SYSTEMATIC ZOOLOGY
COURSE MODULE COURSE UNIT WEEK
8 9 9
Phylum Annelida
Read course and unit objectives
Read study guide prior to class attendance
Read required learning resources and watch the videos; refer to unit terminologies for
jargons
Proactively participate in classroom discussions
Participate in weekly discussion board (Canvas)
Answer and submit course unit tasks
At the end of this unit, the students are expected to:
1. Investigate the external and internal characteristics of annelids.
2. Describe the reproduction, adaptation and ecology of annelids.
Annelids are triploblastic, bilaterally symmetrical, metamerically segmented, a coelomate
worm with a thin, flexible cuticle around the body. They are mostly aquatic; freshwater or marine,
some are terrestrial. Annelida are divided into four main classes, Class Polychaeta, Class
Oligochaeta, Class Hirudinea and Class Archiannelida.
Virtual Dissection of the Earthworm
Materials
2 live earthworms in a storage container piece of cardboard
Desk lamp medicine dropper
Tray paper towels
Procedure
1. Collect a live earthworms in your garden, front yard or backyard. If you can’t find an earthworm
in your area watch a video about “Earthworm Dissection” Biologybyme in YOU TUBE.
2. Fold a dry paper towel and place it on one side of your tray. Fold a dampened paper towel and
place it on the other side of the tray.
3. Place the earthworms in the center of the tray, Record your observations of their physical
characteristics. Fill the medicine dropper with water and use it to give your earthworms a “
bath”. Note: Make sure you keep your earthworms moist by giving them frequent baths. If an
earthworm’s skin dries out, it dies.
4. Then, move the earthworm between the dry paper towel and the moist paper towel. Cover the
tray with the piece of cardboard.
5. After 5 minutes, remove the cardboard and observe the location of the earthworms. Record
your observations.
6. Return the earthworms to their storage container. Using the dropper, moisten the earthworms
with water.
7. Cover the entire bottom of the tray with a damp paper towel.
8. Place the earthworms in the center of the tray.
9. Cover one half of the tray with the piece of cardboard. Position the lamp above the open side of
the tray.
10. After 5 minutes, observe the location of the earthworms. Record your observations.
11. Return the earthworms to their storage container. Using the dropper, moisten the earthworms
with water. Cover the container.
Clitellum- secretes a mucus that assists in the transfer of sperm between individuals and
produces albumen, which serves as a food resource for embryos as they develop within the
cocoon.
Parapodia- a series of thin, flattened outgrowths of polychaetes.
Setae- chitinous bristles.
Study Questions
1. Which kind of surface did the earthworms prefer-moist or dry? Explain.
2. Do earthworms prefer light or darkness? Justify your answer.
3. Describe the earthworms’ color, texture, external features and other physical characteristics.
4. How does an earthworm’s response to moisture help it survive?
5. Does an earthworm’s response to light have any protective value? Explain.
6. How is an earthworm’s body adapted for movement into and through soil?
7. Would you expect to find earthworms in hard soil? Explain.
Pechenik, Jan A. (2000). Biology of the Invertebrates, 4th Edition McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
pp.277-294.
Wikipedia. [Link]
Kotpal RL.2017. Modern Textbook of Zoology-Invertebrates.11th Edition. Rastogi Publications.
