veriform

Veriform refers to a specific body shape characterized by a long, cylindrical, and segmented appearance. This term is most commonly associated with certain types of invertebrates, particularly worms and insect larvae. The word itself is derived from Latin roots: "veris" meaning worm and "forma" meaning shape. Organisms exhibiting a veriform body plan typically lack limbs and possess a flexible, elongated structure that facilitates burrowing or movement through viscous environments.

Examples of creatures with a veriform body include the larval stages of many insects, such as maggots and caterpillars, as well as various types of annelid worms like earthworms. This body shape is an adaptation that allows for efficient locomotion in soil, water, or other substrates, often through muscular contractions that ripple along the body. The segmentation observed in veriform organisms is a fundamental characteristic of many invertebrate phyla, contributing to their mobility and internal organization. While not a scientific classification itself, "veriform" serves as a descriptive term for a widely observed and evolutionarily successful body type.