Bones are not essential for locomotion . Earthworm move by using circular and longitudinal muscles along with setae and shoe accordion like locomotion .
Their short bristles or hairs are a great aid to them as well as the peristalsis of their locomotion.
circular muscleslongitudinal muscles
circular muscles
Earthworm have narrow bands of circular muscle fibers around their bodies and longitudinal muscles that control the length of their bodies located inside the circular muscles. These two sets of muscles, which are attached to the bristle-like setae on the outside of the body, work together to change the length and thickness of the worm so it can move.
Circular and Longitudinal muscles.
Longitudinal muscles in annelids run along the length of the body and are responsible for elongating and shortening the body. Circular muscles encircle the body and are responsible for making the body thinner and longer. Together, these muscles work in coordination to help annelids move and burrow through different substrates.
The circular muscles in the esophagus help with peristalsis, the wave-like contractions that push food downward. The longitudinal muscles aid in the stretching and shortening of the esophagus during swallowing. This dual muscle arrangement allows for efficient movement of food along the digestive tract.
The circular muscles contract and expand in co-ordination with the longitudinal muscle in series such as that if the posterior muscle are expanded and the anterior circular muscles are contracted the worm pushes and stretches its front end forward. The anterior muscles then expand to anchor its front end by use of the setae and the rear end is pulled forward. All this happens in a smooth and rhythmic motion.
Earthworms are invertebrates, which means they do not have a backbone. In fact, they don't have any kind of bones, legs, eyes, or teeth. They feel wet, slimy, and squishy.While earthworms do not have legs, they do have muscles. They have muscles that circle their body and muscles that go from one end to the other.The circular muscles allow the worm to make its body wider or more narrow.The longitudinal muscles can shorten or lengthen the worm's body.Using their muscles, earthworms crawl by lengthening its front part and pushing forward through the soil.Notice how skinny the worm looks when its front end moves forward. Remember that the longitudinal muscles push the worm forward and the circular muscles squeeze the worm's body inward. Working together, these different muscles move part of the worm forward. When this is happening, tiny bristles called setaeon the underside of the worm hold the rear part of the worm in place.Once the front part has pushed forward, the front setae hold the worm in place and the rear setae turn loose. Now the worm is in position to pull its rear end forward.Notice how fat the rear end becomes as the worm's circular muscles relax and its longitudinal muscles contract. The rings of the earthworm expand and contract much like the coils of a slinky.
using circular muscles or use longitudinal muscles to squeeze itself flat
The circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward and the longitudinal layer shortens the tract. By Ah Mok