EXERCISE 5 ANNELIDA: OBSERVATION
AND CLASSIFICATION OF
SPECIMENS
Structure
5.1 Introduction
Objectives
5.2 Materials Required
5.3 General Characters and Outline Classification
5.4 Observation of Specimens
Nereis
Aphrodite
Pheretima
Hirudinaria
5.5 Terminal Questions
5.1 INTRODUCTION
In Latin Annelida means “little rings”. If you happen to see a long, elongated,
soft bodied, slimy worm with rings all over its body (on its anterio-posterior
axis), it is an annelid (an animal belonging to phylum Annelida). These rings
divide the animal’s body into smaller compartments or segments or somites or
meros. Annelids are different from flatworms (Platyhelminthes) and round
worms (Nemathelminthes) in having these rings. They also differ from
arthropods (specially centipedes and millipedes) because of their slimy, soft
outer skin. Phylum Annelida includes the most familiar and eco-friendly
earthworms and also the feared blood-sucking leeches. Nereis, a marine
worm, is also a good and typical textbook representative of this phylum but it is
not so commonly seen around us.
Annelids are distributed worldwide; they inhabit practically all parts of the
temperate and tropical regions of the earth. In fact, this phylum comprises
8600 species. Most of them prefer living in sea, but there are freshwater and
terrestrial forms as well. You will observe and learn to classify some typical
representatives of phylum Annelida like the earthworms that make burrows in
damp soil, Nereis that live in the sea, Aphrodite that creeps on the sea floor,
and leeches that live both on land and in water. It would be helpful to study
Unit 7 in Block 2 of Animal Diversity course before you come for this exercise.
Objectives
After performing this exercise you be able to:
• identify the specimens of Nereis, Aphrodite, Pheretima and Hirudinaria
and give their scientific and common names,
• draw labelled diagrams of the identified genera,
• classify each of the identified annelids up to the level of the class,
Animal Diversity: • list characters justifying their classification and mention special features, if
Laboratory
any,
• mention the habit and geographical distribution of each of the identified
genera and
• mention economic importance, if any, of each of the identified genera.
5.2 MATERIALS REQUIRED
1. Preserved specimens of Nereis, Chaetopteus, Aphrodite, Pheretima and
Hirudinaria
2. A hand lens
3. Note book, pencil, etc.
5.3 GENERAL CHARACTERS AND OUTLINE
CLASSIFICATION
You would recall from Unit 7 in Block 2 of Animal Diversity course that
annelids are segmented, triploblastic, coelomates, bilaterally symmetrical,
protostomes, having well-developed organ systems.
Before we explain to you the specialities of the specimens in your course
(Nereis, Chaetopterus, Aphrodite, Pheretima and Hirudinaria), it is essential to
explain the general characters and classification of Phylum Annelida.
General Characters of Phylum Annelida
i) Body long, elongated, worm-like, having metameric segmentation, with
the exception of anterior and posterior most sides of the body. A small
part towards the head may also be without apparent segments. This part
is called clitellum and is best seen in earthworms - refer to Fig. 5.6.
ii) Body is bilaterally symmetrical.
iii) Triploblastic and have true schizocoelous coelom. Coelomic fluid
supplies turgidity to the soft body and functions as hydrostatic skeleton.
iv) Found on land and in water.
v) Skin is soft, slimy and moist because exchange of gases takes place
through it.
vi) Circulatory system is closed and metamerically arranged. Respiratory
pigments like haemoglobin, hemerythrin or chlorocruorin may be
present in different annelids.
vii) Digestive system well developed and complete, may or may not be
segmentally arranged.
viii) Respiration takes place through special structures (besides skin) like
gills, and parapodia that are thin, vascular, flap like extensions of body
wall, projecting on lateral side, also used for locomotion. Chitinous
setae often present on the parapodia.
