False colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of an Earthworm (family: Lumbricidae), showing the mouthparts. Earthworms are a family of terrestrial oligochaete worms abundant in the soil. They perform a vital function in aerating the soil by their burrows and this allows soil bacteria to increase. These accelerate the rate of organic decomposition and release inorganic substances which are then taken up by plants. Earthworms also bring down organic matter from the surface into their burrows distributing nutrients more evenly in the soil. Magnification: X 11 at 35mm size. Original is bw print z195/017

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