Common lugworm [Arenicola marina]
Description
The common lugworm or sandworm (Arenicola marina) is a large marine worm of the phylum Annelida. Its coiled castings are a familiar sight on a beach at low tide but the animal itself is rarely seen except by those who, from curiosity or to use as fishing bait, dig the worm out of the sand. It inhabits the intertidal zones along coasts, being present between the high and low water marks. It is a detritivore, feeding on detritus and small organisms.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Segmented Worms
Annelida
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Polychaetes
Polychaeta
|
| Order |
Aciculata
Aciculata
|
| Family |
Lugworms
Arenicolidae
|
| Genus |
Lugworm
Arenicola
|