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Enchytraeidae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Pot worm)

Enchytraeidae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Clade: Sedentaria
Class: Clitellata
Order: Enchytraeida
Family: Enchytraeidae
Vejdovský, 1879

Enchytraeidae is a family of microdrile oligochaetes. They resemble small earthworms and include both terrestrial species known as potworms that live in highly organic terrestrial environments, as well as some that are marine.[1] More than 700 species in about 30 genera have been described worldwide, although the true diversity of the family is thought to be much higher.[2] Most species are small, whitish or transparent worms only a few millimetres long that feed on decaying organic matter and the microorganisms colonizing it, making them important contributors to decomposition and nutrient cycling in soils.[3] The peculiar genus Mesenchytraeus is known as "ice worms", as they spend the majority of their lives within glaciers, only rising to the surface at certain points in the summer.[4][5] Enchytraeidae also includes the Grindal worm (Enchytraeus buchholzi), which is commercially bred as aquarium fish food.[6] Certain varieties of Enchytraeidae are partially responsible for the notorious "dark earth" archaeological layers in post-Roman Era British urban centers such as London.[7]

Genera

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Enchytraeidae contains the following genera:[8]

References

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  1. ↑ Burgers, A. (2012-12-02). Soil Biology. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-14658-6.
  2. ↑ Schmelz, Rüdiger M.; Collado, Rut (2015). "Checklist of taxa of Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta): an update". Soil Organisms. 87 (2): 149–152.
  3. ↑ "Edaphobase: Enchytraeidae". Senckenberg Society for Nature Research. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Hartzell, Paula L.; Nghiem, Jefferson V.; Richio, Kristina J.; Shain, Daniel H. (2011-02-15). "Distribution and phylogeny of glacier ice worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus and Mesenchytraeus solifugus rainierensis)". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 83 (9): 1206–1213. doi:10.1139/z05-116.
  5. ↑ Shain, Daniel H.; Mason, Tarin A.; Farrell, Angela H.; Michalewicz, Lisa A. (2001). "Distribution and behavior of ice worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus) in south-central Alaska". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 79 (10): 1813–1821. doi:10.1139/cjz-79-10-1813. ISSN 1480-3283.
  6. ↑ Bouguenec, V. (1992-03-15). "Oligochaetes (Tubificidae and Enchytraeidae) as food in fish rearing: a review and preliminary tests". Aquaculture. 102 (3): 201–217. doi:10.1016/0044-8486(92)90149-F. ISSN 0044-8486.
  7. ↑ Yule, Brian (September 1990). "The 'dark earth' and late Roman London". Antiquity. 64 (244): 625–626. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00078546. ISSN 0003-598X. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "Enchytraeidae d'Udekem, 1855". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. 2026. Retrieved 2026-07-30.


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