las costas Argentinas. Anales del Instituto de Biologia, Mexico. 14(2): 548-551.
Annotated list of marine alien species in the Mediterranean with records of the worst invasive species.
Zenetos, A., M.E. Cinar, M.A. Pancucci-Papadopoulou, J.G. Harmelin, G. Furnari, F. Andaloro, N. Bellou, N. Streftaris & H. Zibrowius. (2005). Annotated list of marine alien species in the Mediterranean with records of the worst invasive species. Mediterranean Marine Science. 6 (2): 63-118.
Phylum Annelida: bristleworms, earthworms, leeches
Glasby, Christopher J.; Read, Geoffrey B.; Lee, Kenneth E.; Blakemore, R.J.; Fraser, P.M.; Pinder, A.M.; Erséus, C.; Moser, W.E.; Burreson, E.M.; Govedich, F.R.; Davies, R.W.; Dawson, E.W. (2009). Phylum Annelida: bristleworms, earthworms, leeches. [Book chapter]. Chapt 17, pp. 312-358. in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch.
Polychaeta (Annelida) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 751–788 in D.L. Felder and D.K. Camp (eds.)
Fauchald, K.; Granados-Barba, A.; Solís-Weiss, V. (2009). Polychaeta (Annelida) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 751–788 in D.L. Felder and D.K. Camp (eds.). Gulf of Mexico. Origin, Waters, and Biota. Volume 1, Biodiversity. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.
Alien species in the Mediterranean Sea by 2010. A contribution to the application of European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Part I. Spatial distribution.
Zenetos, A., S. Gofas, M. Verlaque, M. Cinar, J. Garcia Raso, C. Bianchi, C. Morri, E. Azzurro, M. Bilecenoglu, C. Froglia, I. Siokou, D. Violanti, A. Sfriso, G. San Martin, A. Giangrande, T. Katagan, E. Ballesteros, A. Ramos-Espla, F. Mastrototaro, O. Ocana, A. Zingone, M,. Gambi & N. Streftaris. (2010). Alien species in the Mediterranean Sea by 2010. A contribution to the application of European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Part I. Spatial distribution. Mediterranean Marine Science. 11(2): 381-493.
Functional diversity of the macro-invertebrate community in the port area of Kerkennah Islands (Tunisia)
Aloui-Bejaoui, N.; Afli, A. (2012). Functional diversity of the macro-invertebrate community in the port area of Kerkennah Islands (Tunisia). Mediteranean Marine Science. 13 (1): 93-102.
Seeing Red: Alien species along the Mediterranean coast of Israel
Galil, B. (2007). Seeing Red: Alien species along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Aquatic Invasions. 2(4): 281-312.
Atlas of Marine Invasive Species in the NOWPAP Region
Lutaenko, K.A.; Furota, T.; Nakayama; S.; Shin, K.; Xu, J. (2013). Atlas of Marine Invasive Species in the NOWPAP Region. Beijing: NOWPAP DINRAC (Northwest Pacific Action Plan, Data and Information Network Regional Center). 189 pp.
Ecosystem vulnerability to alien and invasive species: a case study on marine habitats along the Italian coast.
Corriero, G., C. Pierri, S. Accoroni, G.Alabiso, G. Bavestrello, E. Barbone, M. Bastianini, A.M. Bazzoni, F. Bernardi Aubry, F. Boero, M.C. Buia, M. Cabrini, E. Camatti, F. Cardone, B. Cataletto, R. Cattaneo Vietti, E. Cecere, T. Cibic, P. Colangelo, A. De Olazabal, G. D'onghia, S. Finotto, N. Fiore, D. Fornasaro, S. Fraschetti, M.C. Gambi, A. Giangrande, C. Gravili, R. Guglielmo, C. Longo, M. Lorenti, A. Lugliè, P. Maiorano, M.G. Mazzocchi, M. Mercurio, F. Mastrototaro, M. Mistri, M. Monti, C. Munari, L. Musco, C. Nonnis-Marzano, B.M. Padedda, F.P. Patti, A. Petrocelli, S. Piraino, G. Portacci, A. Pugnetti, S. Pulina, T. Romagnoli, I. Rosati, D. Sarno, C.T. Satta, N. Sechi, S. Schiaparelli, B. Scipione, L. Sion, A. Terlizzi, V. Tirelli, C. Totti, A. Tursi, N. Ungaro, A. Zingone, V. Zupo & A. Basset. (2015). Ecosystem vulnerability to alien and invasive species: a case study on marine habitats along the Italian coast. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 26(2):392-409.
