Lumbriculus variegatus

Among the characteristics of the genus is a green pigmentation of the anterior end, its two-pointed setae, and its curious reflex escape mechanisms. When touched, L. variegatus will attempt to escape, either by swimming in a helical ("cork-screw") fashion, or by reversing its body. The escape pattern used depends on where the worm is touched: anterior touch elicits body reversal, whereas posterior touch triggers helical swimming. L. variegatus has quick reflexes, and uses its photo-receptors to detect shadows and movement, both used to escape threats. The posterior end lifts out of the water and forms a right angle. It is then exposed to air and is used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, although this exposes its posterior to its enemies. If the photo-receptors detect a shadow or movement, the posterior rapidly shortens in response to a threat.

Regeneration in L. variegatus follows a set pattern which was studied by the Russian embryologist Piotr Ivanov. If the regenerating segment originated less than eight segments from the anterior tip, this number of segments are regenerated; if, however, the segment was originally from a more posterior position, only eight segments are regenerated. Posterior to the segment, a variable number of segments are regenerated, and the original segment undergoes transformation to become suited to the new, often more anterior position. L. variegatus is presumed to be holarctic in distribution, although in East Asia and North America (and perhaps other places as well), it is probably replaced by the other species of the genus (many of which are known from very small areas; L. illex, for instance, is known only from three individuals found in a stream north of Vladivostok). Mature L. variegatus specimens can easily be identified by a number of genital characters, but as few of the species in the genus ever become sexually mature, it is often difficult to do so. A physical description of L. variegatus is, to a large extent, valid for the entire genus.