verme

Verme is a common name for worm-like animals and does not refer to a single taxonomic group. The term covers a broad range of elongated, soft-bodied invertebrates across several phyla, with no shared evolutionary origin beyond their worm-like form. Most organisms called vermes belong to Annelida (segmented worms such as earthworms and leeches), Nematoda (roundworms), and Platyhelminthes (flatworms), among others.

In form and ecology, vermes show considerable diversity. Earthworms are soil-dwelling detritivores that help aerate and mix soil. Marine annelids, such as polychaetes, inhabit a variety of aquatic environments. Nematodes are often very small, ranging from free-living soil dwellers to microscopic aquatic forms, with many species parasitic. Flatworms include free-living planarians and numerous parasitic groups such as flukes and tapeworms. Parasitic worms can infect humans and animals, causing diseases such as ascariasis, schistosomiasis, and taeniasis.

Reproduction and development also vary widely. Some vermes are hermaphroditic, others have separate sexes, and life cycles can include intermediate hosts or multiple larval stages. Environmental factors influence their growth, reproduction, and survival.

Humans interact with vermes in multiple ways. They contribute to soil health and nutrient cycling, particularly through vermicomposting using earthworms. At the same time, many parasitic worms are of medical and veterinary concern, necessitating control and treatment measures. The word ver­me ultimately derives from Latin vermis, meaning worm.