Annelida Meaning
Annelida meaning, it is a phylum that is derived from the Latin word annellus, which means a small ring. They show a protostome development in embryonic stages and thus annelids are also referred to as "segmented worms''. They are widely found in marine, terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Annelids include earthworms, leeches, Polychaete worms.
Approximately 15000 species are categorized under this phylum of which mostly are polychaetes. Annelids have well-developed neuronal and digestive systems and their reproductive strategies include sexual dimorphism.
Classification of Annelida
Below mentioned is the classification of annelida:-
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Superphylum: Lophotrochozoa
General Characteristics of Annelida
Annelida species range in length from less than 1 millimeter to over 3 meters. All annelids are bilaterally symmetrical, with an elongated cylindrical body shape divided both externally and internally by regular, linear series of segments.
The distinctive characters of Annelida include:
1. Metamerism
Annelids have three body regions. The majority of the body consists of repeating units called segments. Each segment is limited by septa, dividing it from the neighboring segments, and has a fluid-filled cavity within it that is referred to as a coelom.
Segments are formed sequentially in annelids and established during development from growth zones located at the posterior end of the body, so the youngest segment in the body of the annelid is always the most posterior. In the annelid body, the only parts that are not segmental are the head and the terminal region that is post-segmental called the pygidium. The head consists of two units, the prostomium, and peristomium. The post-segmental pygidium includes the zone from which new segments proliferate during growth. Annelids have the amazing capacity to regrow segments that are broken down into pieces, this is called regeneration.
2. Chaetae
A distinctive feature of annelids is a structure called chaetae also called setae are bundles of chitinous, thin-walled cylinders held together by sclerotized protein. Chaetae are defined as cuticular structures that are produced by a microvillar border of certain invaginated epidermal cells and develop within epidermal follicles. Chaetae show a huge amount of variation from long thin filaments to stout multi-pronged hooks.
3. Clitellum
The clitellum is a structure that is present on the anterior portion of the worm that helps to generate the mucus to aid in sperm transfer from one worm to another, it also forms a cocoon within which fertilization occurs.
Anatomy
Anatomical features of annelida species include
A closed circulatory system is present where the dorsal and ventral blood vessels run parallel to the alimentary canal as well as capillaries that flow to individual tissues.
An excretory system consisting of tubular metanephridia.
A complete digestive system.
Annelida segmentation is metameric.
A well-developed nervous system that includes a nerve ring of fused ganglia is present around the pharynx. The nerve cord is present in a ventral position, that consists of enlarged nodes or ganglia in each of the segments.
Sensory organs for detecting light and other stimuli.
Gills for gas exchange but many exchange gases through their skin.
Reproduction
Most species of annelids can produce both sexually and asexually. However, leeches can reproduce only sexually. Asexual reproduction occurs through budding or fission sexual reproduction varies by species.
In some annelida species, the same individual produces both sperm and egg. This is termed hermaphroditism. Worms exchange their sperm by mating rather than self-fertilizing their own eggs. Fertilized eggs are deposited in a mucous cocoon. Offspring emerges from the cocoon looking like small adults. The larval cannot be found instead they directly grow to adult size.
While in some species like Polychaete there are separate sexes. Major transformation occurs in adult worms to develop the reproductive organs. The fertilization takes place in water by the release of gametes into the water. Offsprings go through a larval stage before developing through adults.
Types of Annelids
Below mentioned are the types of annelids:-
Earthworm: They are deposit feeders. They eat soil, extracting the organic matter and they burrow through the ground. Earthworm feces are called worm casts, and are very rich in plant nutrients. Earthworm burrows help aerate the soil, which is good for plants. They are also called farmers' friends.
Polychaetes: They live on the ocean floor. They may be active predators, sedentary filter feeders, or scavengers. Active species in search of food can crawl along the ocean floor.
Leeches: They are either predators or parasites. As predators, they capture and eat other invertebrates. As parasites, they feed off the blood of vertebrate hosts. They have a tubular organ called the proboscis for feeding.
Conclusion:
After the roundworms the phylum Annelida came into picture. These are segmented worms who have much more advanced features such as coelomates that allows them to coordinate digestion. They are the first ones to display segmentation and they have a closed circulatory system. They evolve a new excretory system called nephridia. They are well-improved ones compared to Platyhelminthes and lack some of the features from molluscs.
FAQs on Annelida
1. Give the Classification of Annelida.
Ans. Phylum Annelida consists the group
Polychaetes (about 12000 species) have multiple chaetae per segment. Also, have parapodia that function as limbs and have chemosensors. Most are marine animals that live in freshwater and few on land.
Oligochaetes include earthworms, they have a sticky pad on the roof of their mouth. Most are burrowers that feed on wholly or partially decomposed organic materials.
Hirudinea means leech-shaped and the best-known members of Hirudinea are the leeches. Marine species are mostly parasites that focus on blood-sucking, mainly on fish, while most freshwater species are predators. They have suckers at both ends of their bodies and used to move rather like inchworms.
2. Define the Term “Chaetae”.
Ans. The Annelida animals have a special structure called chaetae, they are chitinous hair-like extensions, anchored in the epidermis and projecting from the cuticle present in every segment. Basic forms are capillaries and spines. Capillaries are the most common form of the kitty and are very thin and tapering. Spines are also common but are thicker and shunted than capillaries and may be curved or straight.
3. Mention the General Characters of Annelida.
Ans. The general characters of Annelida have been mentioned below:-
Annelids are triploblastic animals and they are coelomate.
They show the organ system level of the organization.
They have segmented body and respire through the body surface.
They have specialized excretory organs called nephridia.
They also have a well developed circulatory system and digestive system.
Annelida feeding: They vary in how they obtain their food, they eat dead plants and animals, while eating these they also consume small particles of soil and the pebbles.
