Vermivore

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Pacific brown salamander eating a worm Pacific brown salamander eating a worm.jpg
Pacific brown salamander eating a worm

Vermivore (from Latin vermi, meaning "worm" and vorare, "to devour") is a zoological term for animals that primarily eat worms (including annelids, nematodes, and other worm-like animals). [1] Animals with such a diet are known to be vermivorous. [2] Some definitions are less exclusive with respect to the diet, but limit the definition to particular animals, e.g. "Feeding on worms or insect vermin. Used of a bird." [3]

Contents

An entire genus of New World warblers has been given the name Vermivora .

One vermivore that may feed exclusively on worms is Paucidentomys vermidax , a rodent species of a type commonly known as shrew rats which was discovered in 2011 in Indonesia. The name, which can be translated as "worm-eating, few-toothed mouse", refers to the fact that they have only four teeth and may live exclusively on a diet of earthworms. [4] This reduced dentition in vermivorous mammals is said to be due to relaxed selectional pressure on dental occlusion. [5]

Process

The process of getting worms and using them as a source of nutrients, whether by animals (in nature) or humans (in food systems or composting), involves several biological and/or ecological steps. Here's a breakdown depending on the context:

  1. Detection: Vermivores use their senses, like smell, vibration detection, or sight, to locate worms underground or above ground.
  2. Extraction: Vermivores will dig or peck their way to the worm or what til they come to the surface(usually at night or in the rain). Then they retrieve it.
  3. Ingestion: The worm is consumed whole or in parts.
  4. Digestion and Absorption: Worms are high in protein, amino acids, iron, and moisture. [6] Vermivor’s digestive system breaks the worm down into usable nutrients, absorbed into the bloodstream for energy and growth. [7]

Examples of vermivores

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Animal Diversity Web" . Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  2. ↑ Croker, Temple H. (1766). "Vermivorous". The Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 3.
  3. ↑ "The Free Dictionary" . Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Esselstyn, J.A., Achmadi, A.S. Rowe, K.C. (2012). Evolutionary novelty in a rat with no molars. Biology Letters, published online 22 August 2012, doi : 10.1098/rsbl.2012.0574
  5. ↑ Charles, Cyril; Solé, Floréal; Rodrigues, Helder Gomes; Viriot, Laurent (2013-06-01). "Under Pressure? Dental Adaptations to Termitophagy and Vermivory Among Mammals". Evolution. 67 (6): 1792–1804. doi: 10.1111/evo.12051 . ISSN   1558-5646. PMID   23730770.
  6. ↑ Siyun, Ding; Xiting, Lin; Sanger, He (2019). "Earthworms: A Source of Protein" (PDF). doi:10.17265/2159-5828/2019.05.001.
  7. ↑ MACDONALD, D. W. (1983). Earthworm Ecology (J. E. Satchell ed.). Chapman and Hall Ltd. pp. 393–394.
  8. ↑ "Spiny Anteaters: Licking Up Its Food". International Wildlife Encyclopedia. Vol. 18. Marshall Cavendish. 2002. p. 2488.(subscription required)
  9. ↑ Arlton, A.V. (1936). "An Ecological Study of the Mole". Journal of Mammalogy. 17 (4): 349–371. doi:10.2307/1374401. JSTOR   1374401.



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