Earthworm Dissection Lab:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Annelida Procedure:
Ecology of the Annelida: Annelids are segmented worms. The well developed coelom (fluid filled body cavity) acts as a hydrostatic skeleton with muscles of the body walls acting on it. The most ecological role the annelid as play in the environment is their reworking of soil and sediments. They are constantly burrowing away at the soil and they may digest and excrete large amounts of soil or sediments.
Groups of Annelida: The annelids have three different groups: the oligochaetes, the the leeches, and the polychaetes. Oligochaetes are annelids that typically have streamlined bodies and relatively few setae compared to polychaetes. Setae is a stiff hairlike or bristlelike structure. Most oligochaetes live in soil or freshwater. Leeches are typically external parasites that suck the blood and body fluids from the host. Polychaetes are marine annelids that have paired, paddlelike appendages tipped with setae. |