Criodrilidae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sparganophilus

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Class:	Clitellata
Subclass:	Oligochaeta
Order:	Haplotaxida
Family:	Criodrilidae

Genera

Biwadrilus
Criodrilus

The family Criodrilidae is represented by genera Criodrilus and Biwadrilus that are limicolous (mud-dwelling) and/or aquatic earthworms endemic to the Palaearctic currently known only from Europe and Japan, respectively. Only 3 or 4 species are described and the type, Criodrilus lacuum has been introduced into the Americas (North and South) and is found rarely in plant pots or paddy fields.

Criodrilidae member species are characterised by holoic nephridia absent from anterior segments (cf. Pontodrilus), a simple gut with no gizzard and no typhlosole. They are true earthworms, having a complex vascular system with capillaries, the male pores (on 15 or 13) behind the female pores (on 14) and a multi-celled clitellum. They were at one time placed in the earthworm families Glossoscolecidae or Almidae but at present are considered to constitute their own family.

Criodrilidae species (criodrilids) are found in mud next to lakes and waterways (cf. North American Sparganophilus). They feed in the low oxygen mud and organic material, but with their highly vascularized posterior region on or near the surface.

Criodrilus has no accepted common name; Biwadrilus is the Lake Biwa earthworm.