Lackawanna River Aquatic Worms & Leeches
Class: Oligochaeta (aquatic worms)
Key features
no legs
round body
may be smooth or bristly
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Lackawanna River Aquatic Worms & Leeches |
Many aquatic worms look like earthworms, while others are very long and slender, and are known as horsehair worms. Aquatic worms are
red, white, or brown, and will typically "wiggle" in a snake-like fashion. They are primarily found in reaches of a stream that have some soft sediment or in packs of decomposing
leaves. They feed on dead plant material and the bacteria associated with it.
Aquatic worms are considered pollution tolerant organisms and along with midge larvae usually dominate the macroinvertebrate communities
of the most polluted waters. This does not mean that they are limited to reaches of the River that are impacted by pollution. Worms are common and widespread throughout the River, though
greater numbers are found downstream of Scranton.
Order: Tubificida
Order: Lumbriculida Leeches are usually small, gray, and flat, and have the appearance of being segmented, with the lines running perpendicular to the
length of their body. They avoid light and generally hide under stones, among aquatic plants, or in debris, in warm, protected shallows, where there is no disturbance from current. They cling
to surfaces with their circular "sucker'" and move by extending and contracting their tough muscular bodies. Leeches feed on other aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Leeches are considered pollution tolerant organisms and are primarily found within the Taylor and Old Forge reach of the River. Such
lower reaches of the River generally have warmer water temperatures, conditions more favorable for leeches.
Order: Rhynchobdellida
Family: Naididae
Family: Lumbriculidae
Class: Hirudinea (leeches)
Key features
no legs
flat underside
circular, sucking mouth
size range: 1/8-2" (when extended)
Family: Glossiphoniidae
Genus: Gloiobdella