Question

Describe general characteristics of phylum Annelida .Give one example each class of Annelida.

Answer 1

Annelida:

1. The common name of annelids is segmented or ringed worms.
2. Phylum Annelida is a very broad phylum belonging to the kingdom Animalia.
3. The Annelids are coelomate and triploblastic.
4. They exhibit organ system-level organization.
5. Their body is segmented.
6. A closed circulatory system is present in annelids.
7. Blood is circulated through blood vessels, capillaries, and the heart.
8. The exoskeleton is absent; the body is covered by a thin cuticle.
9. The alimentary canal is tube-like, complete, and extends straight from the mouth to the anus.
10. In annelids, the excretory organs are nephridia.
11. Nephridia is an excretory organ that removes nitrogenous waste from the body cavity and expels them through the pores outside the body.
12. The locomotory organs in annelids include parapodia, suckers, and setae.
13. Reproduction is by sexual means. Sexes may be united (hermaphroditic) or separate.
14. Examples are Pheretima (Class-Clitelatta) and Nereis (Polychaeta).