With specific examples, compare and contrast organisms from the classes

Oligochaeta and Chilopoda

Earth is home to millions of living species, of which about 1.8 million have been
described. Every year, biologists discover thousands of new species, and the total
number of living species is estimated to be between 4 to 10 million (Solomon et al.,
2010). To study this huge diversity of organisms, a classification system is needed.
The most commonly adopted system is one developed by Carolus Linnaeus, where
species are assigned into a hierarchy of increasingly broader groups. The hierarchy of
biological classifications eight major taxonomic ranks includes Domain, Kingdom,
Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species. As we move down the hierarchy,
each group becomes more specific, and groups of organisms in each taxon share
similar characteristics. With this system, we are able to effectively compare and
contrast different groups of organisms. In this essay, we make use of the
characteristics of the different taxa to study the similarities and differences between
the classes Oligochaeta (earthworms and some freshwater aquatic worms) and
Chilopoda (centipedes).

Although Oligochaeta and Chilopoda belong to different phyla, they do share some
common characteristics. Basic similarities include having a bilateral symmetry, organ
system level of body organization, and triploblastic coelomate. Also, as with majority
of bilateral animals, both classes of organisms have a fluid-filled body cavity, the
coelom. However, one of the key similarities is the nervous system. The nervous
system of both classes of organisms consists of a brain (cerebral ganglia) and a
ventral cord with ganglia along the nerve cord. Nerves extend laterally from the
ganglia to the muscles and other structures in each of the segments. In the common
earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris and some centipedes, successive ganglia may fuse
(Solomon et al., 2010).

Another key similarity that both classes of organisms share is the segmentation of the
body. In earthworms, both the body wall and internal organs are segmented, and
transverse petitions called septa separate segments from one another internally.
However, even with this common feature, segmentation serves different function in
Oligochaeta and Chilopoda. In Lumbricus terrestris, segmentation facilitates
locomotion. Each segments has its own muscles, allowing the animal to elongate one
part of its body while shortening another part (Solomon et al., 2010). In contrast,
segmentation in centipedes provides opportunity for specialization of body regions.
Tagmatisation groups adjacent segments into larger functional units, tagmata, which
are responsible for performing specialized task. In centipedes such as the
Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, the head tagma is a fusion of six segments, followed by
the trunk tagma with a pair of legs on each segments (Hickman et al., 1982).

The two classes, Oligochaeta and Chilopoda have different key characteristics that
separate them into two different phyla, Phylum Annelida and Phylum Arthropoda
respectively. One of the key differences is the presence of chitinous exoskeleton in
centipedes, which serves as a coat of armor that protects against predator, helps
prevent excessive loss of moisture and supports underlying soft tissue. The
exoskeleton is absent in earthworms as they are soft-bodied animals, which uses the
coelom as a hydrostatic skeleton for support. Also, as the exoskeleton is non-living,
the centipedes periodically outgrow it. Hence, centipedes such as the
Scutigeromorpha (an order of Chilopoda) periodically undergo molting, where the old
exoskeleton is shed and replaced by a larger one. This process, called ecdysis is a key
characteristic of Arthropods, which does not occur in Annelids. Another key
characteristic is the presence of paired jointed appendages in Arthropods, which are
modified for many functions. Specifically, in centipedes such as Scolopocryptops
sexspinosus, these jointed appendages serve as walking legs. As centipedes have long
legs, they are able to move about rapidly. These jointed appendages are absent in
annelids such as Lumbricus terrestris, the common earthworm. Instead, locomotion is
by peristaltic contractions. The Lumbricus terrestris has few chaetae per segment,
which are chitinous setae, which help it attach to the surface and prevent backsliding
during peristaltic motion (Solomon et al., 2010).

