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Image of Clam Worm
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Clam Worm

Alitta virens (M. Sars 1835)

Alexander Semenov   cc-by

Alitta virens (Clam Worm) is a species of segmented worms in the family ragworms. They are associated with freshwater habitat. They are biodiffusors. They are omnivores. Individuals can grow to 300 mm. They rely on drag powered swimming to move around.

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  • URI: https://eol.org/schema/terms/drag_based_swimming
  • Definition: Drag swimmers use a cyclic motion where they push water back in a power stroke, and return their limb forward in the return or recovery stroke. When they push water directly backwards, this moves their body forward, but as they return their limbs to the starting position, they push water forward, which will thus pull them back to some degree, and so opposes the direction that the body is heading. This opposing force is called drag. The return-stroke drag causes drag swimmers to employ different strategies than lift swimmers. Reducing drag on the return stroke is essential for optimizing efficiency.
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EOL has data for 45 attributes, including:

Known occurrences, collected specimens and observations of Clam Worm. View this species on GBIF