Question

Pheretima is
A. Arborial
B. Scansorial
C. Fossorial
D. Cursorial

Answer 1

Hint: Pheretima (Earthworm) live in burrows secreted by the cutaneous glands. Burrows are found in moist soil, with more humus, maximum in garden soil.

Complete answer:
The animals that live in burrows or tunnels are called fossorial animals. Pheretima is a fossorial animal as it lives in moist soil burrows. In the summer season, when the topsoil is dry, earthworms make burrows deep into the soil to keep them cool. The earthworm burrows are lined by slimy secretions of its skin. The underground habitat of Pheretima helps in temperature regulation as well as for protection from predators or for food storage. Pheretima feeds on dead organic matter present in the soil. The food and soil are ingested together and the latter along with undigested food soil is finally egested in the form of little heaps of pellets called worm castings.

Among the given options:
Arboreal animals are the animals that spend the most of their lives in trees. They do all their activities in the tree canopy. They have evolved special adaptations to aid their arboreal lifestyles.
Scansorial animals are capable of, or adapted for climbing. They spend at least some of their time climbing and are therefore scansorial. Although the term is not only restricted to climbing on plants but it can also refer to climbing on buildings, cliffs or other three-dimensional surfaces.
Fossorial animals are adapted to live underground, often by digging a burrow or tunnel. They have various adaptations to successfully dig burrows and spend time underground.
Cursorial animals are ones that are adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it is able to run fast or if it can keep a constant speed for a long distance (high endurance). "

So, the correct answer is option C.

Note: Many earthworms secrete mucus (coelomic fluid) that helps them to form a cement-like substance that lines their burrows and protects the walls from collapsing. This fluid also helps them to move more easily through the soil.