annelids
Worms with segments
Annelids are segmented worms—earthworms, leeches, and marine worms like lugworms and ragworms.
The name refers to their ring-like body segments, each containing repeated internal structures.
Annelids live in soil, fresh water, and oceans, playing essential roles in aerating earth and decomposing organic matter.
Earthworms are the annelids most gardeners encounter.
Division into sections
- coelomMesoderm-lined internal space
- setaeStiff hairlike structures
- clitellumWorm's reproductive band
- hydrostatic skeletonFluid-filled cavity providing support
peristalsis · somite · musculature · hemoglobin · ganglia · septa · cuticle
Soil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- vermicompostWorm-digested organic material
- castingsShaped molten material
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
- aerationInfusing with oxygen
humus · decomposition · detritivores · soil structure · organic matter · vermiculture · composting · soil fertility
Soft-bodied invertebrates, often shelled
- arthropodsJointed-limb invertebrates
- nematodesCylindrical unsegmented worms
- echinodermsSpiny-skinned marine invertebrates
- roundwormsUnsegmented parasitic worms
Segmented marine worms with setae
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- leechesBlood-drinking segmented worms
- lugwormsBurrowing marine worms
- tubewormsSedentary marine annelids
Large worms for bait
- bloodwormsRed midge larvae
- sandwormsWorm-like desert burrowers
- lugwormsBurrowing marine worms
- wax wormsMoth larvae infesting beehives
hook · angling · fishing · live bait · freshwater · saltwater · bottom fishing · panfish
Relating to the sea
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- terrestrialRelating to land
- benthicOf the sea bottom
- intertidalZone between high and low watermarks
sediment · burrows · tubes · filter feeders · deposit feeders · scavengers · predatory · symbiotic
segmentation
Division into sections
hydrostatic skeleton · peristalsis · somite · musculature · hemoglobin · ganglia · septa · cuticle
earthworms
Soil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- vermicompostWorm-digested organic material
- castingsShaped molten material
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
aeration · humus · decomposition · detritivores · soil structure · organic matter · vermiculture · composting · soil fertility · tunnel networks
mollusks
Soft-bodied invertebrates, often shelled
- arthropodsJointed-limb invertebrates
- nematodesCylindrical unsegmented worms
- echinodermsSpiny-skinned marine invertebrates
bristleworms
Segmented marine worms with setae
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- leechesBlood-drinking segmented worms
- lugwormsBurrowing marine worms
tubeworms · fanworms · fireworms · bloodworms · nightcrawlers
nightcrawlers
Large worms for bait
- bloodwormsRed midge larvae
- sandwormsWorm-like desert burrowers
- lugwormsBurrowing marine worms
wax worms · hook · angling · fishing · live bait · freshwater · saltwater · bottom fishing · panfish · trout
marine
Relating to the sea
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- terrestrialRelating to land
- benthicOf the sea bottom
intertidal · sediment · burrows · tubes · filter feeders · deposit feeders · scavengers · predatory · symbiotic · reef ecosystems
- animalscat, dog, bird, fish, cow
- living thingsplants, animals, animal, creature, birds
- organismsplants, animals, human, dog, fungi
- invertebratesinvertebrate, arthropod, arthropods, mollusk, crustacean
- wormsearthworm, earthworms, nightcrawler, roundworms, flatworms
- Cladesmammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects
annelidsflatworms
Bilaterally symmetric unsegmented invertebrates
roundworms · nematodes · tapeworms · flukes · planarians