Living Beings

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    Source-identified Lumbricus terrestris; Documentary organism photograph.

    Common Earthworm

    Lumbricus terrestris

    Source-identified Acropora millepora; Documentary organism photograph.

    Acropora millepora

    Acropora millepora

    Lumbricus herculeus (left) and Lumbricus terrestris (right).png · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Documentary organism photograph. James S.W., Porco D., Decaëns T., Richard B., Rougerie R., Erséus C. · CC BY 4.0

    Acropora millepora, GBR.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Documentary organism photograph. Petra Lundgren, Juan C Vera, Lesa Peplow, Stephanie Manel and Madeleine JH van Oppen. · CC BY 4.0

    Evidence from the profiles

    Compare their characteristics

    TraitCommon EarthwormAcropora millepora
    Physical traitsA segmented, elongated body carries small bristles used in movement. Mature worms have a distinct clitellum associated with reproduction.Colonies form branching structures covered by small skeletal cups that house polyps. Colony color alone is insufficient for secure species identification.
    Habitat and rangeMoist soils with access to surface organic material support its burrowing and feeding habits.Shallow, well-lit marine reef environments support the coral and its photosynthetic partners.
    Diet and nutritionSurface leaf litter is an important resource. Laboratory observations of seedling damage do not make living plants its normal replacement for litter.Polyps capture small suspended food, while algal symbionts contribute photosynthetic products.
    Behavior and activityWorms commonly forage near their burrow entrance and withdraw into the soil when disturbed.Tentacles and mucus help the colony interact with surrounding seawater. Recognition mechanisms influence responses to microbes.
    Reproduction and life cycleIndividuals are hermaphrodites that exchange sperm. Fertilized eggs develop in cocoons produced through the clitellum.Colonies grow by producing additional polyps. Sexual reproduction can release gametes that develop into settling larvae.
    Geographic distributionNative to parts of Europe, the species has been transported elsewhere. Introduced earthworms can alter ecosystems that developed without them.The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific reef region. Species-level locality records should accompany detailed range mapping.
    Ecological roleBurrowing and litter incorporation modify soil structure and nutrient cycling; these effects depend on the receiving ecosystem.Skeletal growth contributes reef structure and habitat. Symbiotic interactions are central to energy supply and colony health.
    Distinctive adaptationsMuscular segments and bristles provide traction, while moist skin enables gas exchange.A colonial body and partnerships with photosynthetic cells support growth in well-lit reef environments.
    ConservationThe ecological effects of an introduced population differ from conservation concerns in its native range. This account assigns no formal threat category.Thermal stress, bleaching and degradation of reef habitat are concerns. A source on molecular recognition does not establish a current Red List category.

    Classification

    Shared ancestry

    Closest shared taxon: Eumetazoa.

    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    phylumAnnelidaclassClitellataorderCrassiclitellatafamilyLumbricidaegenusLumbricusspeciesLumbricus terrestris
    phylumCnidariaclassAnthozoaorderScleractiniafamilyAcroporidaegenusAcroporaspeciesAcropora millepora
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