Annelida and free-living worms

The Annelida collection, including Echiura, Sipuncula and free-living nematode worms, contains a wealth of important and historic material, including the most comprehensive collection of Siboglinidae (beard worms) in the world.Our collection of Hirudinea (leeches) is also of worldwide significance.

The Polychaete collection has a number of strengths including Antarctic material comprising the Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (B.A.N.Z.A.R.E.) (1929-1930) and recent biopearl expedition (2000s). We also hold HMS Discovery investigation collections, particularly from 1920’s to 1950’s.

The Oligochaete collection is higly regarded, largely from the efforts of in-house specialists Reginald Sims and Ed Easton.

The Southeast Asian collection is excellent, in particular for the family Megascolecidae.

Other highlights include the type series from the Carpathian mountains from Victor Pop, as well as South African material from Danuta Plisko and Grace Pickford.

Collection strengths

• Antarctic material (recent and historic)
• Southeast Asian and UK oligochaetes
• Siboglinidae
• Hirudinea (leeches)

Breakdown by phylum

• Annelida (Polychaetes, Oligochaetes, Hirudinea): 100,000 (wet, dry, slides)
• Free-living Nematoda: 23,000 (wet and slides)
• Sipuncula (peanut worms): 1,400 (wet, slides)
• Echiura: 160 (wet)