Back to category: Science

Limited version - please login or register to view the entire paper.

Annelids

Phylum of soft-bodied, bilaterally symmetrical, segmented worms are known as Annelids. The name Annelida is derived from the Latin word annellus, which means little ring, and refers to the ringlike appearance of the body segments. Annelids range in size from tiny aquatic worms, less then half a millimeter long to giant earthworms more than 3 meters long. They also vary greatly in color, patterning, number of bristles, and other superficial features. However, most annelids are quite wormlike in appearance. Annelids are found throughout the world, from deep ocean bottoms to high mountain glaciers. They live in protected habitats such as mud, sand, rock crevices and tubes that they secrete themselves. They also live in and among other invertebrate animals, such as sponges. Annelids include earthworms, polychaete worms, leeches, and some other 12,000 wormlike invertebrate animals with well-developed segmentation. These species are grouped into three main classes: the Polychaeta (c...

Posted by: Alexander Bartfield

Limited version - please login or register to view the entire paper.