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Annelids (Phylum Annelida) are segmented worms
that inhabit marine and freshwater environments, in addition to terrestrial environments.
Annelids include three different classes: polychaetes, oligochaetes, and hirudinea
(leeches). The most common method of introduction is from commercial oyster plantings.
However, some are also introduced by way of ship fouling. The most likely potential
impact is changing the benthic community structure of an introduction site. Some
species bore into oyster shells or snail shells occupied by hermit crabs. Polydora
ligni, a mud worm (pic 39k), was
introduced to the west coast in commercial oyster plantings. At times they become
so abundant that they bury the oysters in several inches of mud tubes.
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Exotics
in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