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ix) Excretion is by many segmentally arranged nephridia (singular Annelida: Observation and
Classification of Specimens
nephridium). These are small coiled structures having a ciliated funnel
(nephrostome) inside the coelom and a small pore (nephridiopore)
opening on the body wall.
x) Nervous system with a double ventral nerve cord having a pair of
ganglia - in each segment. Brain has two cerebral ganglia connected to
nerve cord.
xi) Sensory structures like tactile organs, taste buds, statocyst,
photoreceptors and eyes with lenses may be present in some.
xii) Some annelids are hermaphrodite (earthworm, leech). Some have
separate sexes (Nereis).
xiii) In some annelids development may be through a trochophore larva,
some show asexual reproduction by budding. Development is mosaic
(indeterminate) by spiral cleavage.
Animals of phylum Annelida have been divided into three classes –
Polychaeta, Oligochaeta and Hirudinea. This classification is based mainly
on the following traits:
• presence or absence of distinct head and sense organs.
• presence or absence of clitellum.
• mode of locomotion.
Distinguishing features of three annelid classes are tabulated in Table 5.1.
Table 5.1: Distinguishing Characteristic Features of Annelid Classes.
Sl. Polychaeta Oligochaeta Hirudinea
No. (e.g: Nereis, Aphrodite, (e.g: Pheretima, (e.g: Hirudinaria,
Chaetopterus, Glycera, Aeolosoma, Placobdella,
Arenicola) Tubifex) Pontobdella,
Macrobdella)
1. Mostly marine, burrowing. Mostly terrestrial, Mostly terrestrial,
burrowing and freshwater and
fresh water. marine.
2. Head distinct. Head not distinct. Head not distinct.
3. No suckers. No suckers. Anterior and
posterior suckers
present.
4. Head bears eyes, palps Head does not Head does not bear
and tentacles. bear any such special sensory
sensory structures. structures but has
simple light sensitive
eyespotss.
5. Body has fixed number of Number of Body has fixed
segments. segments variable. number of
segments.
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Animal Diversity: 6. Locomotion by Locomotion by Locomotion by
Laboratory
segmentally arranged chitinous setae. suckers.
flap-like parapodia.
7. Sexes separate. Hermaphrodite. Hermaphrodite.
8. Development through No larval stage. No larval stage.
trochophore larva.
9. No clitellum. Permanent Clitellum appears
clitellum. only during breeding
season.
10 No cocoon formation. Cocoon formation. Cocoon formation.
5.4 OBSERVATION OF SPECIMENS
If you have understood the general characters and classification of Phylum
Annelida it will be much easier for you to identify and describe some of the
typical specimens of each class. Besides general characters each animal has
some or the other very special characters. We will now classify and describe
the specimens in your course one by one.
5.4.1 Nereis
Special Characters
Examine the given preserved specimen with the aid of a hand lens and
compare with the Fig. 5.1.
You will note the following features:
i) Nereis virens is generally 40 cm long, about 1.25 cm wide and shining
blue in colour in nature.
Fig. 5.1: Nereis.
ii) Examine the head and note the prostomium, which bears four dark eyes,
a pair of small tentacles, and fleshy palps (Fig. 5.2a).
iii) At the back of the prostomium is the peristomium bearing four pairs of
peristomial tentacles.
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iv) The pharynx, bearing pincer like jaws, is inverted into the head. While Annelida: Observation and
Classification of Specimens
feeding, the jaw is everted and used for capturing prey. After ingesting the
prey the proboscis is retracted back to its original position (Fig.5.2b).
v) Posteriorly each segment bears a pair of lateral parapodia. Each
parapodium is divided into a dorsal lobe (notopodium) and a ventral lobe
(neuropodium). Parapodia are strengthened by aciculum and acicular
muscles. Notochaetae and neurochaetae project out to make locomotory
stroke effective. Sensory dorsal and ventral cirri are present (Fig.5.3).
(a) (b)
Fig. 5.2: Nereis Everted proboscis. (a) Top view with everted probosis. (b) Side
view retracted proboscis.
Fig. 5.3: Nereis: cross section with parapodium.
Habit and Habitat
Clam worms are marine and widely distributed. Many species of Nereis are
found in intertidal zones in shallow waters on sandy shores hidden below
stones, logs, and rocks or among seaweeds. Some species live in burrows of
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Animal Diversity: sand, which are lined by their own body mucus. They are free living, predatory
Laboratory
and nocturnal and feed on small crustaceans, molluscs and small annelids
Geographical Distribution: Nereis is cosmopolitan in distribution and found
in coastal waters of Pacific and North Atlantic
oceans, Europe and U.S.A.
