How does asexual reproduction take place in planaria?
Asexual freshwater planarians reproduce by tearing themselves into two pieces by a process called binary fission. The resulting head and tail pieces regenerate within about a week, forming two new worms.
How does the free-living flatworm move?
Movement in some flatworms is controlled by longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers of muscle. Others move along slime trails by the beating of epidermal cilia. The development of directional movement is correlated with cephalization.
What type of asexual reproduction is worms?
fragmentation
What are free-living marine or freshwater flatworms?
Flatworms were once divided into three groups. The mostly free-living Turbellaria include the planarian, Dugesia, shown above; these are found in the oceans, in fresh water, and in moist terrestrial habitats, and a few are parasitic.
What happens when free living flatworms are damaged?
Free-living flatworms can reproduce asexually by regeneration. This is a process in which body parts that are missing due to damage or predation can be regrown. A planarian that is cut in half horizontally can grow a new head on the tail end and a new tail on the head end, forming two new organisms.
How do flatworms infect humans?
Microscopic Schistosoma parasites infect people who are wading, swimming or bathing in freshwater inhabited by infected snails. The parasites, known as schistosomes, burrow into human skin and then grow inside blood vessels. Female worms produce eggs that can travel to the intestine, liver, bladder or other organs.
Where are flatworms found?
Most freshwater flatworms are free-living and can be found in ponds, lakes, streams, ditches, and temporary puddles.
- They live under rocks, plants, and debris to avoid direct sunlight.
- They can be found on hard and soft substrates, but are more common on the hard surfaces.