Worm | Segmented, Annelid, Invertebrate (2024)

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worm, any of various unrelated invertebrate animals that typically have soft, slender, elongated bodies. Worms usually lack appendages; polychaete annelids are a conspicuous exception. Worms are members of several invertebrate phyla, including Platyhelminthes (flatworms), Annelida (segmented worms), Nemertea (ribbon worms), Nematoda (roundworms, pinworms, etc.), Sipuncula (peanutworms), Echiura (spoonworms), Acanthocephala (spiny-headed worms), Pogonophora (beardworms), and Chaetognatha (arrowworms).

The term is also loosely applied to centipedes and millipedes; to larval (immature) forms of other invertebrates, particularly those of certain insects; and to some vertebrates—e.g., the blindworm (Anguis fragilis), a limbless, snakelike lizard. At one time all phyla of wormlike animals were classed as Vermes, a term no longer in common use.

Worm | Segmented, Annelid, Invertebrate (1)

Britannica Quiz

Animal Group Names

The major groups of worms include various species of flatworm, annelid, ribbon worm, spiny-headed worm, and aschelminth (qq.v.). Worms typically have an elongated, tubelike body, usually rather cylindrical, flattened, or leaflike in shape and often without appendages. They vary in size from less than 1 mm (0.04 inch) in certain nematodes to more than 30 m (100 feet) in certain ribbon worms (phylum Nemertea).

Worms are universal in distribution, occurring in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats. Some types of worms are parasitic, others are free-living. From a human perspective, worms are important as soil conditioners (e.g., annelids, aschelminths) and as parasites of people and domestic animals (e.g., platyhelminths, aschelminths) and of crops (e.g., aschelminths). Ecologically, worms form an important link in the food chains in virtually all ecosystems of the world.

This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.

Worm | Segmented, Annelid, Invertebrate (2024)

FAQs

Worm | Segmented, Annelid, Invertebrate? ›

Segmented worms (phylum Annelida) are the most complex animals with worm-like body plans. A study of worms can illuminate a possible history of how some organ systems and body features evolved. Worms are invertebrate animals with bilateral symmetry. Worms have a definite anterior (head) end and a posterior (tail) end.

What are 5 examples of worms invertebrates? ›

Worms are members of several invertebrate phyla, including Platyhelminthes (flatworms), Annelida (segmented worms), Nemertea (ribbon worms), Nematoda (roundworms, pinworms, etc.), Sipuncula (peanutworms), Echiura (spoonworms), Acanthocephala (spiny-headed worms), Pogonophora (beardworms), and Chaetognatha (arrowworms).

What are 6 examples of Annelida? ›

Annelids are known commonly as segmented (ringed) worms. Some common names for more well-known annelids include earthworms, sandworms, ragworms, bristle worms, and leeches. Annelid classes include Oligochaeta, Hirudinea, Polychaeta, and Archiannelida.

Are annelids invertebrates? ›

The Annelids are a Phylum of invertebrates. Annelids are soft-bodied organisms and have bodies that are comprised of numerous segments - this gives them their alternative name of ringed worms. There are more than 10,000 species of annelid. Earthworms, ragworms and leeches are some of the most well known annelids.

What are the 4 types of worms? ›

Worms are arranged in four major groupings, or phyla: Flatworms (Platyhelminthes), Ribbon worms (Nemertea), Roundworms (Nematoda), and Segmented worms (Annelida). The common earthworm is an annelid.

What are the 8 main groups of invertebrates? ›

The most familiar invertebrates include the Protozoa, Porifera, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Echinodermata, Mollusca and Arthropoda. Arthropoda include insects, crustaceans and arachnids.

Do all annelids have 5 hearts? ›

It's a closed circulatory system in which blood moves through a closed network of vessels. Some annelids, such as polychaete worms, have no heart, while others have multiple hearts. The earthworm, which is perhaps the most popular of all the annelids, has five heart-like structures called aortic arches.

What is considered an annelid? ›

annelid, any member of a phylum of invertebrate animals that are characterized by the possession of a body cavity (or coelom), movable bristles (or setae), and a body divided into segments by transverse rings, or annulations, from which they take their name.

What is an example of Annelida and arthropods? ›

Hint: Annelids are the animals that are referred to as segmented worms, while arthropods are referred to as animals with jointed legs. An example of annelids is the earthworm and an example of arthropods is the Housefly. The organisms show the presence of Annulus (rings or segments) all over the body.

Do annelids lay eggs? ›

Do worms lay eggs or give birth? Most worms that belong to the phylum Annelida lay eggs. Some species of these worms do give birth to live young.

What does Annelida eat? ›

Annelids are heterotrophic. They are metamerically segmented invertebrates. They have a well developed complete digestive system. They feed on soil, small invertebrates or dead and decaying organic matter.

Why are annelids so important? ›

Burrowing annelids, like the earthworm, play an important role in helping organic matter decompose. Earthworms eat dead plants and animals. When they eat, they also take in soil and tiny pebbles. Earthworms take in nutrients from microorganisms in the material they ingest.

How do annelids interact with humans? ›

The burrowing of marine polychaetes, which may constitute up to a third of all species in near-shore environments, encourages the development of ecosystems by enabling water and oxygen to penetrate the sea floor. In addition to improving soil fertility, annelids serve humans as food and as bait.

Is a worm a bug? ›

Worms and slugs are not insects. Insects have six legs, two antennae, and an exoskeleton. Worms and slugs have soft bodies, do not have arms or legs, and move by crawling. Worms crawl by stretching and contracting the strong muscles in their bodies.

What are invertebrates 5 examples? ›

An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone. In fact, invertebrates don't have any any bones at all! Invertebrates that you may be familiar with include spiders, worms, snails, lobsters, crabs and insects like butterflies.

What are the five most common types of worms? ›

There are several types of worms that can cause problems in children, including threadworm, roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm and hookworm.

Are worms invertebrates? ›

Worms are invertebrate animals with bilateral symmetry. Worms have a definite anterior (head) end and a posterior (tail) end. The ventral surface of worms and other organisms is the bottom side of the body, often closest to the ground.

Are 4 out of 5 animals worms? ›

Huge numbers of species and well-nigh uncountable numbers of individuals, that's how many. By some reckonings, four out of every five multicellular animals on the planet are nematodes (that's individuals, not species). The more-than-30,000 known species may jump to a million by the time the taxonomic dust settles.

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