Dry rot The term "dry rot", or "true dry rot", refers to the decay of timbers from only certain species of fungi that are thought to provide their own source of moisture and nutrients to cause decay in otherwise relatively dry timber. However, there has been no published experimental evidence to support the phenomenon. In modern texts, the term 'dry rot' is used in reference to damage inflicted by either: "Serpula lacrymans" (formerly "Merulius lacrymans") predominantly in the United Kingdom and northern Europe; and/or "Meruliporia incrassata" (which has a number of synonyms, including "Poria incrassata" and "Serpula incrassata") in North America. Both
Serpula vermicularis urchins "Echinus esculentus" and "Psammechinus miliaris", the brittle star "Ophiothrix fragilis", the starfish "Asterias rubens" and the whelk "Buccinum undatum". Red algae grow on the reef in shallow water. The tunicate "Pyura microcosmus" occurs on these reefs, but is seldom seen in other habitats. A large number of cryptic species of microfauna shelter among the tubes. Predators of the worm include sea urchins, starfish, and the wrasses "Crenilabrus melops" and "Ctenolabrus rupestris". Serpula vermicularis Serpula vermicularis, known by common names including the calcareous tubeworm, fan worm, plume worm or red tube worm, is a species of segmented marine polychaete worm