🌱Segmented worms of clade Clitellata have a reproductive structure called the clitellum
♻️Earthworms play a vital role in soil health and nutrient cycling
🐛Earthworms exhibit a tube-within-a-tube body plan and use peristaltic movement to travel
🔄Earthworms improve soil aeration and bring decaying material closer to tree roots
🩸Leeches have specialized jaws and suckers for blood feeding
What is unique about segmented worms of clade Clitellata?
—Segmented worms of clade Clitellata have a reproductive structure called the clitellum, which is a ring of mucus-secreting cells in the epidermis.
What role do earthworms play in soil health?
—Earthworms enhance soil health by improving aeration, nutrient cycling, and the decomposition of organic matter.
How do earthworms move?
—Earthworms use peristaltic movement, where muscles contract to make segments short or wide, allowing them to burrow and travel through the soil.
What is the ecological significance of earthworms?
—Earthworms improve soil fertility, aerate the soil, and enhance nutrient availability for plants. They also contribute to the decomposition process and increase water infiltration.
What are the feeding habits of leeches?
—Leeches are blood feeders and use specialized jaws and suckers to attach to their hosts and extract blood. Some leeches are also predatory, feeding on small animals.
00:06This tutorial covers the terrestrial and freshwater segmented worms
00:43Segmented worms of clade Clitellata have a unique reproductive structure called the clitellum
03:37Earthworms play a vital role in soil health and nutrient cycling
10:42Leeches have specialized jaws and suckers for blood feeding
13:27The tutorial concludes with an overview of class Hirudinea, the leeches
