Classifying Worm Species. Worms species come in three general categories Litter dwelling (Epigeic) ...
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Transcript of Classifying Worm Species. Worms species come in three general categories Litter dwelling (Epigeic) ...
Worms species come in three general categories Litter dwelling (Epigeic) Soil dwelling (Endogenic) Deep burrowing (Anecic)
Identifying Adult Worms Adult worms have a thickened segment
in their mid section that houses their reproductive organs, the clitellum
Litter Dwelling Earthworms Do not build permanent
burrows Live in and consume the
leaf-litter layers of the forest floor
Are typically the kind of worm you would find in a compost heap
Relatively small - between 2 cm and 7 cm long
Soil Dwelling Earthworms Build permanent burrows
and rarely come to the surface
Are unpigmented Only come to the surface
if there is very heavy rainfall
Deep Burrowing Earthworms Burrow deep into the
ground (up to six feet) Burrows are covered by a
pile of feces and leaves called a “midden”
Deeply pigmented with a lighter tail
Adults can grow up to 15 cm long
Typically used as fishing bait