Phylum Annelida
What is Phylum Annelida?
Phylum Annelida they are simply known as the segmented worms. Its
body has two tubes. The outer tube serves the body wall and the
inner tube serves the digestive canal. The tubes are separated from
one another by a cavity.
They are usually found in marine, fresh water and sub-terrestrial
areas.
BODY STRUCTURE
Annelids vary in structure depending on their class, environment, and
whether they are free-moving or sedentary. Most annelids have segmented
bodies, a body cavity called a coelom, and setae hairs along the body.
Annelids also possess bilateral symmetry, meaning they can be cut in
half lengthwise into two symmetrical halves.
Annelid worms made up of bones and cartilage. It has what's known as a
hydrostatic skeleton, or hydroskeleton. This kind of skeleton is based on
the Greek root hydro-, meaning water.
REPRODUCTION • Most Annelids are hermaphrodite, i.e., male
and female organs are present in the same
body1. They reproduce both sexually and
asexually, while others reproduce sexually.
Some annelida species have distinct sexes,
while most polychaete worms have separate
males and females and external fertilization.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYLUM ANNELIDA
• They have a long and segmented body. • They have parapodia and chitinous setae, used for
locomotion.
• Annelids are bilaterally symmetrical.
• Their body appears red due to the presence of
• They are triploblastic. haemoglobin.
• they exhibit organ system grade of organization, showing • Excretory and nervous systems are present.
organ differentiation.
• The digestive system is complete and developed.
• The body is covered with a thin cuticle.
• Respiration happens through the general body surface.
• They are coelomate. A body cavity or coelom is present.
• These invertebrates have a true closed circulatory
• Annelids live in moist environments, moist soil, system.
freshwater and marine water.
• Sexes may be separate or united, wherein they are called
• Fertilization can be internal or external. hermaphrodites.
Phylum Annelida includes different
classes, each adapted to specific
environments:
1. Erantia polychaetes are active
marine worms found in shallow
coastal waters, intertidal zones,
and deep-sea areas.
2. Sedentaria polychaetes, on the
other hand, live in tubes or
burrows they build in sand or on
rocks throughout the ocean.
3. Basal annelid groups are
primitive forms found in both
marine and sometimes freshwater
habitats, with simpler bodies and
basic adaptations.
LOCOMATION • Involves extending the • A wavelike contraction
body, anchoring it to a originating in the
surface with setae, and circulatory muscles then
contracting body passes toward the
muscles. posterior end.
Examples of Phylum
Annelida
Earthworms
(Lumbricus
terrestris)
•Found in soil ecosystems
worldwide, earthworms play a
crucial role in soil fertility and
nutrient cycling through their
burrowing activities and digestion
of organic matter.
Leeches
(Hirudinea)
•These segmented worms are
typically found in freshwater
environments and are known for
their ability to feed on blood. They
have a specialized anterior sucker
for attachment and a segmented
body that aids in movement.
PHYLUM ANNELIDA'S PARASITIC
1. Leech Bites— Leech bites can occur 3. Allergic Reactions–Some individuals
when bathing or swimming in may develop allergic reactions to
contaminated water. Leeches have an annelids, particularly leeches.
anterior oral sucker and a posterior
sucker. 4. Annelid-Associated Diseases–While
annelids themselves do not cause
2. Infections– Although rare, infections specific diseases, they can serve as
can occur from exposure to intermediate hosts for certain parasites.
contaminated soil or water containing
annelids.
Description of Class on
every Phylum
Organism
Bristle worms have less conspicuous Fireworms are brightly colored marine
colors and their bristles, while also worms known for their venomous
irritating, do not inject venom but serve bristles that can cause painful stings
more as a defense mechanism. when touched.
CLASS
OLIGOCHAETES
Description:
Is a subclass of soft-bodied animals in the
phylum Annelida, which is made up of many
types of aquatic and terrestrial worms,
including all of the various earthworms.
Characteristics
• They are mostly freshwater and terrestrial organisms.
• The body is segmented metamerically.
• Head, eyes and tentacles are not distinct.
• They are hermaphrodites, but cross-fertilization takes place.
• Fertilization is external.
• Cocoon formation occurs.
• Setae are segmented.
• They do not possess parapodia but clitellum is present.
• The organisms belonging to this class are monoecious.
• They exhibit no free larval stage and the development takes place inside the cocoons.
Organisms
Pheretima are terrestrial annelids crucial for Tubifex worms are freshwater oligochaete
soil health and nutrient cycling in terrestrial worms commonly used as live food in
ecosystems. aquariums
CLASS HIRUDINEA
Description:
The Hirudinea, or true leeches, are
highly specialized clitellates,
separated from other annelid
groups by the presence of an
anterior circumoral sucker and a
posterior ventral sucker.
Characteristics
• Most commonly found in freshwater. Some are marine, terrestrial, and parasitic.
• The body is segmented. •The tentacles, parapodia, and setae are not present.
• The animals are monoecious. •The body is dorsoventrally or cylindrically flattened.
• They have an anterior and posterior sucker on the ventral side.
• The organisms lay eggs in cocoons.
• There is no larval stage during the development of the organism.
• The mouth is located ventrally in the anterior sucker, while the anus is present dorsally in the
posterior sucker.
• Fertilization is internal.
• They are hermaphrodites
Organism
Hirudinaria
Hirudinaria is a genus of freshwater
leeches known for their blood-feeding
habits and characteristic segmented
bodies with suckers on both ends.
References
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