Reproduction and Development in Earthworm
- Earthworm is hermaphrodite, that is, male and female reproductive organs are present in the same individual.
- Earthworms do not self-fertilize because testes mature earlier than the ovaries.
Male reproductive system
- It consists of the following structures
- Seminal vesicles- These are two pairs of structures present in the 11th and 12th segments. The process of development to the maturation of spermatozoa takes place inside them.
- Spermiducal funnel- These are present in the 10th and 11th segments. These act as gateways of sperm reception and lead into vasa deferentia.
- Vasa deferentia- The vasa deferentia run from the 12th up to the 18th segment where they join the prostatic duct.
Female reproductive system
- It consists of the following structures
- Ovaries- these are a pair of white minute masses attached to the septum present between the 12th and 13th segments. These are the sites of gametogenesis.
- Oviducts and oviducal funnel- these collect eggs and pass them to outside into the cocoon through a female genital aperture.
- Spermathecae- Four pairs of spermatheca are located in the 6th-9th segments (one pair in each segment). They receive and store spermatozoa during copulation

- Ovaries- these are a pair of white minute masses attached to the septum present between the 12th and 13th segments. These are the sites of gametogenesis
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