''Aeolosoma'' is a genus of minute
annelid
The annelids (Annelida , from Latin ', "little ring"), also known as the segmented worms, are a large phylum, with over 22,000 extant species including ragworms, earthworms, and leeches. The species exist in and have adapted to various ecol ...
worms, variously attributed either to
oligochaete
Oligochaeta () is a subclass of animals in the phylum Annelida, which is made up of many types of aquatic and terrestrial worms, including all of the various earthworms. Specifically, oligochaetes comprise the terrestrial megadrile earthworms ...
s or
polychaete
Polychaeta () is a paraphyletic class (biology), class of generally marine invertebrate, marine annelid worms, common name, commonly called bristle worms or polychaetes (). Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that ...
s.
Unlike most polychaetes, they reside in
freshwater
Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. Although the term specifically excludes seawater and brackish water, it does include ...
environments in various parts of the world.
''Aeolosoma'' are transparent worms, very thin and of the length of 1.5–2 mm. They usually reproduce asexually. This is done by paratomy (fragmentation), when the posterior segments are separated from the parent worm. It starts when the worm reaches a certain number of millimeters (depending on the species). Only one species, ''Aeolosoma singulare'', is known to reproduce sexually.
''Aeolosoma'' feed on microalgae, microorganisms and detritus. Their mouth acts like a small vacuum cleaner, which helps them suck up their food into their system.
Species
Below is a list of species of the ''Aeolosoma'' genus:
* ''
Aeolosoma beddardi
''Aeolosoma'' is a genus of minute annelid worms, variously attributed either to oligochaetes or polychaetes. Unlike most polychaetes, they reside in freshwater
Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water con ...
''
* ''
Aeolosoma headleyi
''Aeolosoma'' is a genus of minute annelid worms, variously attributed either to oligochaetes or polychaetes. Unlike most polychaetes, they reside in freshwater environments in various parts of the world.
''Aeolosoma'' are transparent worms, ve ...
''
* ''
Aeolosoma hemprichi
''Aeolosoma hemprichi'' is an aquatic annelid
The annelids (Annelida , from Latin ', "little ring"), also known as the segmented worms, are a large phylum, with over 22,000 extant species including ragworms, earthworms, and leeches. The ...
''
* ''
Aeolosoma leidyi''
* ''
Aeolosoma niveum''
* ''
Aeolosoma tenebrarum''
* ''
Aeolosoma variegatum''
Gallery
File:Малощетинковый червь Aeolosoma поедает частицы ила.webm, Aeolosoma hemprichi Video
File:Aeolosoma under the microscope.jpg, Aeolosoma hemprichi Photo
File:Aeolosoma_under_the_microscope_video.webm, Aeolosoma hemprichi Video
References
Polychaete genera
Annelids
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