Earthworm Reproduction

1. Earthworm Reproduction

2. A Little About Earthworms Hermaphrodite s : have both male and female reproductive organs Protandrous : the male sex cells mature much earlier than the female sex cells Cannot partake in parthenogenesis, or self- fertilization R equire a mate of the same species to reproduce Possess a clitellum, or body wall, as adults

3. The Basics & Importance of T his System There are two main processes in the reproductive system: 1. Copulation : the joining of the two earthworms 2. Cocoon Formation : where the eggs are deposited The reproductive system is necessary for earthworms to create new offspring, and could not do this without this system

4. Anatomical Parts of the Reproductive System Male reproductive organs: - T estes = short, white , lobed structures made up of projections coming up from a compact narrow base, contain spermatogonia - Testis Sacs = thin-walled, wide, bi-lobed and fluid- filled - Spermiducal /spermatic funnels = two pairs of ciliated sperm funnels lying behind each testis, enclosed w/in the same testis sac - Seminal Vesicles = large , white & sac- like, formed as outgrowths of the septa - Vasa Deferentia = slender, internally ciliated sperm duct, where spermiducal funnel leads to - Prostate Glands = pair of large, white, flat, irregular and solid glandular masses lying one on either side of the gut, consists of a large glandular part and a small non-glandular part, get rid of prostatic fluid - Accessory Glands = rounded, white fluffy masses, which open to the exterior by a number of ducts on two pairs of genital papillae, helps in uniting the two worms during copulation

5. Anatomical Parts of the Reproductive System Cont. Female r eproductive organs: - Ovaries = white compact mass made up of several finger-like processes, processes contain ova in various stages of development arranged in a linear series - Oviducal Funnels = large saucer- shaped, lies below each ovary, has folded and ciliated margin, which leads into a short oviduct - Oviducts =two short conical ciliated tubes, run posteriorly and meet below the nerve cord forming a very short common oviduct - Spermathecae = has a body known as the ampulla, ampulla continues into a short narrow neck, which gives off a diverticulum/caecum, diverticulum stores sperm received from another worm during copulation- ampullae provide nourishment to the stored sperm

6. The Reproductive Process Step 1: Copulation -Occurs at night or early morning during the rainy season -Lasts for about an hour -Anterior ends point in opposite directions -Male genital apertures are raised into papillae and are inserted into the pairs of spermathecal pores -Spermatozoa & prostatic fluid are stored in spermathecae -After completion of this process, the worms separate

7. The Reproductive Process cont. Step 2: Cocoon Formation -Starts when ovaries mature - C ocoon -secreting glands of clitellar segments release a viscid orgelatinous substance that forms a membranous band around clitellum -Band hardens into a strong yet elastic tube, which becomes cocoon, or egg capsule - A lbumen glands produce albumen- eggs are deposited in cocoon - W orm withdraws itself backwards from band & cocoon slips forward towards anterior end -Cocoon receives ova & sperm -As cocoon is thrown off from the anterior end of the worm, both ends close up -Cocoons are oval/spherical & are typically light yellow

8. Bibliography " Ecology - Reproduction." WormWatch - Ecology . Nature Canada , n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013 . Ramel , Gordon. "Earthworms." Earthworms (The Oligochaeta ) . N.p ., n.d . Web. 21 Apr. 2013 . Shirish. "Reproductive System of Earthworms .” Science , Technology & Literature . N.p ., 14 Sept. 2010. Web . 21 Apr. 2013.