Who saw black (earthworm) worms? Probably all. Nevertheless, many people do not even realize how significant benefits they bring. It really is very difficult to overestimate. Our article is about black worms. Photos, features, habitat, species - consider these and other equally interesting aspects of the topic.
Introductory information
Black worms are quite large invertebrates, the dimensions of which often reach three meters in length. Worms inhabiting the territory of Russia are part of the detachment Haplotaxida. It is interesting to note that representatives of the said detachment live everywhere, however, the exception is Antarctica. There is also a family of Lumbricidae. It includes about 200 varieties. In our country, 97 representatives of this family live.
The value of invertebrates
The importance of black worms for the biosphere is quite difficult to overestimate. It is worth clarifying that these invertebrates eat dead tissue of plant origin and the waste products of various animals. Then they digest it all and mix the mass that is obtained with the soil. Man learned to use this feature of black worms for his own purposes. So, he receives the most valuable fertilizer - vermicompost, or biohumus.
What is biohumus?
Biohumus should be understood as hydrophilic structures that have the ability to accumulate moisture. In other words, when there is a lack of water in the soil, humus begins to release moisture. If surplus is relevant in relation to water, then we will talk about the accumulation of moisture. The phenomenon associated with the release of humus by black worms can be explained by studying their structure. The fact is that in the intestines of invertebrates after the decomposition of organic compounds, humic acid molecules are formed. In turn, they come in contact with various mineral compounds.
Fertile soil as a result of the activity of worms
Black worms play a large role in creating fertile soil. This fact was first noticed by Charles Darwin. He explained that invertebrates burrow holes, the depth of which varies from 60 to 80 centimeters. That is how they loosen the soil.
Currently, worms are widely used by humans for their own purposes. First of all, for receiving vermicompost. In addition, we actively use worms in livestock and poultry farming for feeding. These invertebrates are widely used by anglers who are lovers, like a good bait.
Types of Earthworms
Black worms living in Russia can be classified into two species. It is worth noting that these varieties differ in biological properties. It is advisable to attribute to the first species those invertebrates that feed on the surface of the soil. These are bedding worms. Representatives of the second group, burrows, feed, live directly in the soil layers.
It is important to add that the first species is constantly on the surface of the earth. Under no circumstances will its members go down deeper, that is, below 10-20 centimeters. Representatives of the second group develop their own activities only at a depth of 1 meter. If necessary, they can stick out only the front of the body from the ground. In another way they are called big black worms.
Burrowing and burrowing
It should be borne in mind that the second variety of invertebrates, in turn, is classified into burrowing and burrowing worms. The latter live in the deepest layers of the soil, but they do not have permanent burrows. Burrowing worms develop their activity in the same burrows. As a rule, these are small black worms.
Litter and digging invertebrates live only in moist soils, for example in places near water bodies. It must be added that digging worms are able to live in relatively dry soils. These are black long worms, which are much easier to adapt to unusual conditions for invertebrates.
Invertebrate lifestyle underground
Black thin worms lead a night life. The fact is that it is at night that they have the opportunity to get a large amount of food. So, you can observe their maximum activity. Some worms crawl to the surface of the earth in order to eat food, however, they rarely get out completely from their holes. Especially black small worms always prefer to leave their tails underground. For a day, invertebrates are used to plugging their own burrows with different objects, for example, leaves of trees. Small pieces of food they often drag to their homes.
For reference
It is interesting to note that the body of the worms is very stretched. The reason is the presence of numerous segments on it. In addition, the worms have tenacious bristles. Thus, forcibly pulling them out of the mink is considered a rather difficult task. Virtually impossible.
Nutrition
Black worms are invertebrates that are omnivorous. They have a very characteristic diet. First, they swallow a lot of soil inside themselves, after which they absorb only useful substances of organic origin from it. Worms can even digest animal feed, such as meat, in small amounts.
It must be borne in mind that eating food is carried out in holes. First, the invertebrate from the outside gropes for the piece of interest, and then drags it into its home. This is where the meal takes place. It is interesting to know that in order to capture the power object, the worm is seriously attached to it. Then he is pulled with all his strength in the opposite direction.
Moreover, invertebrates make a supply of food for themselves. They put it into their homes with maximum accuracy. Worms sometimes deliberately dig another hole just to store food. It is clogged with moist soil and opened only when absolutely necessary.
Black worms are nourished in a specific order. First, the soil is swallowed, after which substances of organic origin are digested inside the invertebrate. Next, the worm crawls out into the upper layers of the soil and excretes excrement. It is worth noting that at the same time he stores vital products in one particular place. So, before entering the hole, as a rule, a peculiar pile is formed, which consists of the excrement of the worm.
A life
Black worms have a long history. They played a significant role in soil formation. It is worth noting that it is thanks to these invertebrates that we see such land as it is today. Worms carry out digging activities all the time, as a result of which the layer of earth is always in motion. Invertebrates have a very good appetite. In just one day, they can eat a volume of feed comparable in weight to them, in other words, 3-5 grams of food.
As a result of their own activities, black worms contribute to the maximum growth of plants, not taking into account the fertilizer that they produce. Invertebrates loosen the soil, so that water and oxygen get into it much better. According to their holes, plant roots develop much faster.
It should be noted that the result of constant loosening of the soil is that large objects all the time plunge deep into the ground. Small particles of foreign origin are gradually rubbed by the stomachs of invertebrates and turn into sand.
Unfortunately, the number of black worms in our country is declining every year. Irrational use of chemicals contributes to this situation in order to fertilize the soil. Currently, eleven varieties of such worms are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. It’s logical: why buy chemicals for fertilizer when there is such a natural miracle as vermicompost?
Worm structure
The structure of black worms is extremely simple. The length of individuals distributed in the territory of the Russian Federation varies in the range from 2 to 30 centimeters. Their body is divided into segments, which can be from 80 to 300. It should be noted that the black worm moves with the help of small bristles located on each of the body segments. The exception in this case is the very first part. On one segment there are from 8 to 20 setae.
The peculiarity of these invertebrates is a closed circulatory system, which is very well developed. It is important to know that it includes one vein and one artery. The worm breathes through skin cells that are very sensitive. There is protective mucus on the skin, which includes an impressive number of antiseptic enzymes. However, the worm’s brain is poorly developed. This organ consists of nerve nodes, of which there are only two. Invertebrates are characterized by a manifestation of the possibility of regeneration. For example, if you cut off their tail, then after some time a part of the body will grow back.
Conclusion
So, we examined the characteristics, types and habitats of the black worm, and also presented several thematic photographs. In conclusion, it should be noted that the importance of invertebrates in nature is extremely large, and it can hardly be overestimated somehow. An essential role in the decomposition of substances of organic origin belongs precisely to worms. They enrich the soil with valuable fertilizer called humus. It is worth noting that invertebrates can be an indicator: if there are a large number of them in the soil, then the land is fertile.
An absolute understanding of the role of black worms came to humans relatively recently. Previously, as a rule, people used chemical mineral fertilizers that destroy the soil, as well as all living things that were in it. Unfortunately, the majority of modern farmers are in such a fallacy today. Vermicompost is a magic wand that helps out the soil. It contains a lot of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, that is, substances that are primarily needed for plant growth.