Aeolosomatidae

The Aeolosomatidae is a family of very small, aquatic annelid worms, between 0.3 and 10 mm in length and 0.04-0.06 mm in diameter. About 30 species have been described in three genera.[2] These worms are known as suction-feeding worms and occupy freshwater, brackish, and saltwater habitats. They are bottom and sediment dwellers, inhabiting spaces around aquatic plants and the detritus-rich sands and sediments of freshwater habitats (microfauna)[3]

Aeolosomatidae
Aeolosoma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Order: incertae sedis
Family: Aeolosomatidae
Beddard, 1895[1]
Genera

Ecology

Aeolosomatids feed on microalgae, microorganisms, and detritus.[3] They place their prostomia over the substrate and create a vacuum, swallowing small particles and their attached algae. They are able to reproduce sexually, but most reproduction is asexual. This is done by paratomy/fission (fragmentation) as posterior segments break away or detach from the parent worm. This begins when the worm reaches a determined number of millimeters (depending on the species), which gives rise to the clonal production of a chain of filial zooids that detach themselves from the parental zooid in a few days.[2]

References
  1. WoRMS (2015). "Aeolosomatidae Beddard, 1895". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  2. "Family Aeolosomatidae". Key to Australian Freshwater and Terrestrial Invertebrates. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  3. "Aeolosomatidae data - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
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