Earthworm have internal or external fertilisation

Dear student,
Earthworm has external fertilization that is different from the others. During mating two earthworms come together and secrete a mucus like substance which adheres them together. The earthworms then separate and form a special structure called cocoons; the cocoon moves in the front direction, picking up eggs at the 14th segment of its body; at the 9th and 10th segments it picks up the sperm which was deposited by the other earthworm during the event of copulation. After this event, the cocoon slides over the head of the earthworm and fertilization takes place. Hence it is considered an external fertilization.

Regards.

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Earthworms have a modified external fertilization
 
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