Worms are arranged in four major groupings, or phyla: Flatworms (Platyhelminthes), Ribbon worms (Nemertea), Roundworms (Nematoda), and Segmented worms (Annelida).
The common earthworm is an annelid. Its body is divided into about 150 ring-like segments, and ranges from nine to ten inches in length. An earthworm, as its name implies, inhabits the soil, where it processes organic matter through its body, thus releasing nutrients and enriching the environment.
Mature earthworms are hermaphrodites, possessing both female and male organs (though the worms do not self-fertilize). The swollen band of tissue found on these worms is a sexual organ called the cl*tellum. The worms secrete a mucus band from this spot which serves to combine eggs and sperm received from another worm.
An earthworm moves by contracting its longitudinal and circular bands of muscles, resulting in a crawling motion. It is through the skin of the worm that oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide released. For this reason the skin must remain slimy and moist in order for the earthworm to breathe.
FAQs
Invertebrates commonly seen on the reefs include lobster, sea cucumbers, urchins, shrimp, and anemones.
Are worms invertebrates? ›
Worms are invertebrate animals with bilateral symmetry.
What do you know about sponges and worms? ›
Over 9,000 species of segmented worms have been identified. Many marine species are found on the sea bottom but are not restricted to it. Sponges are filter-feeding, colonial animals which live together as a larger unit. They appear to be plants but are in fact invertebrate animals.
What are the 10 examples of invertebrates? ›
Worldwide in distribution, they include animals as diverse as sea stars, sea urchins, earthworms, sponges, jellyfish, lobsters, crabs, insects, spiders, snails, clams, and squid.
What animal has no backbone? ›
Invertebrates do not have backbones or internal skeletons, but some have hard coverings. Insects, spiders, worms, snails, and most ocean animals are invertebrates.
Do worms feel pain? ›
Simple animals such as worms and insects do not suffer pain in the human sense, but they do use nociceptive receptor systems to steer away from potentially damaging conditions.
What are 5 examples of worms? ›
Worms are members of several invertebrate phyla, including Platyhelminthes (flatworms), Annelida (segmented worms), Nemertea (ribbon worms), Nematoda (roundworms, pinworms, etc.), Sipuncula (peanutworms), Echiura (spoonworms), Acanthocephala (spiny-headed worms), Pogonophora (beardworms), and Chaetognatha (arrowworms).
What animal is similar to a coral? ›
Corals, Anemones, & Jellies
Phylum Cnideria contains corals, anemones, and jellyfish (including Velella velella). Their name comes from the Greek word cnidos which means stinging nettles. Most animals in this phylum have a capability to sting prey with nematocyst cells which either sting or inject a toxin.
What are 5 interesting facts about sponges? ›
A sponge is a member of the phylum Porifera. It is a simple animal with many cells, but no mouth, muscles, heart or brain. It is sessile: it cannot move from place to place the way most other animals can. A sponge is an animal that grows in one spot like most plants do.
What was the first animal on earth sponge? ›
Sponges were among the earliest animals. While chemical compounds from sponges are preserved in rocks as old as 700 million years, molecular evidence points to sponges developing even earlier. Oxygen levels in the ocean were still low compared to today, but sponges are able to tolerate conditions of low oxygen.
What are the 5 most common types of Invertebrates?
- Protozoans. Single-celled organisms such as paramecia, these invertebrates are free-living or can be parasitic. ...
- Annelids. Also known as ringed worms or segmented worms. ...
- Echinoderms. ...
- Molluscs. ...
- Arthropods.
The most common marine invertebrates are sponges, cnidarians, marine worms, lophophorates, mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms and the hemichordates.
What are the 10 marine invertebrates? ›
They represent the vast majority of marine biodiversity and include, for example, sponges, corals, bluebottles, worms, shells, sea urchins, starfish, crustaceans, sea cucumbers and nudibranchs.
What are 5 organisms that live in coral reefs? ›
Coral reefs provide habitat for a large variety of marine life, including various sponges, oysters, clams, crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, and many species of fish.
