Earthworms: Oligochaeta - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Conservation Status, River Worm (diplocardia Riparia): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, EARTHWORMS AND PEOPLE
soil soils eat plant
Earthworms are found worldwide. They do not occur in deserts, polar regions, or in strongly acid soils. A few species have been widely distributed by humans.
Most earthworms live in the soil, but some prefer the mud along the shores of fresh or salty bodies of water. Depending on species, many earthworms live in the upper leaf litter layer, topsoil, or in deeper layers in the soil. Others live high above the forest floor in soils that accumulate among the branches of tree canopies in tropical rainforests.
Earthworms eat dead and decomposing leaves, decaying roots, and other bits of plant material, or detritus (dih-TRY-tuhs), in the soil. Worms living in leaf litter layer, upper soil, or in soils in tree canopies eat freshly dead plant materials. Other species, such as the European night crawler, always live in deep burrows. They come up to the surface to also eat freshly dead plant tissues. Still other species remain deep in the soil, where they eat long-buried bits of detritus.
Earthworms are very important because they improve and maintain soils, helping plants to grow. Their burrowing activities not only allow air into the soil, but also provide food for growing plants by mixing soil with bits of plant materials. Several species of earthworms are raised to collect their waste for use as a high-quality compost for gardening. Others species are raised and sold as fish bait.
Additional Topics
The segmented bodies of earthworms measure up to 19.68 feet (6 meters) and resemble a tube within a tube. The outer body wall is made up of two muscle layers. The outer layer is made up of a series of circles wrapped around the body, while the inner layer of muscle runs along the length of the body. This inner layer shortens or extends the length of the body. Inside the body is the digestive tract…
Earthworms defend themselves in a variety of ways. Those living in tunnels escape danger by quickly withdrawing into their burrows. Those living near or on the surface have the ability to move quickly. They jump and thrash wildly about and will even purposely break off a few tail segments when threatened by a predator. Species living deep in the soil have few defensive behaviors. Some will twist a…
Seven species of earthworms are listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The Australian Lake Pedder earthworm is listed as Extinct, or no longer living. Phallodrilus macmasterae from Bermuda is listed as Critically Endangered, or facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Three of the four species considered Vulnerable live in the United States. Vulnerable means the species are…
Physical characteristics: The river worm has a dark brown body 4.7 to 7.8 inches (120 to 200 millimeters) in length. It has small pairs of lengthwise grooves underneath the body. Geographic range: The river worm is found in the Central United States, including Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Habitat: River worms live in fine soils washed up along river banks and beneath stands of s…
Physical characteristics: The head of the Gippsland giant worm is dark purple. The rest of the body is pinkish gray. They measure up to 31.5 to 39.3 inches (80 to 100 centimeters) in length and have small pairs of markings underneath the body. Geographic range: The Gippsland giant worm lives only in the Bass River Valley of Victoria, Australia. Habitat: This species burrows in clay soils along str…
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