Dry rot species of fungi cause brown rot decay, preferentially removing cellulose and hemicellulose from the timber leaving a brittle matrix of modified lignin. The term "dry rot" is somewhat misleading, as both species of fungi "Serpula lacrymans" and "Meruliporia incrassata" require an elevated moisture content to initiate an attack on timber (28–30%). Once established, the fungi can remain active in timber with a moisture content of more than 20%. At relative humidities below 86 percent, growth of "Serpula lacrymans" is inhibited, but it can stay dormant at relative humidities down to 76 percent. These relative humidities correspond to equilibrium moisture contents
Serpula but comparison with other serpulids suggests it may be between six days and two months, although in other species the period has been shown to vary with season, salinity or food availability, and delayed settling may cause reduced discrimination of substrata during settling (see ten Hove, 1979 for additional references). Worms of the genus "Serpula" are filter feeders, and possess a complete digestive system. Like other polychaetes, "Serpula" excrete with fully developed nephridia. Click here to see more photographs of various specimens of the genus "Serpula". Serpula Serpula (also known as calcareous tubeworm, serpulid tubeworm, fanworm, or plume worm) is