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SEGMENTED WORMS
"Annelid worms include the familiar earthworms,
plus the blood worms and the tube worms of the oceans --and,
perhaps surprisingly, leeches as well. Charles Darwin wrote
an entire book on earthworms--pointing out their critical role
in actually forming soils, and circulating nutrients and oxygen
through soil, so critical for plant life to grow."
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| DR. NILES ELDREDGE, CURATOR, DEPARTMENT OF INVERTEBRATES |
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KNOWN SPECIES
12,000
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SIZE RANGE
Less than 1 millimeter to 4 meters
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WHERE THEY LIVE
In fresh waters and oceans, on land,
and as parasites of other animals
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ECOLOGICAL ROLES AND HUMAN USES
Predators, parasites, filter feeders,
scavengers • Aerate, enrich, and circulate soils and ocean
sediments • recycle nutrients • Enhance agricultural productivity
• Humans use leeches in microsurgery and medical research,
and as a source of medically useful chemicals
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