Prehistoric Models: Worms
What many people call “worms” could be the larval stage of some insect species. True worms are diverse and are classified in many different phylum and class groupings. The “earth worms” we all know and love are classified in the Phylum Annelid along with leeches. The most common worm fossils are “worm tubes” and imprints.
To see my worm fossils click here. To see my moderm worm tube specimen click here.
Domain: Eukarya – Kingdom: Animalia – Subkingdom: Eumetazoa – Clade: ParaHoxozoa – Clade: Bilateria – Clade: Nephrozoa – (unranked): Protostomia – (unranked): Spiralia – Superphylum: Lophotrochozoa – Phylum: Annelida
(Annelida meaning “little ring”, ringed worms, or segmented worms)
Early Ordovician to Holocene
Genus: Lumbricus terrestris “Common Earthworm”
Classification: Phylum: Annelida – Class: Clitellata – Order: Opisthopora- Suborder: Lumbricina
Diet: Herbivore (Sediment Feeder)
Period: Holocene, Recend
Life Span: Up to 6 years
Size: Up to 14 imches
Domain: Eukarya – Kingdom: Animalia – Subkingdom: Eumetazoa – Clade: ParaHoxozoa – Clade: Bilateria – Clade: Nephrozoa – (unranked): Protostomia – Superphylum: Ecdysozoa – Clade: Scalidophora – Phylum: Priapulida
(penis worms)
Late Pennsylvanian to Holocene (Stem-group from Cambrian)
Genus and Species: Ottoia prolifica
Classification: Phylum: Priapulida – Family: Ottoiidae
Described by: Walcott, 1911
Period: Middle Cambrian 505 million years ago
Locality: Burgess Shale of Brittish Columbia
Size: 8 cm
Genus and Species: Ottoia prolifica
Classification: Phylum: Priapulida – Family: Ottoiidae
Described by: Walcott, 1911
Period: Middle Cambrian 505 million years ago
Locality: Burgess Shale of Brittish Columbia
Size: 8 cm
Domain: Eukarya – Kingdom: Animalia – Subkingdom: Eumetazoa – Clade: ParaHoxozoa – Clade: Bilateria – Clade: Nephrozoa – (unranked): Protostomia – Superphylum: Ecdysozoa – (unranked): Panarthropoda – Scalidophora – Phylum: “Lobopodia”
(“lobopodia” meaning “blunt feet”)
Cambrian to Pennsylvanian (Euarthropoda to Holocene)
Genus: Hallucigenia
Classification: Phylum: “Lobopodia” – Clade: Hallucishaniids – Family: Hallucigeniidae
Described by: Walcott, 1911
Period: Middle Cambrian 505 million years ago
Locality: Burgess Shale type deposits
Size: 0.5 to 5.5 cm
Genus: Hallucigenia
Classification: Phylum: “Lobopodia” – Clade: Hallucishaniids – Family: Hallucigeniidae
Described by: Walcott, 1911
Period: Middle Cambrian 505 million years ago
Locality: Burgess Shale type deposits
Size: 0.5 to 5.5 cm
