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Aquatic Worms
(Phylum Annelida)

Instructions: For a larger view of the specimens below, click on an image. The enlarged image will appear on your screen in a new window. Close this new window when you are through viewing it. See note below regarding identification of macros. Further information on the identification and ecology of aquatic macroinvertebrates can be found from the materials mentioned on the Macro Resources Page.

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Worm Taxa:
Aquatic Earthworm | Leeches | Branchiobdellid (Crayfish Worm)


Aquatic Earthworm (Class Oligochaeta)
Tolerance:
tolerant

earthworm
100.jpg
(45 mm)
Salmon Creek
Hockinson, WA
May 2004

earthworm
101.jpg
(45 mm)
Salmon Creek
Hockinson, WA
May 2004

earthworm
55.jpg
(25 mm)
Salmon Creek tributary
Venersborg, WA
December 2004

earthworm
2.jpg

East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
earthworm
efl4-03-05_48.jpg
(15 mm)
East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
April 2005
earthworm
up_efl_14.jpg
(45 mm)
East Fork Lewis River
upper watershed
September 2005
earthworm
up_efl_47.jpg
(25 mm)
East Fork Lewis River
upper watershed
September 2005
up_efl_47.jpg
earthworm
efl_spr06-127.jpg
notice the extended proboscis
East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
Sring 2006
earthworm
efl_spr06-132.jpg
notice the extended proboscis
East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
Sring 2006
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Leech (Class Hirudinea)
Tolerance:
tolerant
thumbs/3.jpg
3.jpg
(extended)
Pond
Clark County, WA
thumbs/193.jpg
193.jpg
(contracted)
Pond
Clark County, WA
thumbs/196.jpg
196.jpg
(curled)
Pond
Clark County, WA
leech
tlp5-11-05_75.jpg
(10 mm contracted -
20 mm extended;
15 mm swimming )
Tiger Lily pond
Clark Co., WA
leech
tlp5-11-05_73.jpg
(10 mm contracted -
20 mm extended;
15 mm swimming )
Tiger Lily pond
Clark Co., WA

leech

Todd Rd. pond
Cowlitz Co., WA
Spring 2010
leech

Todd Rd. pond
Cowlitz Co., WA
Spring 2010
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Branchiobdellid (Crayfish) Worm (Order Branchiobdellida)
Tolerance
: tolerant
branchiobdellid
efl4-04-05_28.jpg
(6 mm)
East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
April 2005
branchiobdellid
efl4-04-05_24.jpg
(6 mm)
East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
April 2005
branchiobdellid
efl4-04-05_26.jpg
(6 mm)
East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
April 2005)
crayfish & worms
efl_spr05/crayfish3.jpg
attached to crayfish
East Fork Lewis River
Lewisville Park
April 2005
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Note from author: Considerable effort has been made to be as accurate as possible in the identification of the organisms. While I am fairly confident of the ID (at least for the major taxon levels), I cannot guarantee complete accuracy. In particular, you will notice that some organisms are labeled with a (*). This indicates a probable classification based on general traits (shape, size and color) of the organism and location from which it was found. I do not possess the level of expertise nor did I conduct the kind of detailed inspection to provide a conclusive ID -- consider these efforts at classification as my "best guess" based on available information and, in some instance, outside assistance. (If you notice any errors or omissions, please contact me at the email address provided at the bottom of this page.)

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modified: June 2010