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THESIS APPROVAL

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Figure 4 Budding in oligochaete showing segmental derivatives in daughter zooids.<br />

dt: digestive tract; m: mouth; pr: prostomium.<br />

Source: Smith (2001)<br />

cells involved with different aspects of copulation. For copulation, worms line up<br />

with ventral portions of body touching heads going in opposite directions. Large<br />

quantities of mucous are secreted to keep worms together. The seminal groove is<br />

used to transfer sperms to the spermathecae of the opposing worm. Some species<br />

have penes to help in sperm transfer. The copulation takes a period of time, then<br />

worms separate and the clitellum of each worm secretes a cocoon containing fertilized<br />

eggs. The cocoon is laid on rocks, vegetation or debris (Figure 5) after secretion and<br />

the embryos will develop to juveniles inside it. Once development is completed,<br />

young worms hatch and then exit the cocoon (Smith, 2001).<br />

Figure 5 Cocoon of Stylaria deposited on a bit of debris.<br />

Source: Pennak (1989)<br />

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