Living Beings

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    Source-identified Lumbricus terrestris; Documentary organism photograph.

    Common Earthworm

    Lumbricus terrestris

    Source-identified Caracal auratus; documentary image

    African Golden Cat

    Caracal auratus

    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

    Evidence from the profiles

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    TraitCommon EarthwormAfrican Golden Cat
    Physical traitsA segmented, elongated body carries small bristles used in movement. Mature worms have a distinct clitellum associated with reproduction.The body is robust and the coat varies between reddish and grayish forms. Spotting can be more visible on some parts of the body.
    Habitat and rangeMoist soils with access to surface organic material support its burrowing and feeding habits.Dense African forest and secondary growth provide cover and hunting habitat.
    Diet and nutritionSurface leaf litter is an important resource. Laboratory observations of seedling damage do not make living plants its normal replacement for litter.Rodents and other forest mammals are important prey. Birds and additional small animals may also be taken.
    Behavior and activityWorms commonly forage near their burrow entrance and withdraw into the soil when disturbed.It is generally solitary and difficult to observe in dense cover. Sparse observations should not be treated as a complete account of its daily behavior.
    Reproduction and life cycleIndividuals are hermaphrodites that exchange sperm. Fertilized eggs develop in cocoons produced through the clitellum.Data unavailable
    Geographic distributionNative to parts of Europe, the species has been transported elsewhere. Introduced earthworms can alter ecosystems that developed without them.The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Benin?, Burundi?, Gambia?, Guinea-Bissau?, Kenya?, Rwanda?, Senegal?, Sudan?, Togo?.
    Ecological roleBurrowing and litter incorporation modify soil structure and nutrient cycling; these effects depend on the receiving ecosystem.Data unavailable
    Distinctive adaptationsMuscular segments and bristles provide traction, while moist skin enables gas exchange.Data unavailable
    ConservationThe 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: Bilateria.

    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    phylumAnnelidaclassClitellataorderCrassiclitellatafamilyLumbricidaegenusLumbricusspeciesLumbricus terrestris
    phylumChordataclassMammaliaorderCarnivorafamilyFelidaegenusCaracalspeciesCaracal auratus
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    Sources from both profiles

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