Question

The difference between male & female genital aperture of earthworm is_________

• A. Male genital aperture opens dossally & female genital pore opens ventrally
• B. Male genetal aperture is paired, female genital aperture is single
• C. both a & b
• D. Male genital aperture is paired, present in 14th segment & female genital aperture is single, present in 18th segment

Answer 1

The correct option is B Male genetal aperture is paired, female genital aperture is single

Earthworm is a hermaphrodite (bisexual animal) i.e. both testes and ovaries are present in a single animal.
There are two pairs of testes present in 10th and 11th segments. Their vasa differentia run up to 18th segment where they meet with the prostatic duct. Two pairs of accessory glands are present, each in 17th and 19th segment. The common prostate and spermatic duct open to exterior by a pair of male genital pores on the ventrolateral sides of 18th segment.
One pair of ovaries is attached to the intersegmental septum of 12th and 13th segment. Ovarian funnels present beneath the ovaries continue into the oviduct, join together to form common oviduct and opens to exterior by a single, median female genital pore on the 14th segment.