Overview
Phylum Annelida - Segmented worms
The annelids are a large phylum, comprising the segmented worms, with about 15,000 species including earthworms and leeches. They are found in most wet environments, and include many terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species. They range in length from under a millimetre to over 3 metres
Some annelids reproduce asexually by fission (splitting off) and is used to reproduce quickly. The posterior part of the body breaks off and forms a new identical worm. Many other taxa (such as most earthworms) cannot reproduce this way, although they have varying abilities to re-grow amputated segments. Some worms reproduce sexually and they have separate male and female individuals and they mate to produce young. Other worms are hermaphrodites eg earthworms and leeches, ( they have both male and female sex organs) and two worms which are attracted by each other's secretions lay their bodies together with their heads pointing in opposite directions. The fluid is transferred from the male pore to the other worm.
Te Papa holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of earthworms in the country (about 5000 specimen lots), including the K E Lee collection and most of the relevant type material. The collection also includes about 15,000 specimens of marine worms.