usually along the surface of the glacier and they penetrate the glacier vertically. Research studies and medical uses Researchers are investigating what prevents the worm from freezing at temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) and are looking at the evolutionary steps by which the ice worm diverged from related species. Understanding the ice worm's physiology could suggest means by which to preserve organs for transplantation and could aid in the understanding of potential extraterrestrial life on cold planets, as well as species on Earth which survive in climates colder than previously thought possible. References Sources Hartzell, P. (2003). Glacial Ecology: North Cascades Glacier Macroinvertebrates. Retrieved on Oct. 21, 2005, from: https://web.archive.org/web/20051212000121/http://nichols.edu/departments/Glacier/bio/index.htm Pelto, M. S. (2003). Ice Worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus) and Their Habitats on North Cascade Glaciers. A study by North Cascade Glacier Climate Project. Retrieved on Sept. 28, 2005, from https://web.archive.org/web/20090209012557/http://www.nichols.edu/departments/glacier/iceworm.htm Shain, D. H., Carter M. R., Murray, K. P., Maleski, K. A., Smith, N. R., McBride, T. R., et al. (2000). Morphologic Characterization of the Ice Worm Mesenchytraeus solifugus. Journal of Morphology, 246, 192-197. Shain, D. H., Mason, T. A., Farrell, A. H., & Michalewicz, L. A. (2001). Distribution and behavior of ice worms (Mesenchytraeus solifugus) in south-central Alaska. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 79, 10, 1813-1821. External links Dr. Daniel H. Shain @ Rutgers University North Cascade Glaciers ice worms research World Glacier Biology Program @ Clark University Jason Project XIII 2001-2002 The Ballad of the Ice-Worm Cocktail by Robert W. Service @ U.S. Geological Survey Enchytraeidae Animals described in 1898 Taxa named by Carlo Emery Fauna of the Northwestern United States Fauna of Western Canada