Who saw black (earth) worms? Probably everything. However, many people do not even realize how significant benefits they bring. It's really hard to overestimate it. Our article is devoted to black worms. Photos, features, habitat, species - consider these and other equally interesting aspects of the topic.
Introduction
Black worms are fairly large invertebrates, often reaching three meters in length. Worms living in Russia are included in the order Haplotaxida. It is interesting to note that representatives of the named detachment live everywhere, but Antarctica is an exception. There is also a family Lumbricidae. It includes about 200 varieties. 97 representatives of this family live in our country.
Meaning of invertebrates
The importance of black worms for the biosphere is difficult to overestimate. It is worth clarifying that these invertebrates eat dead plant tissues and products.life of various animals. Then they digest it all and mix the mass that is obtained with the soil. People have learned to use this feature of black worms for their own purposes. So, he receives the most valuable fertilizer - vermicompost, or biohumus.
What is vermicompost?
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, in relation to water, a surplus is relevant, 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 breakdown of organic compounds, molecules of humic acids are formed. In turn, they come into contact with various mineral compounds.
Fertile soil as a result of worm activity
Black worms play a big role in creating fertile soil. This fact was first noticed by Charles Darwin. He explained that invertebrates dig holes for themselves, the depth of which varies from 60 to 80 centimeters. This is how they loosen the soil.
Currently, people use worms extremely widely for their own purposes. First of all, to obtain vermicompost. In addition, we actively use worms in animal husbandry and poultry farming for feeding. These invertebrates are widely used by amateur anglers as good bait.
Types of earthworms
Black worms living in Russia can be classified into two types. It is worth noting that these varieties differ in biological properties. It is expedient to refer to the first species those invertebrates that feed precisely on the surface of the soil. These are bed worms. Representatives of the second group, burrowing worms, 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 deeper, that is, below 10-20 centimeters. Representatives of the second group deploy their own activities only at a depth of 1 meter. If necessary, they can only stick out the front part of the body from the ground. In another way they are called big black worms.
Digging and burrowing
It is worth bearing 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 holes. Burrowing worms, on the other hand, develop their activities in the same burrows. They are usually small black worms.
Litter and burrowing invertebrates live only in moist soils, for example, in places near water bodies. It should be added that burrowing 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 are nocturnal. The fact is thatit is at night that they have the opportunity to get a large amount of food. So, you can observe their most active activity. Some worms crawl to the surface of the earth in order to consume food, however, they rarely get out of their holes completely. Especially black small worms prefer to always leave their tails underground. During the day, invertebrates are accustomed to plugging their own holes with various objects, for example, tree leaves. Small particles of food are often dragged into their homes.
For reference
It is interesting to note that the body of the worms is strongly stretched. The reason is the presence of numerous segments on it. In addition, worms have tenacious bristles. Thus, forcibly pulling them out of the mink is considered a rather difficult task. Nearly impossible.
Food
Black worms are invertebrates that are omnivores. They have a very distinctive 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 food, such as meat, in small quantities.
Be aware that food is eaten in burrows. First, the invertebrate outside gropes for the piece it likes, after which it drags it into its home. That is where the meal takes place. It is interesting to know that in order to capture a food object, the worm seriously clings to it. Then he pulls back with all his might.
Moreover, invertebratesmake food for themselves. They put it into their homes with the utmost care. Worms sometimes specifically dig another hole just to store food. It is clogged with moist earth and opened only when absolutely necessary.
Black worms are fed in a certain order. First, the soil is swallowed, after which the digestion of substances of organic origin occurs inside the invertebrate. Further, the worm crawls into the upper layers of the soil and excretes excrement. It is worth noting that at the same time, he stores the products of vital activity in one specific place. So, before entering the hole, as a rule, a kind of heap is formed, consisting of worm excrement.
Life
Black worms have quite 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 the land as it is today. Worms all the time carry out burrowing activities, 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 food comparable to them in terms of weight, 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 they produce. Invertebrates loosen the soil, so that water and oxygen get into it much better. Roots develop much faster in their burrowsplants.
It should be noted that the result of the constant loosening of the soil is that large objects are always sinking deep into the ground. Small particles of foreign origin are gradually rubbed into the stomachs of invertebrates and turn into sand.
Unfortunately, the number of black worms in our country is declining every year. This situation is facilitated by the irrational use of chemicals in order to fertilize the soil. Currently, eleven varieties of such worms are already listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. It makes sense: why buy fertilizer chemicals when there is such a natural miracle as biohumus?
The structure of worms
The structure of black worms is extremely simple. The length of individuals common on the territory of the Russian Federation varies 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 of it. There are from 8 to 20 bristles on one segment.
The peculiarity of these invertebrates lies in 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. The skin has a protective mucus, which includes an impressive number of antiseptic enzymes. However, the brain of the worm is poorly developed. Thethe organ consists of nerve nodes, of which there are only two. Invertebrates are characterized by the manifestation of the possibility of regeneration. For example, if you cut off their tail, then after a while a part of the body will grow back.
Conclusion
So, we reviewed the characteristics, species and habitat of the black worm, and also presented several thematic photos. In conclusion, it should be noted that the importance of invertebrates in nature is extremely high, and it can hardly be overestimated in any way. An essential role in the decomposition of substances of organic origin belongs precisely to worms. They enrich the soil with a 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.
Absolute understanding of the role of black worms came to man 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 a similar delusion 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.
