Question

Identify the animal given in the picture and write features of its phylum/class.

Answer 1

The given animal is Tomopteris. It belongs to the phylum Annelida.

For features of Annelida,

1. Animals belonging to the phylum Annelida are worms with annuli or rings.
2. They are bilaterally symmetrical true coelomates showing metamerically segmented soft, elongated and cylindrical body.
3. Digestive system is complete with a mouth and anus at opposite ends of the body.
4. Locomotory organs are setae, parapodia, or suckers. They have well-developed layers of circular and longitudinal muscles which help in the movement of the body.
5. Excretory organs are nephridia which is a characteristic feature of annelids.
6. Respiration takes place through the body surface. Circulatory system is of a closed type. Haemoglobin is dissolved in plasma.
7. The nervous system is in the form of nerve rings and ganglionated nerve cords.
8. The reproductive system well developed. Animals are mostly hermaphrodites. Few are unisexual.
9. Leech (a sanguivorous annelid), Nereis, earthworm, Aphrodite, etc. are examples of Annelida.