Approximately 1.5 meters in length and greater than 500 grams weight. I found this earthworm in extremely wet rich forest soil in the foothills of Sumaco Volcano in Ecuador. Elevation ~ 1500 MASL. Calling all worm experts. I need help identifying this worm.
Large-bodied Earthworm
Yes Sir, that is a Large-bodied Earthworm.
15 Responses:
No.
nope.
From beneath you, it devours.
Muad'dib, we have wormsign the likes of which god has never seen.
I didn't know this gummi worm was life size!
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/7RXmNRr8x7I/maxresdefault.jpg
If you walk without rhythm... ah, you never learn.
Shi'halud!
I hate you.
He should be careful with that. It looks related to these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:S03-kruge_fights_the_worms.png
and that nearly didn't work out so well for him!
And if you cut it in half, you get two large-bodied earthworms!
Blessed is the Maker. May he cleanse the World with His passing.
Awesome.
I've heard that there are a lot of new-world earthworm species that are extinct or driven out of their habitats by the introduction of old-world earthworms, crops, farming practices, and the attendant changes in soil chemistry.
http://ecosystems.serc.si.edu/earthworm-invaders/
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/invasive-earthworms-denude-forests/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9105956
In my corner of CT, all the forests are second-growth, pretty much all tulip trees (tulip poplar?) and the understory is like 100% garlic mustard, which was also brought in because... food? (You can make a semi-acceptable pesto out of it but it's only good the day it's made.) At least it makes a tall, wavy environment for deer ticks to wait for you to walk though.
Barf!!