| Common Name |
Aquatic Earthworm |
| Phylum |
Annelida |
| Class |
Oligochaeta |
| Order |
|
| Family |
|
| Description |
1-30mm, up to 150mm. The body is soft, muscular, and cylindrical. The body consists of round, ring-like segments. Oligochaeta do not have suckers or eyespots. |
| Habitat |
Most commonly found in lentic-littoral, lentic-profundal, or lotic-depositional habitats. Most common species live in silt and mud in ponds, stagnant pools, lakes, and slow-moving sections of streams. |
| Feeding Information |
Most Oligochaeta are collector-gatherers, but a few are engulfer-predators. Most digest fine detritus present in mud as they burrow through. Some feed on bacteria, protozoa and algae by extending their pharynx that has a lower sticky surface to pick up particles. A few prey on small invertebrates. |
| Water Quality Tolerance |
The most well-known kinds (long and red) are very tolerant of pollution. Oligochaeta are only reliable indicators of pollution when they (especially the bright red kinds) represent the majority of collected invertebrates. |
| References |
Voshell & Wright. 2002. |
