Earthworm Morphology Anatomy, Types, and Reproductive System

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Digestive Enzymes

What is an Earthworm?

Disorders of the Circulatory System

Morphology of Earthworm

• The body of an earthworm is segmented and reddish-brown. The body is divided into tiny pieces. The ventral side has genital holes, while the dorsal side has a black line of blood veins. The mouth and prostomium, which is the organ that aids in burrowing, are what set apart the inner end.
• Segments 14 through 16 of a mature earthworm include clitellum, a glandular tissue. This makes it easier to tell the mouth from the tail ends. According to specific theories, the body can be divided into three sections: prepatellar, clitellar, and postclitellar.
• The earthworm can carry the sex organs of both sexes, male and female. Segments 5–9 accommodate four pairs of spermathecal openings. Eid, the female genital pore, is stored in the fourteenth segment, while male genitalia is in the eighteenth segment. An S-shaped Setae, which aids in the earthworm's propulsion, is present throughout the body except for the first, last, and clitellum segments.

Ecology

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Anatomy of Earthworms

• They have long, cylinder-shaped bodies separated by metameres. The genital hole is on the ventral surface, and the mid-dorsal line is on the dorsal surface.
• The periosteum, the first body segment, has a mouth and is surrounded by 14–16 other elements by a dark band known as the clitellum.
• Locomotion: S-shaped setae exist in every segment except the first, last, and clitellum.
• Alimentary Canal: This straight tube connects the first and last segments. It has the buccal cavity, throat, and oesophagus, which leads to the gizzards. It assists in crushing soil fragments and decomposing leaves. The anus is reached from the stomach and small intestine.
• Excretory system: Nephridia, or coiled segmental tubules, are the excretory organs. Nephridia can be of three different types:
  • Septal nephridia are one.
  • Nephridia of the skin.
  • Nephridia of the pharynx.
• Fertilization: Mature sperm and egg cells are deposited in the soil's cocoon with nutritional ingredients to initiate fertilisation.

Digestion In Ruminants

Reproductive System of an Earthworm

• Two pairs of testicles: Segments 10 and 11 each hold one pair of testicles.
• Vasa Deferentia: Two pairs of vasa deferentia are present. Each side of vasa deferentia runs exceptionally close to the other until the 18th segment. The prostatic duct that leaves the prostate gland in the 18th segment is joined to both vasa differentia on each side.
• Two pairs of Accessory Glands: These are located internally in the 17th and 19th segments. These glands' secretions aid in holding the two worms together during copulation.

Dog Life Cycle

• Oviduct and a single set of ovaries: Two white ovarian lumps are on the septum's posterior surface between the 12th and 13th segments. Two small tubes, one lying in each direction, are located behind the ovaries.
• Four pairs of spermathecae are found in the 6th-9th segments, where the spermatozoa are kept.

Difference Between Plant Cell And Animal Cell

Circulatory System of an Earthworm

• Heart: A tubular heart is one of four pairs that make up an earthworm's heart. The 7th and 9th segments include the lateral hearts and the two anterior pairs of the heart. They link the ventral blood vessels to the dorsal blood vessels. The lateral-oesophagal hearts, the posterior two pairs of hearts, are located in segments 12 and 13.
• Blood Vessels: The following types of blood vessels can be observed in an earthworm:
  • Dorsal Blood Vessel: This is the body's largest blood vessel, running mid-dorsally above the alimentary canal. The valves found in the vessel stop blood from flowing backwards. Through the multiple connecting vessels, it has the purpose of receiving blood from diverse earthworm parts.
  • Ventral Blood Vessels: There are no valves in this. From the body's anterior to poster ends, blood flows. Its primary purpose is to distribute blood.
• Blood: An earthworm's blood is red. The protein called haemoglobin, which is found in the plasma and aids in delivering oxygen for respiration, gives blood its red colour. Fluid plasma and colourless blood corpuscles make up the blood. The blood of an earthworm contains solely leukocytes, which are phagocytic and enter the body. Leukocytes are the only type of blood corpuscles that can be found in the body.
• Blood Glands: In the fourth and sixth segments, tiny, reddish follicular structures are known as blood glands. They are in charge of producing blood corpuscles and haemoglobin.

Difference Between Human Brain And Animal Brain

Types of Earthworms

• Epigeic earthworms: 'Epigeic' is the Greek word for 'on the earth' because these worms do not dig burrows but live on the soil surface among decaying organic debris. These are also known as compost earthworms or surface-dwelling earthworms because they reside near compost or leaf piles on the soil's surface. They consume dung, leaf litter, and decomposing plant materials as food. They like to live among topsoil and loose organic materials because they are poor burrowers.
• Endogeic earthworms: The word "endogeic" means "inside the earth" in Greek, and as a result, these worms burrow under the upper soil layers and rarely come to the surface, preferring actually to reside within the earth. Although some will dig far into the earth, they are typically found in the topmost soil layers, making semi-permanent, horizontal tunnels or beneath rocks and logs. They often only surface on the ground during heavy rain because the additional moisture prevents them from drying out.
• Anecic earthworms: The word "Anecic" is Greek meaning "out of the earth," as these worms dwell underground but forage for food at the soil level. These worms create permanent burrows up to six feet below the soil's surface by burrowing vertically in the mineral layers. They have enormous burrow systems that can have a diameter of one inch. These worms pull organic materials like fallen leaves back underground to their burrows after collecting nourishment from above ground. They have also been observed eating some litter and soil.

Ecological Succession

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