Arenicola loveni is a marine worm species belonging to the family Arenicolidae. This burrowing worm is commonly known as the “lugworm” and plays a significant role in the marine ecosystem, particularly in intertidal zones.
Description & Characteristics
Arenicola loveni is a segmented worm with a cylindrical body that can reach up to 20 cm in length. Its body is typically reddish-brown in color and lacks parapodia, which are fleshy appendages found in many other polychaete worms. It has a distinctive head with a pair of small tentacles and a prominent proboscis used for feeding.
Habitat and Occurrence
Arenicola loveni is a common inhabitant of intertidal and subtidal zones, particularly in sandy and muddy sediments. It burrows vertically into the sediment, creating characteristic U-shaped burrows that can reach depths of up to 30 cm. The species is found in a wide range of marine zones, from the lower intertidal to the subtidal, where it plays a crucial role in sediment turnover and nutrient cycling.
Taxonomy
Arenicola loveni is classified as follows:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Annelida
- Class: Polychaeta
- Order: Terebellida
- Family: Arenicolidae
- Genus: Arenicola
- Species: Arenicola loveni
Feeding
Arenicola loveni is a deposit feeder, meaning it ingests sediment and extracts organic matter from it. It feeds by swallowing sediment at the surface of its burrow and passing it through its digestive system, extracting nutrients along the way. The undigested sediment is then expelled as castings at the surface of the burrow. This feeding behavior makes Arenicola loveni a crucial component of the marine ecosystem, as it contributes to the breakdown of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients.
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