Another vital difference between classes Oligochaeta and Chilopoda is the difference
in some of their biological systems, namely the circulatory and respiratory system. In
Oligochaeta such as Lumbricus terrestris, the circulatory system consists of two main
blood vessels that extend longitudinally. The dorsal vessel is provided with valves and
functions as a true heart. It collects blood from vessels in the segments and pumps it
anteriorly into five pairs of aortic arches. The aortic arches maintain a steady pressure
of blood into ventral vessel, which serves as the aorta. The ventral vessel then delivers
the blood to the various structures in each segment. Within these structures, blood
flows through tiny capillaries before returning to the dorsal vessel, hence forming a
closed circulatory system (Hickman et al., 2001). In contrast, Chilopoda such as
The Geophilomorpha haveanopencirculatorysystem,whichconsistsoftwo
longitudinalcentralvesselsthatareconnectedinthefirstbodysegmentbythe
maxillipedarch.Theposteriorpartofthesevesselsiscontractile,thushemolymphis
pumped anteriorly in the heart, and pumped posteriorly in the supraneural vessel
(Wirkner & Pass, 2002). From these centralvessels,numerousperipheralvessel
branchoff,andhemolymphflowsintolargespacesthatcollectivelymakeupthe
hemocoel.Theclasses Oligochaeta and Chilopoda are also different in they way they
respire. For example, Scolopocryptops sexspinosus have a highly efficient tracheal
system of air tubes. Air enters these tracheal tubes through the spiracle. Each segment
has a network of finely branched tracheal tubes, which carries air inside and allows
oxygen to diffuse directly to the body tissues. In contrast, Lumbricus terrestris have
no special respiratory organs. Gaseous exchange takes place though moist skin
(Solomon et al., 2010).

In conclusion, even though Oligochaeta and Chilopoda share many similar

characteristics, they are very different organisms as inferred from Table 2 in the
Appendix. These differences are the very reasons why these two classes belong to two
different phyla, Annelids and Arthropods. The similarities between these two groups
are due to the fact that they share a common ancestor and the differences arise due to
evolution. This thus highlights the importance of a classification system based on
evolutionary relatedness, which allows us study biodiversity more effectively.
Appendix

Table 1: Similarities between Oligochaeta and Chilopoda.

Description
Symmetry Bilateral symmetry
No of germ layers Three, triploblastic
Embryonic development Protostome
Body organization Various tissues form organs
Nervous system A brain (cerebral ganglia), ventral nerve chord with
ganglia, nerves extend laterally
Segmentation Present

Table 2: Differences between Oligochaeta and Chilopoda.

Oligochaeta Chilopoda
Appendages Absent Jointed, each segment has
a pair of legs. Uniramous
legs.
Body shape Cylindrical Dorsoventrally flattened
Antenna Absent A pair that sense taste and
touch
Skeletal Support Coelom provides hydrostatic Exoskeleton
support
Metamorphosis No Undergoes primitive
metamorphosis, where
only segments are added
as they mature
Ecdysis Does not occur Occur in Chilopoda
Feeding Herbivores; feed on soil and Carnivorous; feed on
nutritious decaying insects. Larger Chilopoda
vegetation feed on snakes, mice and
frogs
Respiration/Gaseous Cutaneous; gaseous System of internal
Exchange exchange through moist skin branching of air tubes
called tracheae and
spiracles
Locomotion By peristaltic contractions Movement by
with the aid of chaetae appendages; 1 pair of legs
on each segment.
Paddling movement of the
legs.
Living habitats Terrestrial; typically beneath Freshwater and moist
stone or wood in soil, both terrestrial habitats
in temperate and tropical
regions
Cephalisation Have a head (and elongated Lack well-developed head
trunk with segments)
Circulatory system Closed circulatory system Open circulatory system
References
Solomon, E. P.; Berg, L. R.; Martin, D. W. Biology, 9th ed.; Brooks/ Cole, Cengage
Learning: Canada, 2010.

Hickman, C. P.; Roberts, L. S.; Hickman, F. M. Biology of Animals, 3rd ed.; St. Louis:
C. V. Mosby: California, 1982.

Hickman, C. P.; Roberts, L. S.; Larson A. Integrated Principles of Zoology, 11th ed.;
McGraw-Hill: 2001

Wirkner, C. S.; Pass, G. The circulatory system in Chilopoda: functional

morphology and phylogenetic aspects. Acta Zoologica. 2002, 83, 193-202.