Annelids: Our Ecological

Friends

General Overview & Classifications

Unique Features
Ecological Role
Current Research Findings
Overall Implications

Shaun M. Barry
What Are Annelids?
Annelids are round, tube-shaped worms
whose bodies are segmented, i.e., capable
of dividing into sections to serve various
functions (such as locomotion, respiration,
ingestion, excretion, etc.)

There are nine thousand (plus) different

species (and subspecies) of annelids.
Classification
Annelids are categorized into two
classes: polychaetes (marine worms)
and oligochaetes (terrestrial worms).
Together they encompass, clam
worms, lugworms, leeches, rag
worms and, the most common, earth
worms.
Polychaetes are characterized as having
many bristles or string-like protrusions
called parapodia. These parapodia are
used for various functions, such as
locomotion, respiration, ingestion, and
excretion.

(Fig 1 -
Polychaetes)
 Oligochaetes are characterized as
having spacious body cavities with no
bristles. Their cylinder shaped bodies
are designed in manner that makes it
easy for them to form burrows in and
aerate our soils.

(Fig 2 - Oligochaetes)
Reproduction
Oligochaetes, such as earth worms are
hermaphrodites (i.e., they have both
male and female gonads, located in
their heads). Polychaetes reproduce
asexually by splitting parts of
themselvess to form new offspring; this
is calling budding (also produced in such
animals as hydras and sponges).
Ecological Role
Perhaps one the greatest values of
annelids is their ability to facilitate
agricultural means and the filtering of
our oceans. For example, annelids, such
as the earth worm and sand worm,
constantly rework our soil and
sediments.
As a result, they help to mix and till soil,
improve soil structure, aid in humus
formation and increase the availability
of plant nutrients.
Ecological Role 2
It has been estimated that the sand on
beaches harbors approximately 32,000
annelids per square meter, and that those
annelids (or sand worms) ingest and
excrete 3 metric tons of sand per year.
With respect to our soils, approximately 50
to 500 earth worms per square meter, keep
our soils aerated and fertilized. Their role
in the burrowing of our soils and sands
accomplishes what would otherwise take
many centuries.
Current Research Findings
Scientists from Yale University and
Dartmouth College have used microRNA to
determine to investigate evolutionary
relationships among annelids. Their
results showed that organisms previously
thought to belong to the annelid family
actually could not have developed from
the same branch (such as mollusk).
Current Research Findings
Biologists at the University of Oregon
have found a bristle worm, by the name
Platynereis dumerilii, to provide clues on
early cell development, namely, animal
embryogenesis – a mechanism central to
life development in all animals and
whose malfunction in humans has been
associated with the deadly forms of
cancer.
Overall Implications
The overall implications of this is that
much can learned from the study of
animals and their systems that can be
used to benefit the human condition and
our ecological system as a whole.