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# Earthworms and Other Annelids ## Types of Annelids **Class Oligochaeta (Earthworms)** * **Characteristics:** Reduced number or absence of bristles (chaetae). Segmentation is prominent. Hermaphrodites (have both male and female reproductive organs). Reproduction involves exchanging sperm and fo...

# Earthworms and Other Annelids ## Types of Annelids **Class Oligochaeta (Earthworms)** * **Characteristics:** Reduced number or absence of bristles (chaetae). Segmentation is prominent. Hermaphrodites (have both male and female reproductive organs). Reproduction involves exchanging sperm and forming cocoons for eggs. When cocoons are mature, the worms release them. * **Habitat:** Found in various soil types, usually in damp environments. Many species live in burrows, and some are aquatic. * **Diet:** Primarily decompose organic matter in the soil like dead leaves, which improves soil structure. * **Respiration:** Obtain oxygen through their skin by absorbing moisture and gases. * **Examples:** Common earthworms, various species of earthworms. ## Class Polychaeta * **Characteristics** Many bristles (chaetae). Most species are marine, and they are segmented worms. Hermaphroditic. * **Habitat:** Primarily marine habitats, especially in the coastal areas of oceans. **Tube Worms/Spoonworms** * **Characteristics:** A group of polychaetes. These worms live in tubes or burrows, which are formed of secreted material that hardens. The head of the worm is located outside of the tube. They have feathery tentacles, used in filter feeding * **Habitat** Primarily marine. * **Diet/Feeding**: Filter feeders, consuming plankton or other small particles. * **Description:** The body is 20-30cm long and varies in color. The head gets progressively thinner towards the tail end. The head is characterized by a funnel-like structure or a mouth. **Leeches** * **Characteristics:** Typically flat or oval body shape. Suckers at both ends of their body. They are hermaphrodites, and they have a segmented body. **Other Annelids** * **Forest Worms:** Description of the worm is given. * **Descriptions of other types of Annelids** include the features and characteristics of the tubeworms and the spoon worms, which explains how their bodies are structured and the places where they live.