Tubificidae

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Tubificidae
Tubifex tubifex
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Oligochaeta
Order: Clitellata
Family: Tubificidae
Subfamilies

Tubificidae
Naidinae
Phallodrilinae
Limnodriloidinae
Rhyacodrilinae
Telmatodrilinae

The Tubificidae are a family of clitellate oligochaete worms like the sludge worm, Tubifex tubifex. They are key components of the benthic communities of many freshwater and marine ecosystems. Analysis of 18S rDNA sequences has revealed that the family may not be monophyletic.

Tubificidae is divided into six subfamilies:

  • Tubificinae, containing (among others) the genus Tubifex
  • Naidinae
  • Telmatodrilinae
  • Limnodriloidinae
  • Phallodrilinae
  • Rhyacodrilinae
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