Current status and trends of biological invasions in the Lagoon of Venice, a hotspot of marine NIS introductions in the Mediterranean Sea.
Marchini, A., J. Ferrario, A. Sfriso & A. Occhipinti-Ambrogi. (2015). Current status and trends of biological invasions in the Lagoon of Venice, a hotspot of marine NIS introductions in the Mediterranean Sea. Biological Invasions. 17:2943–2962.
A generic revision of the brackish-water serpulid Ficopomatus Southern 1921 (Polychaeta: Serpulinae), including Mercierella Fauvel 1923, Sphaeropomatus Treadwell 1934, Mercierellopsis Rioja 1945 and Neopomatus Pillai
Hove, Harry A. ten and Weerdenburg, J. C. A. 1978. A generic revision of the brackish-water serpulid Ficopomatus Southern 1921 (Polychaeta: Serpulinae), including Mercierella Fauvel 1923, Sphaeropomatus Treadwell 1934, Mercierellopsis Rioja 1945 and Neopomatus Pillai 1960. Biological Bulletin.Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole 154: 96-120.
Establishment of the reef-forming tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Annelida: Serpulidae) in southern California
Pernet, B.; Barton, M.; Fitzhugh, K.; Harris, L.; Lizárraga, D.; Ohl, R.; Whitcraft, C. (2016). Establishment of the reef-forming tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Annelida: Serpulidae) in southern California. BioInvasions Records. 5(1): 13-19.
The elephant in the room: first record of invasive gregarious species of serpulids (calcareous tube annelids) in Majorca (western Mediterranean)
Grosse, Maël; Pérez, Roberto; Juan-Amengual, Mateo; Pons, Joan; Capa, María. (2021). The elephant in the room: first record of invasive gregarious species of serpulids (calcareous tube annelids) in Majorca (western Mediterranean). Scientia Marina. 85(1): 15-28.
First record of mass occurrence of the tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Serpulidae: Polychaeta) in coastal waters of the Baltic Sea
Hille, Sven; Kunz, Friederike; Markfort, Greta; Ritzenhofen, Lukas; Zettler, Michael. (2021). First record of mass occurrence of the tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Serpulidae: Polychaeta) in coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. BioInvasions Records. 10(4): 859-868.
Colonisation patterns and reef growth of the invasive serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus in a Greek coastal lagoon
Ntzoumani, Athanasia-Violeta; Faulwetter, Sarah; Nikolakopoulos, Konstantinos G.; Avramidis, Pavlos; Ramfos, Alexis. (2024). Colonisation patterns and reef growth of the invasive serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus in a Greek coastal lagoon. African Zoology. efirst: 1-16.
Resurgence of massive occurrence of the invasive polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) in the Caspian Sea
Sayyadoghly, Fariborz; Mirzajani, Alireza; Shabanipour, Nadir; Ten Hove, Harry A. (2024). Resurgence of massive occurrence of the invasive polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) in the Caspian Sea. Zoology in the Middle East. 70(3): 267-274.
First report of the mitogenome of the invasive reef-building polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Annelida: Serpulidae) and a cryptic lineage from the Japanese Archipelago
Kobayashi, Genki; Itoh, Hajime; Nakajima, Nobuyoshi. (2023). First report of the mitogenome of the invasive reef-building polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Annelida: Serpulidae) and a cryptic lineage from the Japanese Archipelago. Molecular Biology Reports. 50(9): 7183-7196.
The distribution and unexpected genetic diversity of the non-indigenous annelid Ficopomatus enigmaticus in California
Yee, Alison; Mackie, Joshua; Pernet, Bruno. (2019). The distribution and unexpected genetic diversity of the non-indigenous annelid Ficopomatus enigmaticus in California. Aquatic Invasions. 14(2): 250-266.