Classification and its Justification
Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with
cells that lack a cell wall, many capable
of movement or movement of some of
their body parts or capable of movement
at some time of their life cycle;
heterotrophic nutrition.
Phylum Annelida Triploblastic, vermiform, coelomate,
metamerically segmented; appendages
unjointed.
Class Polychaeta Setae numerous; clitellum absent
Genus Nereis
Species virens
Common Name Clam worm
Heteronereis (if available in the Study Center)
Heteronereis is a sexually mature Nereis differing drastically from a non-breeding
Nereis. The gonads develop in the posterior half of the body called the epitoke
(Fig.5.4).
Sexual maturity brings about following changes:
i) The parapodia become larger and more vascular, oar-shaped chaetae
become distinct. Extra foliaceous outgrowths can be seen too. Dorsal and
ventral cirri get enlarged.
ii) Eyes and peristomial cirri become enlarged.
iii) The anterior region is non sexual and is called atoke and a posterior
modified epitoke or sexual region which contains ova and sperms.
iv) Animal swarms about actively on the surface of sea during night.
v) Due to excessive development of gonads the muscles and alimenentary
canals are reduced.
vi) Male and female animals spawn and die.
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Annelida: Observation and
Classification of Specimens
Fig. 5.4: Heteronereis phase.
5.4.2 Aphrodite
Special Characters
Examine the given preserved specimen of Aphrodite from all sides and
compare it with Fig.5.5. Note the following characters:
i) Body is about 12 cm long, oval, broad, dorsally arched and ventrally flat.
ii) Flat ventral surface has segments, used for creeping.
iii) Locomotion by modified parapodia, bristles and chaetae.
(a) (b)
Fig. 5.5: Aphrodite;; a) Preserved specimen. b) Ventral side.
iv) The dorsal side is covered by long, thin, thread-like
thread iridescent bristles,
which gives a feeling of hair (hence the name given sea mouse).
v) Head remains hidden and is well developed. 61
Animal Diversity: vi) In defense, animal stiffens the stiff chaetae, resembling a small
Laboratory
porcupine.
vii) Alive, it is a beautiful animal which changes colour from gold to peacock
blue. [The animals you see in the specimen jars are preserved in
formalin which decolourises the animal].
Habit and Habitat
Aphrodite lives at the bottom of deep sea buried in the sand.
Geographical Distribution: Aphrodite is found in U.S.A.
Classification and its Justification
Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells
that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement
or movement of some of their body parts or
capable of movement at some time of their life
cycle; heterotrophic nutrition
Phylum Annelida Triploblastic, vermiform, coelomate,
metamerically segmented; appendages unjointed.
Class Polychaeta Setae numerous; clitellum absent
Genus Aphrodite
Common Sea mouse
Name
5.4.3 Pheretima
Special Characters
Observe the given specimen and note the following features:
i) Body is long, narrow and cylindrical measuring up to 150 mm in length;
brown in [Link] is no head as such, and there are no special
sensory structures projecting out from anterior region the way it does in
Nereis. The body has 100 to 120 segments.
ii) In all adult earthworms clitellum (an area without outward segmentation)
can be seen covering segments 14, 15 and 16.
iii) Hence, the body of earthworm is divided into preclitellar, clitellar and post-
clitellar regions (Fig.5.6).
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Annelida: Observation and
Classification of Specimens
Fig. 5.6: Earthworm: a) Dorsal view, b) Ventral view, c) Anterior end.
iv) Each segment except the first and the last, bears small, chitinous setae
which help in crawling.
v) Middle segments have small, microscopic openings called
nephridiopores. Excretory material is thrown out of the body through
these pores.
vi) These animals are hermaphrodites. Female genital pore opens on the
ventral surface of the clitellum on segment 14th and the male genital pores
open on either side of ventral surface of 18th segment.
Habit and Habitat
Earthworms are nocturnal, live in moist soil that is rich in organic material.
