The Anatomy of an Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)
A Virtual Dissection by Andrew Toy
Picture from http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/images/phylum_annelida.htm
"The plow is one of the most ancient and most valuable of man's inventions; but long before he existed, the land was in fact regularly plowed and still continues to be thus plowed by earthworms. It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organized creatures." -Charles Darwin (1881)
This site is designed to aide you in your dissection and examination of the earthworm. In addition to this site, you should refer to the song "Worms Make Dirt" by the Aquabats (an otherwise un-noteworthy band) for some insight on this fascinating creature.
The earthworm, although relatively simple in structure, is one of the most beneficial organisms in that they decompose leaves and dead animals that would otherwise lay on the ground indefinitely. Their body structure is ideal for their task thanks to their coelom structure and effective digestive system. The complete classification of a common earthworm is as follows:
Kingdom: Animalia ___ Phylum: Annelida ___ Class: Oligochaeta ___ Order: Opisthopora ___ Family: Lumbricidae ___ Genus: Lumbricus ___ Species: Terrestris (Musurca)
Virtual Dissection
(maps link to 30 different parts of the earthworm's anatomy!)
Separate the anterior end of the specimen.
Cut the specimen in half and view cross
section.
The Systems
The Digestive/Excretory System
Click here to see Mr. Vavala's Biology Site.(defunct)
Click here to see the author's website.(defunct)
Click here to view bibliography.
people visited this site since 5/30/2000.
This site has been 
Vavala approved.
