Tubifex tubifex is a slender segmented worm that may grow up to 20 cm in length. The number of body segments may number between 34-120 and have on each side an upper and lower bundle of chitinous bristles (setae), these are used for burrowing. The worm may appear red in colour owing to the possession of the respiratory pigment haemoglobin. The species is a hermaphrodite, with a complex reproductive system.Oligochaetes are segmented, bilaterally symmetrical, cylindrical worms, with tapering ends. Typically each body segment possesses four bundles of setae (chitinous bristles projecting from the body). The setae vary considerably in size and shape, and between families, so are consequently used extensively in identification. Examination under a microscope and of internal anatomy is likely to be required for accurate identification (see Brinkhurst, 1982), and attention paid to the rather complex reproductive organs. The number of gonads, the position of one gonad relative to the other, and the body segments in which they occur are used to define families. In the Tubificidae the form of the male duct is used to define genera.

European waters (ERMS scope), New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone, North West Atlantic, Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone, Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone, United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zone

upstream part of middle St. Lawrence estuary

Normally in calm waters, but can tolerate rough waters. infralittoral of the Gulf and estuary

Depth range based on 2 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 3 - 3
 
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 Inhabits cohesive muds in a variety of habitats and is tolerant of oxygen deficiency. It is especially abundant in polluted sediments and marginal habitats not occupied by many other species, e.g. upper estuaries where interstitial salinity is less than 5 psu.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


There are 53 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.


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Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 53
Specimens with Barcodes: 53
Species With Barcodes: 1