Enchytraeidae

The Enchytraeidae are a microdrile oligochaete family. They resemble small earthworms and include both terrestrial species known as potworms that live in highly organic terrestrial environments, as well as some that are marine. The peculiar genus Mesenchytraeus is known as "ice worms", as they live in glaciers and will die if exposed to temperatures a few degrees above freezing. Apart from these, the best-known species is probably the Grindal Worm (Enchytraeus buchholzi), which is commercially bred as aquarium fish food.

Selected genera

Enchytraeidae genera include:^[1]

• Achaeta Vejdovský, 1878
• Archienchytraeus Eisen, 1878 (nomen dubium)
• Cernosvitoviella Nielsen & Christensen, 1959
• Christensenidrilus Dózsa-Farkas & Convey, 1998 (= Christensenia Dózsa-Farkas & Convey, 1997 (non Brinck 1945: preoccupied))
• Cognettia Nielsen & Christensen, 1959
• Enchytraeina Bülow, 1957
• Enchytraeus
• Epitelphusa Drago, 1887
• Fridericia Michaelsen, 1889
• Grania
• Hemifridericia Nielsen & Christensen, 1949
• Henlea Michaelsen, 1889 (= Henleanella)
• Lumbricillus Ørsted, 1844 (= Enchytraeoides, Pachydrilus)
• Marionina Michaelsen in Pfeffer, 1890 (= Marionia Michaelsen, 1889 (non Vayssière, 1877: preoccupied), Michaelsena, Parenchytraeus)
• Mesenchytraeus – ice worms
• Neoenchytraeus Eisen, 1878
• Randidrilus Coates & Erséus, 1985
• Stephensoniella Cernosvitov, 1934

Footnotes

References

• World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) (2008): Enchytraeidae. Version of 2010-MAY-11. Retrieved 2011-FEB-06.