Worms (Oligochaeta)
| Life history | Aquatic worms have a life span between several weeks to years. Aquatic worms reproduce sexually or by dividing their bodies. Mating usually occurs in the late summer to early fall. |
|---|---|
| Diversity | There are about 10 different families of aquatic worms in North America. |
| Distinguishing characteristics |
Body is soft, cylindrical, and long. The body is divided into many segments (usually 40-200). No suckers or eye spots are present. |
| Habitat & Feeding | Aquatic worms live in lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands. Aquatic worms are detritivores (eat decomposing plant and animal material), algivores (eat algae), and predators. |
| Water quality indicator status | Some aquatic worms are very tolerant of pollution (long red ones) while others are very pollution sensitive. The presence of high numbers of pollution tolerant worms at a site may indicate polluted conditions. |
| Fun facts |
|