Difference between Nephridia and Malpighian Tubules

Excretion is the process of elimination of metabolic wastes from the body. However, the mode and organ of excretion differ from animal to animal. While humans have kidneys for excretion, insects have malpighian tubules and worms have nephridia.

Explore the differences between nephridia and malpighian tubules in the table below.

Nephridia

Nephridia (sing.: nephridium) is the unit of the excretory system in invertebrates. They are almost equivalent to kidneys in vertebrates. They always occur in pairs. There are two kinds of nephridia: protonephridia and metanephridia.

The protonephridia are found in lower primitive invertebrates such as ribbon worms and flatworms. Metanephridia is found in higher invertebrates such as earthworms.

Protonephridia are tubules that lack internal openings. The end cells are either ciliated or flagellated. The ciliated cells are called flame cells, and the flagellated cells are called solenocytes. The tube opens into these cells, where the filtered urine is finally excreted.

Metanephridium lacks flame cells but opens directly into the body cavity. The tubule is ciliated to absorb the nutrients, and finally, the urine is passed for excretion.

Malpighian Tubules

Malpighian tubules are excretory systems found in insects. They are located in the abdominal body cavity and drain between the midgut and hindgut. They excrete in the form of uric acids. There are tubules branched throughout the alimentary canal that absorb ions, water and solutes from the surrounding haemolymph.

Nephridia vs Malpighian Tubules

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Also Read:

• Modes of Excretion and Excretory Wastes
• Role of Liver and Other Organs in Excretion
• Excretion in Plants -Transpiration and Excretory Products
• Difference Between Secretion and Excretion – Comparison Chart