Tubificoides diazi

Annelids-Oligochaetes

Tubificoides diazi is a marine oligochaete, described from New Jersey.   Marine oligochaetes resemble terrestrial earthworms, but are usually less than 60-70 mm long. This worm has been found from North Carolina to Cape Cod, and the Northeast Atlantic, in Scotland and Atlantic France.  It is presumed native to the North Atlantic. In the Northeast Pacific, it has been collected in Coos Bay, Oregon, and Boundary Bay, Washington, It is presumed to be introduced to the West Coast.  Possible vectors include solid ballast, ballast water, or plantings of Eastern Oysters.  Specimens have also been found in Victoria, Australia,  The type specimen was 20 mm long, with 73 segments.  Oligochaetes lack parapodia, and have relatively short setae.  They are hermaphroditic, with a few anterior segments modified to form  a reproductive section, called the clitellum.  At sexual maturity, they have  a few modified segments forming a reproductive section, called a clitellum. The worms copulate, and lay fertilized eggs in cocoons. Marine oligochaetes usually occur in silty or muddy sediments, and are deposit-feeders.