| Enchytraeidae | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Clade: | Sedentaria |
| Class: | Clitellata |
| Order: | Tubificida |
| Superfamily: | Enchytraeoidea |
| Family: | Enchytraeidae Vejdovský, 1879 |
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.[1] 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.[2][3] Enchytraeidae also includes the Grindal worm (Enchytraeus buchholzi), which is commercially bred as aquarium fish food.[4]
- ^ Burgers, A. (2012-12-02). Soil Biology. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-14658-6.
- ^ Hartzell, Paula L.; Nghiem, Jefferson V.; Richio, Kristina J.; Shain, Daniel H. (2011-02-15). "Distribution and phylogeny of glacier ice worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus and Mesenchytraeus solifugus rainierensis)". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 83 (9): 1206–1213. doi:10.1139/z05-116.
- ^ Shain, Daniel H.; Mason, Tarin A.; Farrell, Angela H.; Michalewicz, Lisa A. (2001). "Distribution and behavior of ice worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus) in south-central Alaska". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 79 (10): 1813–1821. doi:10.1139/cjz-79-10-1813. ISSN 1480-3283.
- ^ Bouguenec, V. (1992-03-15). "Oligochaetes (Tubificidae and Enchytraeidae) as food in fish rearing: a review and preliminary tests". Aquaculture. 102 (3): 201–217. doi:10.1016/0044-8486(92)90149-F. ISSN 0044-8486.