This native worm Octochaetus multiporus is rather large. Gigantism is a common feature of many plants and animals on isolated islands such as New Zealand. The exact reasons for this are poorly understood, but larger size seems to benefit some organisms, perhaps because there are fewer competitors and predators on islands than on continents.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Soil Bugs – An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Soil Invertebrates
Reference:
P1010180
Photograph by Alastair Robertson and Maria Minor
© Massey University
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