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Home Kingdom Animalia Phylum Annelida Subclass Oligochaeta

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2009/11/22 04:00:28.143 US/Eastern

By Phil Myers

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Annelida

Subclass: Oligochaeta

Members of this Subclass

The oligochaetes include earthworms and a group of related, mostly freshwater, species of annelids. Over 3000 species are known. Oligochaetes all bear setae, but the number of setae present is much smaller than in polychaetes (their name means "few hairs"). Oligochaetes also differ from polychaetes in that they possess permanent sex organs. Most are hermaphroditic, and development is direct, resulting in young that resemble tiny adults. Aquatic forms may have gills.

Oligochaetes feed primarily on detritus and algae. Earthworms cycle huge quantities of soil through their guts, a process that speeds the turnover of nutrients in soil and increases productivity. They also help to aerate soil. Aquatic oligochaetes are important food for fishes and larger invertebrates. A few are ectoparastic.

Sources:

• Hickman, C.P. and L. S. Roberts. 1994. Animal Diversity. Wm. C. Brown, Dubuque, IA.
• Brusca, R. C., and G. J. Brusca. Invertebrates. 1990. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.

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• BioKIDS: Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species

Contributors

Phil Myers (author), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.

2009/11/22 04:00:28.346 US/Eastern

To cite this page: Myers, P. 2001. "Oligochaeta" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 23, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Oligochaeta.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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