Annelida
/əˈnɛlɪdə
/plural noun Zoology
A large phylum that comprises the segmented worms, which include earthworms, lugworms, ragworms, and leeches.The two largest groups of trochozoans are the Mollusca and the Annelida (segmented worms)....
- Two phyla that are probably close relatives of the Annelida, the Pogonophora and Echiura (spoon worms) are very rare as fossils, but all three groups belong to the larger group Trochozoa.
- The lower metazoan groups Gastrotricha and Gnathostomulida, but also Onychophora, Annelida, Mollusca, and Enteropneusta would be the most relevant taxa.
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from French (animaux) annelés 'ringed (animals)', from Old French anel 'a ring', from Latin anellus, diminutive of anulus 'a ring'.