Species of earthworms
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In the world there are over 6,000 species of earthworms, classified in 20 different 'families'.
In Australia the population of earthworms consist native and introduced species in the following families:
*Moniligastridae
*Glossoscolecidae
*Lumbricidae
*Ocnerodrilidae
*Acanthodrilidae
*Octochaetidae
*Benhamiidae
*Megascolecidae
*Eudrilidae
Click on hyperlinks to be directed to more information (via Wikipedia) in new tabs. Retrieved from: http://www.technovelgy.com/graphics/content10/earthworms.jpg
In Australia the population of earthworms consist native and introduced species in the following families:
*Moniligastridae
*Glossoscolecidae
*Lumbricidae
*Ocnerodrilidae
*Acanthodrilidae
*Octochaetidae
*Benhamiidae
*Megascolecidae
*Eudrilidae
Click on hyperlinks to be directed to more information (via Wikipedia) in new tabs. Retrieved from: http://www.technovelgy.com/graphics/content10/earthworms.jpg
![Picture](/uploads/3/0/3/2/30323653/2568844.jpg?438)
Within these families are about 1000 different species of earthworms. One species that Australia is famous for is the Giant Gippsland Earthworm and it's scientific name is Megascolides australis. You can see a photo of this worm and learn more about it in the photo gallery!
Retrieved from: http://museumvictoria.com.au/pages/697/image001.jpg
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All the species of worms that come from Australia are native to the Acanthodrilidae, Octochaetidae and Megascolecidae families. These worms can be distinguished as native by counting the number of segments in front of the clitellum. If the clitellum starts on segment 14, the worm is probably a native species.
The earthworms that come from the other families above have been introduced in Australia through colonisation and importing. They come from Britain and wider Europe as well as from Africa and Asia, transported in soil and plants as well as deliberately introduced for commercial use (as bait and also for compost farms.)
Retrieved from: http://vro.depi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vroimages.nsf/Images/
worm_wise_earthworm_diagram/$File/earthworm_diagram.jpg