PHYLUM ANNELIDA

1. What characteristics of phylum Annelida distinguish it from other phyla? (Fig 17.2)

− Segmentation (metamerism): division of the body into a serially repeated units

− Setae: structure that helps to anchor segments during locomotion and long, hairlike setae
aid aquatic forms in swimming; helps to anchor to substrates

− Parapodia: paired muscular bristle-bearing appendages used in locomotion, sensation, or

respiration.

− Unique annelida head

2. Describe the annelid body plan, including body wall, segments, and coelom.

− Body wall

 Triploblastic; outer circular and inner longitudinal muscle layers

− Segments

 Series of segments, each of which contains similar components of all major organ
systems such as reproductive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and excretory organs,
but not digestive organs.

− Coelom

 Well developed and divided by septa/mesentery (except in leeches)

3. Define each of the following: prostomium, peristomium, pygidium, parapodium. (Fig 17.2)

- Prostomium: the most anterior pre-segmental part of the body to the mouth, which may or
may not be retractile and often bears antennae, eyes, tentacles, and palps

- Peristomium: the first distinct post-prostomal region or segment around the mouth,

includes the tentacular cirrus (especially in ciliary feeders, which may bear a crown of
tentacles that can be opened like a fan or withdrawn into the tube) and the proboscis.

- Pygidium: the terminal unit of posterior end of annelids

- Parapodium: unjointed segmental extensions of the body wall found in many polychaetes

4. Compare the main features of each of the following in each class of annelids: circulatory
system, nervous system, excretory system.

System Polychaeta Oligochaeta Hirudinida

Circulatory - Blood is transferred - Double transport - Reduced coelom to a

through dorsal longitudinal system (coelomic fluid system of coelomic
vessel to the anterior region, and a closed sinuses (hollow
and through ventral
 longitudinal vessel to the
posterior region
- In some, circulatory system
is reduced and joins directly
with the coelom. Septa are
incomplete, and thus the
coelomic fluid assumes the
function of circulation
- Fig 17.2D, 17,3
Nervous Have 2 brains:
- anterior brain composed of
6 pairs of fused ganglia
- posterior brain composed
of 7 pairs of fused ganglia
- 21 pairs of segmental
ganglia occur along the
double nerve cord
- Fig 17.19
Excretory - Most have metanephridia
(one pair per segment, with
the inner end of each
(nephrostome) opening into
a coelomic compartment.
Coelomic fluid passes into
the nephrostome, and
selective resorption occurs
along the nephridial duct).
- Fig 17.2, 17.18
5. What was the evolutionary significance of segmentation and the coelom?
- Segmentation:
circulatory system) cavities) and channels.
- Dorsal vessel - Some have circulatory
functions as true heart system as in class
Oligochaeta but the
- Ventral vessel serves
coelomic sinuses
as an aorta
function as the blood
- Fig 17.2D, 17,3 vessels.
- Consists of a central Have 2 brains
system and peripheral
- anterior brain
nerves (cerebral
composed of 6 pairs of
ganglia (brain),
fused ganglia
circumpharyngeal
connective, - posterior brain
subpharyngeal composed of 7 pairs of
ganglion, nerve cord, fused ganglia
and a pair of fused
ganglia - Additional 21 pairs of
segmental ganglia
- Fig 17.19 occur along the double
nerve cord
- Fig 17.19
- Each segment (except There are 10 to 17
the first three and the pairs of nephridia that
last one) bears a pair of involved in excretory
metanephridia functions.
- Each metanephridium
occupies parts of two
successive segments
(starting with wastes
entering through
nephrostome in one
segment, into the
loops of nephridium in
the following posterior
segment, and wastes
are excreted through
nephridiopore)
- Fig. 17.18
 - Segmentation increases burrowing efficiency by permitting the independent
movement of separate segments.

- Fine control of movements allowed, in turn, the evolution of a more sophisticated

nervous system.

- Moreover, repetition of body parts gave the organisms a built in redundancy that
provided a safety factor: if one segment should fail, others could still function. Thus an
injury to one part would not necessarily be fatal.

- Coelom:

- Physiological independence: The covering provides a barrier to losing large

molecules designed for function of the organ as well as preventing entry from those
of other organs. Thus the proper mix of chemicals needed for the specific role of
the organ is not disrupted and/or is easier to maintain.

- Spatial independence: Fluid-filled coelom can serves as hydrostatic skeleton. Organs

can reposition themselves without great distortion during movements, thus their
functions will not be disrupted due to movements.

6. Explain how the hydrostatic skeleton of annelids helps them to burrow. How is the efficiency
for burrowing increased by segmentation?

- The coelom of most annelids is filled with fluid and serves as a hydrostatic skeleton.

- The volume of fluid in a coelomic compartment is essentially constant, contraction of the

longitudinal body-wall muscles causes body to shorten and to become larger in
diameter, whereas contraction of the circular muscles causes it to lengthen and become
thinner.

- However, the force of muscle contraction in one area can be carried throughout the body
by the fluid in the undivided coelom.

- The presence of septa means that widening and elongation occur in restricted areas;
crawling motions are produced by alternating waves of contraction by longitudinal and
circular muscles passing down the body (peristaltic contractions).

- Segments in which longitudinal muscles are contracted widen and anchor themselves
against the substrate while other segments, in which circular muscles are contracted,
elongate and stretch forward.

- Forces powerful enough for rapid burrowing as well as locomotion can thus be generated.

7. What are the main classes in phylum Annelida? How are these classes related to each other?

Polychaeta

Oligochaeta

Hirudinida

All of them have segmented body form.

8. How are members of clade Clitellata distinguished from polychetes?

Clitellum - present in clade Clitellata, absent in Polychaeta

Parapodia - present in Polychaeta, absent in Clitellata

9. Describe the function of the clitellum and cocoon.

- Clitellum: To secrete mucus that held together two individuals at their ventral sides during
copulation (sperm exchange).

- Cocoon: Provide suitable site for fertilization and development of embryo