Phylum Annelida

Phylum Annelida is a large phylum. Annelids are also known as ringworms or segmented worms. They exist in various environments including marine waters, fresh waters and also in moist terrestrial areas. Annelids exhibit bilateral
symmetry and are invertebrate organisms. They are coelomate and triploblastic. The body is segmented which is the most distinguishing feature of annelids.
Organism Class Important Parts Function Distinguishing Picture Others
Features
1. Nereis  Errantia  Parapodia  Parapodia- used for  Parapodia  Habitat: marine
(Clamworm)  Setae respiration and movement  Jaws Waters
 Anus  Seta- long chitinous  Teeth  Reproduction:
deeple embedded spine  Prostomium dioecious;sexual
that suppor structures of  Peristomium  Commensal
the parapodium  Cirri  Free-living
 Prostomium- is small  Locomotion:
protuberance bearing Parapodia
head’s sensory structures
of touch, taste and
photoreception
2. Hirudo (Medicinal  Sedentaria  Annulus  Suckers- The posterior  Annulus  Habitat: both land
Leech or Hirudo  Segments sucker or rear suction cup  Segments and water, and
Medicinalis)  Anus helps it move and cling to  Posterior resides exclusively
 Posterior Sucker a host but the reason why in fresh water
 Clitellum medicinal leeches are  Parasitic
such an interests to  Reproduction:
doctors is because of their Hermaphrodite
anterior sucker which  Locomotion:
houses three sharp teeth. move using their
longitudinal and
circular
muscles(Parapodi
a)
3. Earthworm  Sedentaria  Externally  Peristomium-bears the  Free-Living
(Lumbricus) - Clitella mouth which is overhung  Reproduction:
- Mouth by a lobe called the Hermaphrodite
- Segments prostomium.  Locomotion:Perist
- Setae  Clitellum- secretes egg alsis
 Internally capsules into which eggs
- Seminal Vesicles are laid.
- Crop  Anus- last segment
- Gizzard  Male Pores- the ventral
- Seminal surface of segment 15
Receptacles  Seminal Grooves-
between the male pores
and the clitellum
 Female Pores- ventral side
of segment 14
 Nephridia- excretory
organs of earthworms.
 Sperm ducts- connects the
testes to the male pores in
segment 15
 Oviducts- ciliated funnels
that carry eggs to the
female pores in the next
segment
 Ovaries-lie ventral to the
third pair of seminal
vesicles.
 Nephridiopore- where
urine passes.
 Cerebral Ganglia- lying
above the pharynx and
partially hidden by dilator
muscles
 Ventral Nerve cord- a
complex of nerves and
segmental ganglia that
coordinate sensory and
moto impulses that control
the smooth muscular
waves of forward
movement
 Cuticle- thin, nonmcellular
and secreted by the
epidermis
 Epidermis- Columnar
epithelium containing
mucous gland cells that
prevents the skin from
dying out
 Circular Muscle Layer-
Smooth muscle fibers
running around the
circumference of the body
 Muscle Layer- Thick layer
of obliquely striated fibers
that run longitudinally. May
be interrupted by the setae
and dorsal pore
 Setae- also called bristles,
they are important in the
worm’s locomotion and
also serve to anchor the
worm firmly to its burrow.
 Alimentary Canal- The
intestine surrounded by
chloragogue tissue. This
tissue plays a role in
intermediary metabolism
similar to that of the liver in
vertebrates