Living BeingsCompare species
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
African Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Common Earthworm | African Baobab |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | A segmented, elongated body carries small bristles used in movement. Mature worms have a distinct clitellum associated with reproduction. | Thick, fibrous bark surrounds a broad trunk. Each compound leaf has several leaflets radiating from a central point. |
| Habitat and range | Moist soils with access to surface organic material support its burrowing and feeding habits. | A terrestrial tree of tropical Africa, it is adapted to seasonally dry conditions and is also planted in gardens and settlements. |
| Diet and nutrition | Surface leaf litter is an important resource. Laboratory observations of seedling damage do not make living plants its normal replacement for litter. | Leaves produce sugars through photosynthesis. Water and mineral nutrients are taken up through the roots. |
| Behavior and activity | Worms commonly forage near their burrow entrance and withdraw into the soil when disturbed. | Data unavailable |
| Reproduction and life cycle | Individuals are hermaphrodites that exchange sperm. Fertilized eggs develop in cocoons produced through the clitellum. | Large, hanging white flowers develop into capsules containing seeds embedded in pale, powdery pulp. New trees can be grown from seed. |
| Geographic distribution | Native to parts of Europe, the species has been transported elsewhere. Introduced earthworms can alter ecosystems that developed without them. | Native to Africa and cultivated elsewhere. The accompanying photograph shows a planted specimen in Madagascar; that location should not be confused with the native range of every baobab species. |
| Ecological role | Burrowing and litter incorporation modify soil structure and nutrient cycling; these effects depend on the receiving ecosystem. | Its flowers, fruit and extensive woody structure provide biological resources. The familiar name baobab also applies to other species, which should not be confused with this one. |
| Distinctive adaptations | Muscular segments and bristles provide traction, while moist skin enables gas exchange. | A substantial trunk and drought-resistant growth form help distinguish this tree from many humid-forest trees. |
| Conservation | The ecological effects of an introduced population differ from conservation concerns in its native range. This account assigns no formal threat category. | Data unavailable |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: Eukaryota.
Sources from both profiles
Common Earthworm
- Lumbricus terrestris · NCBI Taxonomy ↗
- Experimental evaluation of herbivory on live plant seedlings by the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. in the presence and absence of soil surface litter ↗
- Lumbricus terrestris — University of California, Davis, SAREP ↗
- Lumbricus terrestris — IUCN Global Invasive Species Database ↗