In some animal groups, the body is found divided into compartments wit...
In some organisms, the body is externally and internally divided into fractions or segments with a serial repetition of atleast some organs. For example ,in earthworm,the body shows this pattern called metameric segmentation and the phenomenon is known as Metamerism
In some animal groups, the body is found divided into compartments wit...
Metamerism in Animal Groups
Metamerism is a characteristic feature found in some animal groups where the body is divided into compartments with serial repetition of at least some organs. This phenomenon is also called segmentation.
Examples of Animals with Metamerism
Metamerism is observed in several animal groups, including:
1. Annelids: Annelids, such as earthworms, have a segmented body with repeated units called metameres. Each metamere contains identical sets of organs, including muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
2. Arthropods: Arthropods, such as insects, have a segmented body with a distinct head, thorax, and abdomen. Each segment contains identical sets of organs, such as legs, wings, and antennae.
3. Chordates: Chordates, such as fish, have a segmented body, with the vertebral column acting as the main structural support. Each segment contains identical sets of organs, including muscles and nerves.
Advantages of Metamerism
Metamerism provides several advantages to animals, including:
1. Improved mobility: The segmentation of the body allows for more efficient movement, as each segment can move independently.
2. Redundancy: If one segment is damaged, the other segments can compensate for the loss, reducing the impact of the injury.
3. Specialization: Each segment can be specialized for a particular function, such as locomotion, feeding, or reproduction.
Conclusion
Metamerism is a characteristic feature found in some animal groups, where the body is divided into compartments with serial repetition of at least some organs. This phenomenon provides several advantages to animals, including improved mobility, redundancy, and specialization.
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