How to you tell a enchytraeid from a lumbricidae: the pot worm vs earthworm dilemma? I probably only need to separate out invasive Dendrobaena octaedra. from a native enchytraeid, any suggestions? Is there anything I could see in a alcohol preserved specimen? Both are small usually less than 2cm in length
Pot worms are tiny unpigmented worms (except some rare cases) earthworms are more robust and e.g. D. octaedra is dark red-violet. Enchytraeids (when they are adult) possess clitellum on/around segment 12, lumbricids have longer clitellum and positioned more tailward (from segment 20 or more back).
Hi Robin,
another hint my be the shape of the segments. The ratio of hight to length of one segment of pot worms is about 2:1 and only slightly curved in earthworms it is about 8:1 and strong convex curved.
Best regards,
Thomas
Dear author,
If I understood you correctly, you had alcohol preserved worms. It means the color isn't useful. I'd advice you to use their chaetae (hairs) as distinguishing trait. Enchytraeids are rather small, that's why maybe you'll need a stereoloupe or something like that. Earthworms have 2 simple chaetae per bundle in each row. Enchytraeids possess chaetae are different shape and number.
Hope, it would be helpfull
That's true, however enchytraeid setae are very hard to see under even dissecting microscope.
D.octaedra is "octaedra" because it is octahedral in cross-section. This is in fact a very distinctive feature. There are clear ridges along eight evenly spaced rows of setae. Nothing similar exists in enchytraeids.
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