Question

What is metameric segmentation, and what are its advantages? 350 WORDS 10 MARKS

Answer 1

Metameric segmentation shall be defines as a phenomenon which is found common in certain animals where parts of the body are found to be replicated in a multiple manner with similar function. These parts are usually found to be growing along the longitudinal axis. The structure which undergoes replication can either happen inside the body or shall be found externally outside the body. Research works have found that this replication process is one which happens at the embryo stage itself. During development of these structures, even if any damage has happened to one or more structure, the muscles of these structures will still be useful and hence will never be a vestigeal part. Two class of animals such as Annelida and Arthropoda are the ones that show this phenomenon. Examples include earthworm and millepeds.

There are basically 3 advantages They are as follows

• Locomotion is the primary function of replicated structures and this function is found to be coordinately exhibited by all.
• Each part or segment develop does carry an independent hydrostatic skeleton of its own.
• The fusion of segments formed is also found to happen if needed. This pehenomenon which is known as Tagmatization is also an advantage