What structure secretes the egg capsule after earthworm mating?
Answer
clitellum
The clitellum is a vital, specialized, swollen band that appears on mature earthworms, located nearer the head end of the body. This structure is directly involved in reproduction, as it secretes the necessary materials to form the egg capsule, often described visually as resembling a tiny lemon or an unpopped kernel of popcorn. Once the capsule is fully formed around the worm's body, it begins to slide off. During this sliding process, the sperm received from the partner worm during mating is mixed with the eggs internally within the capsule, ensuring fertilization occurs just as the capsule seals before detaching completely from the parent worm.
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