Phylum Annelida
Annelids are a phylum of segmented worms. Well known members of this phylum are the earthworms and leeches. The classification of this phylum and related phyla needs further research.
19 species of earthworms are found in Singapore.1
Earthworms at Punggol Waterway Park ©Tan KH
Earthworm attacked by ants at Woodlands ©Tan KH
Less well known members of this phylum are the polychaete worms (Class Polychaeta)2,3, which include the tubeworms. Tubeworms are common in the mudflats of Chek Jawa. They are so called because they build a breathing tube out of their underground burrow. Two main types can be easily distinguished. The one with the leaves or debris stuck to the breathing tube are the Diopatra, while the one without can be any of a wide range of polychaetes.
Moonshell egg case with 2 types of tubeworms at Chek Jawa ©Tan KH
References
1. Terrestrial earthworms (Oligochaeta) from Singapore2. Checklist of polychaete species from Singapore waters (Annelida)
3. A Guide to Seashore Life by Dr Leo W H Tan and Peter K L Ng
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