What is Clitellata scientific name?
Clitellata
Clitellata/Scientific names
What is a leech classification?
Leech/Class
Leeches are segmented worms in the Subclass Hirudinea that are usually ectoparasitic. They belong to the Class Clitellata (along with earthworms, Subclass Oligochaeta) because of the presence of a clitellum, which is a swelling towards the head of the animal, where the gonads are located.
How are members of Clitellata distinguished from other annelids?
Clitellate annelids are distinguished from other worms by their characteristic reproductive structure, the clitellum, whose function is to secrete an egg capsule, or cocoon. The clitellum appears as a thickened sleeve or saddle a few segments in length within the anterior third region of the worm.
What are the characteristics of Clitellata?
The Clitellata are a class of annelid worms, characterized by having a clitellum – the ‘collar’ that forms a reproductive cocoon during part of their life cycles. The clitellates comprise around 8,000 species. Unlike the class of Polychaeta, they do not have parapodia and their heads are less developed.
What is annelida group?
The annelids /ˈænəlɪdz/ (Annelida /əˈnɛlɪdə/, from Latin anellus, “little ring”), also known as the ringed worms or segmented worms, are a large phylum, with over 22,000 extant species including ragworms, earthworms, and leeches. The basic annelid form consists of multiple segments.
What are the 3 classes of annelids?
Most authors accept the annelids as having three major classes: Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, and Hirudinea. Older systems would place the polychaetes and oligochaetes under the class Chaetopoda because both groups possess setae.
What makes annelids unique?
Annelids exhibit bilateral symmetry and are invertebrate organisms. They are coelomate and triploblastic. The body is segmented which is the most distinguishing feature of annelids.
What is the difference between polychaetes and oligochaetes?
Polychaetes refer to the marine annelids, with unsegmented swimming appendages with many chaetes. Meanwhile, oligochaetes refer to the hermaphroditic terrestrial or aquatic annelids that lack a specialized head.
Is the word Clitellata in the Merriam Webster Dictionary?
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Where is the clitellum located on a clitellate annelid?
Unlike the class of Polychaeta, they do not have parapodia and their heads are less developed. Clitellate annelids are segmented worms characterised by the clitellum or girdle which is located near the head end of mature individuals.
What kind of habitat does a clitellate live in?
Clitellates live on land, in freshwater or in the ocean. The subclass Hirudinea (leeches) contains three orders with various habitat preferences. Branchiobdellida are commensal with freshwater crayfish, grazing algae from their exoskeletons.
What kind of mucus does the Clitellata produce?
All clitellata are hermaphrodites. During copulation, the clitellum produces a mucus that holds worms in place whilst they mate. During reproduction, the clitellum secretes a yolk (albumen) and a proteinaceous sheath which hardens.
