Question

How are the animals of Annelida and Platyhelminthes different from each other in reproduction though they both are hermaphrodite?

Answer 1

Both Annelids and platyhelminthes are hermaphrodites and cross fertilization takes place. While the fertilization in platyhelminthes is internal. Egg capsules are laid which give rise to young ones directly without any larval stage.

While in earthworms the sperm is deposited externally during copulation. Clitellum produces a leathery cocoon which receives the egg and the sperm and fertilization takes place inside the cocoon while it is being deposited in the soil. There are no larval stages.