Studies on the Biology of the Tubificidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) in a Polluted Stream

Abstract

The Tubificidae are a family of aquatic organisms which have not yet received much attention from freshwater and marine biologists. Recent systematic studies (Brinkhurst 1963a, b, 1965a) have made possible the identification of species; and the respective habitats, distribution and seasonal biology of several species have now been investigated (Brinkhurst 1964a, b, c; Brinkhurst & Kennedy 1962; Kennedy 1965). The value of the Tubificidae in the detection of river pollution has been assessed elsewhere (Brinkhurst 1965b, c); only the ecological aspects of our work will be considered here.