Lumbriculus variegatus
(California Blackworm)
Anticipation Guide
Answer the following 3 questions in your science notebook
1.
2.
3.
Describe some physical characteristics
of worms.
Where do worms live?
What are some ways humans use
worms?
Open textbook to page 34
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On your table is a handout with 12
questions from the assigned reading.
Answer the questions using complete
sentences in your science notebook.
You may work QUIETLY as a group, but
each person must have the answers
written in their own notebook.
Blackworm Notes
Scientific Classification
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Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Oligochaeta
Order: Lumbriculida
Family: Lumbriculidae
Genus: Lumbriculus
Species: Variegatus
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Lumbriculus variegatus
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Scientific name
Reasons for Classification
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Animalia = Multicellular, heterotrophic
Annelida = segmented worm (over 17,000 species!!)
Oligochaeta = few setae (chaetae) on outer body surface
and lack parapodia (lateral outgrowths)
Lumbriculida = live in freshwater environments (streams,
lakes, marshes, wells, etc.)
Lumbriculidae = **No additional features from the Order
level of classification
Lumbriculus = coloring/pigmentation, rapid escape reflex,
photoreceptors, method of respiration
Variegatus = one of three members of the genus;
differences are minor and were thought to be a single
species up until 2009.
Blackworm Notes
Habitat
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Reproduction
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Size
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muddy shores of lakes and ponds
Asexual is always by fragmentation.
Sexual is hermaphroditic (contain
both male and female organs) but
they cannot self-fertalize
Max. length is approx. 10 cm in
length, containing about 200-250
segments.
Diameter is 1.5mm
Blackworm Notes
Movement
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Metabolism
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Growth &
Development
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Swims in a corkscrew fashion
Rapid escape reflex when threatened
photoreceptors in their tail sense light,
touch or vibration
Blackworms keep their tails at the
surface of the water at a 90 degree
angle. The tail is exposed to air which
allows for gas exchange (breathing)
Uses head area to feed on decaying
vegetation and microorganisms
Head segments are darker and wider
than the tail. Will regenerate when cut.
Blackworm Notes
Blackworm facts
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Do not have hearts
blood is pumped by
rhythmic contractions of
the muscles
pulse rate can be
accelerated by caffeine
or nicotine.
can self-amputate in less
than 1/5 of a sec.
Anticipation Guide – Revisit
Refer back to the original 3 questions, were your answers
correct? Add to your answers if necessary.
1.
2.
3.
Describe some physical characteristics
of worms.
Where do worms live?
What are some ways humans use
worms?
Getting started!!
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For you table group come and get the
following items:
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1 petri dish lid
one circular piece of filter paper
Spring water to moisten the filter paper
1 Blackworm
1 drawing circle for each member of the
group
At your table, observe your blackworm
with the hand lenses.
Drawing a Blackworm
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Take your blackworm to the microscope
and observe under LOW magnification
(40x total)
Create a scientific drawing of the
blackworm, use the diagram on page 34
to help you label at least 3 features
Tape the completed drawing into your
comp. book
Measuring a Blackworm
Using your pipette and spring water, do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Carefully remove the worm, with some of the water, from
the petri dish
Slowly and carefully squirt the water with the worm onto a
piece of notebook paper.
Using the tip of the pipette, carefully draw the worm out
to its full length.
Use a ruler and measure the full length of the worm.
Record the length next to your scientific drawing in your
notebook.
Carefully return the blackworm to the petri dish