1. Blackworm fACTS

2. Arthropoda ”jointed foot”
Classification
Lumbriculus variegatus
WOWBug
Blackworm
Human
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda ”jointed foot”
Annelida
“tiny rings”
Chordata- has backbone
Class
Insect
Oligochaeta-
Oligo= few
Chaeta= hairs
on each body segment
Mammalia- nurse young

3. Description Anterior = head Posterior = tail Posterior Anterior
Wider, Blunter, More Colorful End
Used for probing and foraging for food
Blood travels toward head
Narrow and Active End of worm
Responsible for gas exchange

4. Require Nutrients decaying vegetation and microorganisms
Fresh water invertebrate that feeds on
decaying vegetation and microorganisms
Cellular Respiration
Occurs in tail> forms right angle at water surface > gas exchange occurs between outside air and pulsating blood vessel

5. Reproduction Nervous System
Hermaphroditic – contain both male and female sex organs [like earthworm]
1. Sexual - Sperm exchanged > produce cocoons containing 4-11 fertilized eggs
  After 2 weeks > new worm emerges about 1 cm in length- not common
2. Asexual- regeneration - can be divided into smaller pieces and form
new worm
Nervous System
Nerve Cord_- runs entire length of body- located beneath intestines
PN, prostomial nerves; CG, cerebral ganglion; n1-n4, segmental nerves 1-4; VNC, ventral nerve cord.

6. Movement : Crawling or Corkscrewing
Muscles- 2 Layers Line Body- provide movement
- controlled by Nerve Cord
Circular - around body
Longitudinal- length of body
Together cause constricting and lengthening
followed by increasing diameter and shortening
allow worm to move in corkscrew fashion in
water, swimming short distances or
crawl through soil

7. 2. Chaetae - 2 pairs of bristles located on each segment
- used to anchor worm and increase traction
- help worm crawl
Digestion/Excretion
has complete digestive tract
including mouth and anus

8. Circulation System - consists of dorsal, ventral and lateral vessels
Contracting muscles around posterior vessel form waves “like opening and closing fist” and move blood from posterior end toward anterior end
Blood flow
Starts at posterior end “pulses” through dorsal vessel toward anterior end
Returns to tail through ventral vessel no “pulsing”
Lateral vessels supply blood to segments
Types of Circulatory Systems-
1. Closed- blood moves through body in vessels [arteries/veins]
2. Open- blood not contained in vessels, blood bathes all internal
organs
BLACKWORMS HAVE A CLOSED CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

9. Respond to Environment
Protective Response
When at surface of water, tail of worm can detect shadow [ using
photoreceptors ] or sudden vibration
Rapid Reflex- responds by quickly contracting its muscles, withdrawing tail
from predator