Definition
oligochaetes
noun
- A class of annelid worms that includes earthworms and aquatic worms, characterized by relatively few setae (bristles) and a simple body structure.
Usage: plural form; singular is oligochaete; technical/scientific term; commonly used in biology and ecology
Examples
- Oligochaetes, such as earthworms, play a crucial role in soil aeration and nutrient cycling.
- The biology class studied oligochaetes under the microscope to understand annelid anatomy.
- Freshwater oligochaetes are important indicators of water quality in streams and ponds.
- Earthworms are the most familiar examples of oligochaetes found in gardens and forests.
- Scientists collected oligochaetes from the sediment to assess the health of the ecosystem.