Living Beings
    Source-identified Lumbricus terrestris; Documentary organism photograph. Framed for display
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    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

    Field guide · species

    Common Earthworm

    Lumbricus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758

    What does the authority mean?

    The authority credits the formal scientific description of the name. A year records publication of that description.

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    AnimaliaClitellataCrassiclitellataLumbricidae

    This large earthworm maintains deep burrows and pulls surface litter into the soil. Its activity mixes organic material with mineral soil and creates channels used by air and water.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

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    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    4. PhylumAnnelida
    5. ClassClitellata
    6. OrderCrassiclitellata
    7. FamilyLumbricidae
    8. GenusLumbricus
    9. SpeciesLumbricus terrestris
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Opisthokonta clade
    4. Metazoa kingdom
    5. Eumetazoa clade
    6. Bilateria clade
    7. Protostomia clade
    8. Spiralia clade
    9. Lophotrochozoa clade
    10. Annelida phylum
    11. Clitellata class
    12. Oligochaeta subclass
    13. Crassiclitellata order
    14. Lumbricina suborder
    15. Lumbricidae family
    16. Lumbricinae subfamily
    17. Lumbricus genus
    18. Lumbricus terrestris complex no rank
    19. Lumbricus terrestris species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Physical traits

    A segmented, elongated body carries small bristles used in movement. Mature worms have a distinct clitellum associated with reproduction.

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    Habitat and range

    Moist soils with access to surface organic material support its burrowing and feeding habits.

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    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.

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    Behavior and activity

    Worms commonly forage near their burrow entrance and withdraw into the soil when disturbed.

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    Reproduction and life cycle

    Individuals are hermaphrodites that exchange sperm. Fertilized eggs develop in cocoons produced through the clitellum.

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    Geographic distribution

    Native to parts of Europe, the species has been transported elsewhere. Introduced earthworms can alter ecosystems that developed without them.

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    Ecological role

    Burrowing and litter incorporation modify soil structure and nutrient cycling; these effects depend on the receiving ecosystem.

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    Distinctive adaptations

    Muscular segments and bristles provide traction, while moist skin enables gas exchange.

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    Conservation

    The ecological effects of an introduced population differ from conservation concerns in its native range. This account assigns no formal threat category.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗ · Scientific source 3 ↗

    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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