ANNELIDS

CLASSIFICATION:

• Kingdom: animalia.
• Phylum: annelida.
• Class: clitellata.
• Order: arhynchobdellida.
• Family: hirudidae.

CHARACTERISTICS:

• bilateral symmetry.
• multiple segments.
• bristles down the body that are used for movement.
• the organ of the digestive, nervous, & circulatory systems penetrate the septa.
• the digestive tract is divided into several well developed organs.

WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?

• in fresh water, soil, salty water, & in moist environment.

REPRODUCTION

• asexual & sexual.

EAT/RANGE?

• They eat sediments from soil, plankton, & small invertebrates.

ROLE

• Reworking of soil & sediment.

FACTS!

• Use their jaws to grab their food.
• Swallow whole.
• There are over 22,000 species of earthworms, rag-worms, & leeches.
• Adult earthworms range from less than 1/2 inch long to 22 ft in length.

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