The arrival of the invasive tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Annelida: Serpulidae) to the Azores, possibly via migratory birds
Costa, Ana; Parente, ManuelaI.; de Frias Martins, António M. (2019). The arrival of the invasive tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Annelida: Serpulidae) to the Azores, possibly via migratory birds. BioInvasions Records. 8(2): 242-251.
Live Ficopomatus enigmaticus from Whitianga estuary, New Zealand
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - European waters (ERMS scope)
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Westerschelde
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Baie de la Seine
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - South Coast of England
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - West Coast of England
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Plymouth
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Wimereux
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Atlantic Europe
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Baltic sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Black Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Mediterranean Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - North Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - German Bight
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Greek Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Gulf of Mexico
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Kerkennah Islands
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - French part of the English Channel
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Israeli Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Adriatic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Slovenian part of the Adriatic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Italy
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Uruguayan Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - New Zealand
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Spanish part of the Bay of Biscay
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Celtic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Manche
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Alboran Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - North Atlantic
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - South Atlantic
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Mediterranean Sea - Western Basin
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United Kingdom part of the Celtic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United States
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - South Africa (country)
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - California
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Elkhorn Slough
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United States part of the North Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Argentinean Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Tunisian part of the Mediterranean Sea - Western Basin
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Spanish part of the Balearic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Japanese part of the Philippine Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Japanese part of the Inland Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Hawaiian part of the North Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Caspian Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United States part of the Gulf of Mexico
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United States part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - South African part of the South Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United Kingdom
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Taiwanese Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United Kingdom part of the English Channel
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Belgian part of the North Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - United Kingdom part of the North Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Marmara Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Aegean Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Israeli part of the Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Italian part of the Adriatic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Milnerton Lagoon
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Berg Rivier
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Oostende Harbour
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Nieuwpoort Harbour
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - South African part of the Indian Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Australian part of the Indian Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Australian part of the Bass Strait
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Danish part of the Kattegat
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Azores part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Argentinean part of the South Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Italian part of the Mediterranean Sea - Western Basin
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Italian part of the Tyrrhenian Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Italian part of the Ligurian Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Montenegrian part of the Adriatic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Algerian part of the Mediterranean Sea - Western Basin
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Tunisian part of the Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Greek part of the Ionian Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - Greek part of the Aegean Sea
Distribution for Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) - German part of the Baltic Sea
Alien
Species introduced by man into places out of their natural range of distribution
Origin uncertain
Species whose biological status is uncertain i.e. it is uncertain if the species is native or alien to the location
Invasive
Species that are known to be invasive- those species in whose cases evidence of impact has been recorded or which is spreading aggressively
Uncertain
Species whose invasiveness is uncertain
Of concern
Species that are demonstrating aggressive spread and there is concern about its spread OR species where some concern has been recorded- this may be due to known records of its invasiveness and impacts in other areas of their known introduced range
Not specified
A species whose 'invasiveness' has not been specified in its introduced range. The species is known to be present and has been reported but there is no comment on its invasiveness
Reported
Species that are 'reported' to be present but with no further information
Established
Species that have become established in their introduced range
Established and expanding
Species that have become established in their introduced range and are known to be increasing in abundance and expanding their range
Taxon Description Functional group for Taxon denoted by name 883
Taxon Description Body size for Taxon denoted by name 130988
Taxon Description Supporting structure & enclosure for Taxon denoted by name 988
Taxon Description AMBI ecological group for Taxon denoted by name 130988
Taxon Description AMBI ecological group for Taxon denoted by name 155394
Taxon Description Feeding method for Taxon denoted by name 988
Taxon Description Nomenclature code for Taxon denoted by name 2
Specification Context: Life stage adult
Specification Context: Life stage larva
Specification Context: Unit mm
Specification Context: Type unknown
Specification Context: Dimension diameter
Specification Context: Locality (MRGID) 1920
Specification Context: Type minimum
Specification Context: Dimension length
Specification Context: Type maximum
Specification Context: Structure Solid
Specification Context: Composition Calcareous