Living Beings

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    Source-identified Lumbricus terrestris; Documentary organism photograph.

    Common Earthworm

    Lumbricus terrestris

    Source-identified Loxodonta africana; Documentary organism photograph; source identification retained.

    African Savanna Elephant

    Loxodonta africana

    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

    African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), Masai Mara.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Documentary organism photograph; source identification retained. Hobbyfotowiki · CC0

    Evidence from the profiles

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    TraitCommon EarthwormAfrican Savanna Elephant
    Physical traitsA segmented, elongated body carries small bristles used in movement. Mature worms have a distinct clitellum associated with reproduction.Broad ears, a long trunk and column-like legs give the animal its familiar outline. The trunk tip has two finger-like projections. Both sexes can develop tusks.
    Habitat and rangeMoist soils with access to surface organic material support its burrowing and feeding habits.Savannas and open woodland provide a shifting mixture of browse, grass, shade and drinking water. Seasonal water availability influences the places that herds use.
    Diet and nutritionSurface leaf litter is an important resource. Laboratory observations of seedling damage do not make living plants its normal replacement for litter.Grasses, leaves, bark and other plant material make up its diet. The trunk gathers food and moves it to the mouth.
    Behavior and activityWorms commonly forage near their burrow entrance and withdraw into the soil when disturbed.Female relatives and their young form long-lasting social groups. Older females hold knowledge of familiar routes and resources; adult males have a different pattern of association.
    Reproduction and life cycleIndividuals are hermaphrodites that exchange sperm. Fertilized eggs develop in cocoons produced through the clitellum.Calves are born alive and depend on milk and extended social care. Learning from other elephants is an important part of growing up.
    Geographic distributionNative to parts of Europe, the species has been transported elsewhere. Introduced earthworms can alter ecosystems that developed without them.Native to sub-Saharan Africa. This account follows the savanna-elephant species concept rather than treating all African elephants as one species.
    Ecological roleBurrowing and litter incorporation modify soil structure and nutrient cycling; these effects depend on the receiving ecosystem.Feeding and movement alter vegetation, and dung transfers seeds and nutrients. Habitat fragmentation and killing for ivory threaten populations.
    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
    phylumChordataclassMammaliaorderProboscideafamilyElephantidaegenusLoxodontaspeciesLoxodonta africana
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