Hello all,<br><br>I am working on a field guide to the 'tracks and signs' of North American invertebrates. The bulk of it will be devoted to insects and spiders, but there will be scattered references to annelids, and I'm hoping some of you can help me make the coverage as complete and accurate as possible.<br>
<br>One category of 'signs' is the tubes made by certain freshwater and marine worms. I am interested in information on which taxa make these, and how exactly they go about constructing them. I have collected photos of a few such tubes here: <a href="http://charleyeiseman.com/annelid.html">http://charleyeiseman.com/annelid.html</a> and I'm hoping someone can tell me what they are (or might be). There is also a question about earthworm burrows at the bottom of that page.<br>
<br>The book will include photos of the egg cases of <i>Eisenia foetida</i> and an unidentified leech. If anyone can provide information on variations in size, structure, and appearance among the egg cases of North American annelids, that would be very helpful.<br>
<br>I will also be discussing earthworm castings and the midden piles of <i>Lumbricus terrestris</i> (I have photos of both), as well as the effects on forest soils of introduced earthworms in general. I live in New England and I'm unclear on the importance of exotic earthworms south of the glaciated region, so comments on that would be helpful.<br>
<br>I think that essentially covers the annelid signs I'm aware of at this point. I would welcome any suggestions of other phenomena to consider, or contributions of any photographs that would augment the ones I've already mentioned.<br>
<br>Thanks,<br><br>Charley Eiseman<br><a href="mailto:ceiseman@gmail.com">ceiseman@gmail.com</a><br>
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