page_title: Tubifex tubifex
hierarchical_section_title: Tubifex tubifex
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: A Blendecques (France), dans le fleuve Aa, dans les années 1985-1990, les sédiments constitués ici principalement des rejets chroniques de 3 papeteries à la station d'épuration de capacité insuffisante et dysfonctionnant, offrent un habitat de choix aux tubifex dans les zones les plus anoxiques (et aussi au chironome plumeux dans les zones moins asphyxiées où l'en trouvait des milliards de larves). Le tubifex est l'un des rares organismes invertébrés (avec une sangsue brune) à survivre dans les sédiments très chargés en matière organique en décomposition et les plus pauvres en oxygène). On les trouve souvent en groupe comme sur cette photo. Si l'eau est un peu moins polluée, on trouve aussi les larves de certains chironomes plumeux
context_page_description: Tubifex tubifex, also called the sludge worm, or sewage worm, is a species of tubificid segmented worm that inhabits the sediments of lakes and rivers on several continents. Tubifex probably includes several species, but distinguishing between them is difficult because the reproductive organs, commonly used in species identification, are resorbed after mating, and because the external characteristics of the worm vary with changes in salinity. These worms ingest sediments, selectively digest bacteria, and absorb molecules through their body walls.
  Micro-plastic ingestion by Tubifex worms acts a significant risk for trophic transfer and biomagnification of microplastics up the aquatic food chain. The worms can survive with little oxygen by waving hemoglobin-rich tail ends to exploit all available oxygen, and can exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen through their thin skins, in a manner similar to frogs. They can also survive in areas heavily polluted with organic matter that almost no other species can endure. By forming a protective cyst and lowering its metabolic rate, T. tubifex can survive drought and food shortage. Encystment may also function in the dispersal of the worm.
context_section_description: Tubifex tubifex, also called the sludge worm, or sewage worm, is a species of tubificid segmented worm that inhabits the sediments of lakes and rivers on several continents. Tubifex probably includes several species, but distinguishing between them is difficult because the reproductive organs, commonly used in species identification, are resorbed after mating, and because the external characteristics of the worm vary with changes in salinity. These worms ingest sediments, selectively digest bacteria, and absorb molecules through their body walls. 
  Micro-plastic ingestion by Tubifex worms acts a significant risk for trophic transfer and biomagnification of microplastics up the aquatic food chain. The worms can survive with little oxygen by waving hemoglobin-rich tail ends to exploit all available oxygen, and can exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen through their thin skins, in a manner similar to frogs. They can also survive in areas heavily polluted with organic matter that almost no other species can endure. By forming a protective cyst and lowering its metabolic rate, T. tubifex can survive drought and food shortage. Encystment may also function in the dispersal of the worm.
  They usually inhabit the bottom sediments of lakes, rivers, and occasionally sewer lines and outlets.
caption: Tubifex, in Aa River (north of France) in a polluted zone, circa 1990
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