The Three

Major Groups
of Worms
Bio 11 online, Lucia
Plunkett
Introduction
Worms are the most creepy crawly animals on earth. Some do lots to benefit other
species such as earthworms, other only benefit themselves such as pinworms.

This presentation will highlight the differences and similarities between the three
major groups of worms : flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms.
Body Symmetry Characteristics
(Body
Flatworms havePlan)
a sac which means they have one opening that functions as both a
mouth and an anus.

Roundworms have a more advanced tube-within-a-tube body plan. Which means

they have specialized digestive organs and a separate mouth and anus.

Segmented worms are true coelomates!

All three types of worms exhibit bilateral symmetry.

Environment
All three types of worms prefer damp or moist environments.
Depending on the species they can live in water, soil, and in
animal or even human bodies.
Nervous System
Flatworms have two lateral nerve cords that are connected by transverse nerves
this type of nervous system is called a nerve ladder. Flatworms also exhibit
cephalization.

Roundworms have a more advanced nervous system composed of circum-

pharyngeal nerve rings and longitudinal nerves throughout the body. They have
several ganglia nerve cells in their heads.

Segmented worms have a primitive brain in the head and a ventral nerve cord that
is connected by nerve rings. Each segment has lateral nerves and ganglia.
Circulatory System
Flatworms have no true circulatory system. Instead nutrients and gases are
diffused across cell layers in the gastrovascular cavity.

Roundworms also have no true circulatory system

Segmented worms have a more developed circulatory system, blood is pumped by

branches through the ventral blood vessel then through the dorsal blood vessel.
Segmented worms also have five psuadohearts.
Skeletal System
None of these three major types of worms have skeletal
systems!
Digestive System
Flatworms have a digestive tract that is similar to that of cnidarians. A single opening
for bothe the mouth and anus. Food is digested in the gastrovascular cavity.

Roundworms have a complete digestive tract which means they have a separate
mouth and anus.

Segmented worms also have a more complex digestive tract, including a gizzard
which breaks down the food.
Movement
Flatworms lavra have cilia that help them glide and adults use muscle contraction.

Roundworms use a lateral thrashing movements to move around.

Segmented worms use muscle contraction to move.

Respiratory System
All three types of worms have no true respiratory system, but
they use diffusion to exchange gasses.
Excretory System
Flatworms use specialized cells (flame cells) for excretion. These special cells have
beating cilia which keeps water moving through the excretory canals.

Roundworms have excretory pores that help remove the collected waste

Segmented worms also have excretory pores. Before the waste exits the body it is
filtered by nepheridia.
Feeding
Flatworms are carnivorous scavengers. They can also be parasitic. Parasitic
flatworms have hooks and suckers which help them feed.

Roundworms are often carnivorous, feeding mostly on decaying organic matter.

Roundworms can also be parasitic.

Segmented worms feed mostly on decaying plants however it depends on the

species. They can also be parasitic.
Life Cycle

Segmented worms
Life cycle
Reproduction Methods
Flatworms are hermaphrodites (both male and female) but they undergo cross-
fertilization between organisms. Flatworms align themselves in order to
simultaneously fertilize each other. They can also reproduce asexually.

Roundworms are mostly dioecous (have separate sexes). During copulation sperm is
released into the vagina resulting in internal fertilization. The shell glands then
secrete a protective shell to cover the egg.

Segmented worms can reproduce sexually or asexually, depending on the species.

Some are dioecous while others are hermaphrodites.
Fun Facts
A female Ascaris lumbricoides may lay her eggs at a rate of 200,000 per day!

Leeches, a type of segmented worms, are used in medicine to improve circulation to

amputated digits.

Tapewormes, a type of roundworm, can fertilize their own eggs!

For example - Spirobranchus
giganteus
Spirobranchus giganteus commonly know as the Christmas tree worm are a type of
marine segmented worm. They are most commonly found in tropical oceans
especially those of the Caribbean and the Indo-Pacific. Christmas tree worms are
characterised by their bright coloring which make them desirable subjects for
underwater photography.
Bibliography
1. Annelidia - Annelids - Segmented Worms Annellus - "little ring". (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from
http://www.coolgalapagos.com/animals/annelida_segmented_worms.php

2. Nematode. (2017, March 12). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematode

3. L., E., E., E., E., E., . . . E. (n.d.). Segmented Worms. Retrieved March 16, 2017, from
http://science.jrank.org/pages/6062/Segmented-Worms.html

4. Segmented Worms - Annelida - Details. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from
http://eol.org/pages/36/details

5. Smyth, J. D. (2008, November 26). Flatworm. Retrieved March 16, 2017, from
https://www.britannica.com/animal/flatworm

6. Spirobranchus giganteus. (2017, March 11). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirobranchus_giganteus