Giant Palouse earthworm

Giant Palouse earthworm
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Clade: Sedentaria
Class: Clitellata
Order: Opisthopora
Family: Megascolecidae
Genus: Driloleirus
Species:
D. americanus
Binomial name
Driloleirus americanus
Smith, 1897

The giant Palouse earthworm or Washington giant earthworm (Driloleirus americanus, meaning lily-like worm[2]) is a species of earthworm belonging to the genus Driloleirus inhabiting the Palouse region of Eastern Washington and North Idaho, in the United States. The worm was discovered in 1897 by Frank Smith near Pullman, Washington. It can burrow to a depth of 15 feet (4.6 m).[3]

Although it had been thought to be extinct in the 1980s, recent evidence has demonstrated that the species is still living. The latest sighting included recovery of two specimens, an adult and a juvenile, which were unearthed on March 27, 2010 by scientists at the University of Idaho including Samuel James.[4]

  1. ^ Blakemore, R. (2014). "Driloleirus americanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T6828A21416080. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T6828A21416080.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Giant Palouse Earthworm". Pacific Biology Institute's Endangered Species Information Network. Archived from the original on 2006-06-29. Retrieved 2006-09-09.
  3. ^ Geranios, Nicholas K. (2006-09-08). "Giant worm is stuff of legends and must be saved, group says". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2007-02-25. Retrieved 2006-09-09.
  4. ^ "APNewsBreak: Idaho Scientists Find Fabled Worm," The New York Times, April 27, 2010.