Planarian(Flat Worm)

About the worm Locomotion is by cilia Range in size from 3-

12mm Has 2 small eye-spots Eye-spots are used to

move away from light Have 3 layers of tissue

Free living Carnivorous

What it Eats Feeds on other living

organisms Dead organisms Like diatoms Decaying organic

matter

Reproduction Asexual reproduction Budding or fission

Reproduction (cont’d) Can reproduce either asexually or sexually.

In asexual reproduction the planarian detaches its tail end and each half regrows the lost parts.

In sexual reproduction each Planaria gives and receives sperm.

Planaria have both testes and ovaries. Eggs develop inside the body and are shed in

capsules. Weeks later the eggs hatch and grow into adults.

Planarians can also reproduce by regeneration. If it is cut into two halves, both halves may become two

new Planaria (regeneration).

Where can you find them? Beneath rocks, logs,

dead leaves in springs, wetlands, streams, lakes

Found in cold water Common to many

parts of the world Also commonly found

residing on plants

Interesting Facts Planaria (family

Planariidae) are common freshwater, non-parasitic flatworms of the phylum Platyhelminthes, class Turbellaria.

The term "planaria" is most often used as a common name It is also the name of a

genus within the family Planariidae

Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Eumetazoa Superphylum: Platyzoa Phylum: Platyhelminthes Class: Turbellaria Order: Seriata Suborder: Tricladida Family: Planariidae

More Cool Facts At the head there is a brain under the

eyespots From the brain there are two nerve cords

which connect at the tail There are many transverse nerves

connected to the nerve cords which make it look like a ladder

The excretory system is made of many tubes with many flame cells and excretory pores on them