On the finding of a mass occurrence of Serpula narconensis Baird, 1885 (Polychaeta, Serpulidae) in South Georgia (Antarctica)

Abstract

A new “reef ” of the serpulid polychaete Serpula narconensis Baird, 1885 is reported from the South Georgia Island shelf. This particular mass occurrence is the second serpulid “reef” reported in the Antarctic region. Its location, at 91- to 105-m depth, is very different from those serpulid reefs previously reported, usually sited at intertidal zone or at low depth, and this may be one of the largest, if not the largest, serpulid reef in the world.