Annelids -- Animals
Evolutionary Milestones
Annelids are the first animal to have an enclosed body cavity.
Habitat
Annelids live almost anywhere except frozen soil and dry sand or soil.
Anatomical/Structural Features
Annelids have two body openings and as adults they have cylindrical and segmented bodies. They have a closed circulatory system (lood contained within a network of vessels).
Symmetry
Annelids have bilateral symmetry.
How They Acquire Nutrients
Annelids are heterotrophic and can be filter feeders, detritivores, or predators.
What They Eat
Annelids eat other small invertebrates, sediments and deposits, platonic creatures, and blood.
What Eats Them
They are a major part of the diet for many fish and for many land animals such as moles, hedgehogs, and birds (such as the black bird).
Mobility
Annelids use setae (tiny bristles on each segment) to move.
Reproduction
Earthworms and leeches are hermaphrodites, white bristle worms reproduce sexually via reproduction.
Development
If reproducing sexually, fertilized eggs develop into larvae, which later metamorphose into adults.
Examples
Some examples of annelids include earthworms, leeches, bristle worms, lug worms, plumed worms, sea mice, and fan worms.
Other Information
Annelids are separated into three classes: oligochaetas, hirudina, and polychaeta.
Earthworms aerate and fertilize soil. Leeches are used medically for limb reattachment.
Annelids are the first animal to have an enclosed body cavity.
Habitat
Annelids live almost anywhere except frozen soil and dry sand or soil.
Anatomical/Structural Features
Annelids have two body openings and as adults they have cylindrical and segmented bodies. They have a closed circulatory system (lood contained within a network of vessels).
Symmetry
Annelids have bilateral symmetry.
How They Acquire Nutrients
Annelids are heterotrophic and can be filter feeders, detritivores, or predators.
What They Eat
Annelids eat other small invertebrates, sediments and deposits, platonic creatures, and blood.
What Eats Them
They are a major part of the diet for many fish and for many land animals such as moles, hedgehogs, and birds (such as the black bird).
Mobility
Annelids use setae (tiny bristles on each segment) to move.
Reproduction
Earthworms and leeches are hermaphrodites, white bristle worms reproduce sexually via reproduction.
Development
If reproducing sexually, fertilized eggs develop into larvae, which later metamorphose into adults.
Examples
Some examples of annelids include earthworms, leeches, bristle worms, lug worms, plumed worms, sea mice, and fan worms.
Other Information
Annelids are separated into three classes: oligochaetas, hirudina, and polychaeta.
Earthworms aerate and fertilize soil. Leeches are used medically for limb reattachment.