They are burrowing and make their burrow partly by boring with their anterior
end and partly by swallowing the soft mud. They retain nutrients from this mud
and remaining mud is thrown out through anus and can be seen as little mud
piles on the openings of their burrows. During rainy season when their
burrows are flooded they leave the burrows and can be seen crawling in the
day time also. Though earthworms are hermaphrodite they always have cross-
fertilisation. Copulation takes place at night, after mating earthworms separate
and gelatinous, frothy, sticky substance is secreted from clitellum which
hardens gradually and becomes a cocoon. The animal slowly wriggles out of it
leaving sperms and ova into this box or cocoon.
Geographical Distribution: Widely distributed all over the world.
Economic Importance
a) Earthworms are beneficial in agriculture. A land rich with worms is rich
in nutrition, because of the earthworms’ ability to feed on decaying
organic matter and passing out useful organic matter in their excreta.
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Animal Diversity: b) Earthworms make burrows, which makes the soil porous and permits
Laboratory
more penetration of air and moisture.
c) They are used as baits to catch fish.
d) They are used in laboratories for research and teaching.
Classification and its Justification
Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells
that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement
or movement of some of their body parts or
capable of movement at some time of their life
cycle; heterotrophic nutrition.
Phylum Annelida Triploblastic; vermiform, coelomate;
metamerically segmented; appendages
unjointed.
Class Oligochaeta Parapodia absent; clitellum usually present;
pharynx not eversible and without jaw segment.
Genus Pheretima
Species posthuma
Common Earthworm
Name
5.4.4. Hirudinaria
Special Characters
Examine the given specimen and note the following features:
i) Hirudinaria has soft, vermiform dorso-ventrally compressed body.
ii) Has two suckers, anterior and posterior (Fig.5.7). Anterior sucker has
jaws. The salivary gland produces anticoagulating saliva. Its pharynx is
suctorial. Posterior sucker along with anterior sucker is used for
locomotion.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 5.7: Hirudinaria granulosa. External features. a) Dorsal view. b) Ventral
64 view.
iii) The body has 33 segments. Annelida: Observation and
Classification of Specimens
iv) The alimentary canal has crop chambers and lateral caecae to store and
digest the food in the form of blood.
v) Respiration is through skin. Excretion is by nephridia.
vi) Though hermaphrodite but cross-fertilisation occurs. Leeches develop
clitellum only for breeding. The male genital aperture is located in the
10th segment and female genital aperture is found in the 11th segment.
Habit and Habitat
Found in ponds, lakes, tanks, swamps, streams, paddy fields. It is an
ectoparasite and feeds on blood (sanguivorous) of fish, frog, cattle and
humans who enter the water where leeches are found. Leeches make a
painless incision on the skin and then suck blood (Fig. 5.8).
Fig. 5.8: Terrestrial leech feeding on human hand.
After having exchanged the spermatozoa in the breeding season in March-
April (in water or land) the leeches separate and each one forms a clitellum on
segments 9, 10 and 11, this secretes frothy substance and forms a cocoon
leaving sperms and ova in it. The leech wriggles out of the cocoon. Polar
plugs close the two ends of the cocoon.
A cocoon is about 25 to 30 mm long and 12-15 mm wide and 1 to 24 young
leeches can develop in a cocoon.
Geographical Distribution: Widely distributed. This particular species is
found in India, Bangla Desh, Pakistan, Myanmar
and Sri Lanka.
Economic Importance
a) Used as food for fish, ducks and turtles.
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Animal Diversity: b) Bloodsucker of vertebrates.
Laboratory
c) Acts as vector for certain diseases.
d) In tribal societies leeches are used to suck out "bad blood".
e) Chemical nature of their saliva led to the invention of heparin, a chemical
used in medicines as anticoagulant.
Classification and its Justification
Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells
that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or
movement of some of their body parts or capable of
movement at some time of their life cycle;
heterotrophic nutrition.
Phylum Annelida Triploblastic, vermiform, coelomate;
metamerically segmented; appendages
unjointed.
Class Hirudinea Body having definite number of segments;
parapodia and setae are absent; presence of
anterior and posterior suckers.
Genus Hirudinaria
Species granulosa
Common Leech
Name
5.5 TERMINAL QUESTIONS
1. On what basis are the annelids placed in different classes?
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2. What is clitellum? What purpose does it serve?
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3. Differentiate between Neries and Heteroneries.
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