Structure And Types Of Worms

Worms are soft-bodied, slender and elongated invertebrate animals. They do not have a backbone. They have a multilayered clitellum, male pores behind the female pores and a vascular system with true capillaries.

Structure

All the species of worms have a nearly similar structure. A narration of any worm applies in many points to the other. For descriptive purpose, Lumbricus terrestris is used. A primitive worm has a well developed circulatory, excretory, reproductive, nervous, digestive and muscular system. The highlight is the segmentation or ringing of the body. The manure and red worms have nearly 95 segments, while the nightcrawler has 150. The different segments are given varying functions. The first section involves the mouth and the prostomium. This is a lobe which covers the mouth and acts as a wedge to create cracks in the soil.

On every segment, setae i.e. small hair like structures, are noticed. These are retracted or extended for movement. As the worm does not have any other protruding structures, effective burrowing can be done. Lubricating mucus is secreted by the skin glands. This assists motion through the earth and stabilizes burrows and casts. Worms do not have special breathing devices. It is through the body surface that respiration is carried out. Worms swallow soil, residues and plant litter on the soil surface. This material is mixed by the strong muscles and passed through the digestive tract. Here, digestive fluids are secreted and combined with the material. The simple molecules are absorbed by the intestine and used for energy.

Classification

Worms are animals that belong to the classification Oligochaeta, phylum Annelida. There are about 5 families of worms that contain 1800 species. Those in North America, Europe and Western Asia are of the family Lumbricidae. These have about 220 species. The length of the worm may be a few millimeters to over three feet. The common types are a few inches long. The commercial worm grower is interested in only a few types. Out of these, just a couple are raised on a large scale.

Types

Manure worms are adaptable to commercial production. They are commonly grown by farmers. Red worms are a type of manure worms. The difference lies in the size and color. These are also good for commercial production. Manure worms and red worms together form about 80 to 90 percent of the commercially produced worms. The other types of worms are Nightcrawlers and Field worms.

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