Earthworm

Earthworm is the common reference for the larger members of the Oligochaeta (which is either a class or subclass depending on the author) in the phylum Annelida. In classical systems they were placed in the order Opisthopora, on the basis of the male pores opening to the outside of body posterior to the female pores, even though the male segments are anterior to the female. Cladistic studies have supported placing them instead in the Haplotaxida, which also includes the family Haplotaxidae. Folk names for earthworm include "dew-worm"?"night crawler" and "angleworm."

Ecology

Earthworm populations depend on both physical and chemical properties of the soil (such as soil temperature, moisture, pH, salts, aeration and texture), as well as available food, and the ability of the species to reproduce and disperse.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of the most important environmental factors is pH, but earthworms vary in their preferences. Most earthworms favor neutral to slightly acid soil. However, Lumbricus terrestris are still present in ph of 5.4 and Dendrobaena octaedra at pH of 4.3 and some Megascolecidae are present in extremely acid humic soils. Soil pH may also influence the numbers of worms that go into diapause. The more acid the soil, the sooner worms went into diapause, and remain in diapause the longest time at pH of 6.4.

Related Topics:
PH - Dendrobaena octaedra - Megascolecidae

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Earthworms form the base of many food chains. They are preyed upon by many species of birds, e.g. starlings, thrushes, gulls, crows, and robins. Mammals such as hedgehogs and moles eat many earthworms as well. Earthworms are also eaten by many invertebrates such as Ground beetles and other beetles, snails, slugs and flatworms. Earthworms have many internal parasites including Protozoa, Platyhelminthes, nematodes. They are found in many part of earthworms' bodies like the blood, seminal vesicles, coelom, intestine, or in the cocoons.

Related Topics:
Bird - Starling - Thrushes - Gull - Crow - Robin - Hedgehog - Mole - Ground beetle - Beetle - Snail - Slug - Flatworm - Parasite

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~