The geographical distribution of ice worms (O1igochaeta:Enchytraeidae)

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Tynen, Michael J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1970
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; glaciers; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z70-233; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z70-233

Ice worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus (Emery 1898)) have been found on the western coastal glaciers of North America, from the Bagley Icefield in Alaska, to Mt. Rainier, in Washington State. They are absent from the western interior and from the Central Alaska Ranges. It is speculated that their southern limit is north of the Columbia River, since this area represents the probable southern limit of Cordilleran ice.