Enchytraeidae is a family of microdrile oligochaetes. They resemble small earthworms and include both terrestrial species known as potworms that live in highly organic terrestrial environments, as well as some that are marine. The peculiar genus Mesenchytraeus is known as "ice worms", as they spend the majority of their lives within glaciers, only rising to the surface at certain points in the summer. Enchytraeidae also includes the Grindal worm (Enchytraeus buchholzi), which is commercially bred as aquarium fish food. Certain varieties of Enchytraeidae are partially responsible for the notorious "dark earth" archaeological layers in post-Roman Era British urban centers such as London.
| Enchytraeidae | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Clade: | Sedentaria |
| Class: | Clitellata |
| Order: | Tubificida |
| Superfamily: | Enchytraeoidea |
| Family: | Enchytraeidae Vejdovský, 1879 |
Selected genera
Enchytraeidae genera include:
- Achaeta Vejdovský, 1878
- Archienchytraeus Eisen, 1878 (nomen dubium)
- Buchholzia Michaelsen, 1886
- Cernosvitoviella Nielsen & Christensen, 1959
- Christensenidrilus Dózsa-Farkas & Convey, 1998 (= Christensenia Dózsa-Farkas & Convey, 1997 (non Brinck 1945: preoccupied))
- Cognettia Nielsen & Christensen, 1959
- Enchytraeina Bülow, 1957
- Enchytraeus
- Epitelphusa Drago, 1887
- Fridericia Michaelsen, 1889
- Globulidrilus Christensen & Dózsa-Farkas, 2012
- Grania
- Hemifridericia Nielsen & Christensen, 1949
- Henlea Michaelsen, 1889 (= Henleanella)
- Lumbricillus Ørsted, 1844 (= Enchytraeoides, Pachydrilus)
- Marionina Michaelsen in Pfeffer, 1890 (= Marionia Michaelsen, 1889 (non Vayssière, 1877: preoccupied), Michaelsena, Parenchytraeus)
- Mesenchytraeus – ice worms
- Neoenchytraeus Eisen, 1878
- Randidrilus Coates & Erséus, 1985
- Stephensoniella Cernosvitov, 1934
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