Earthworms possess both male and female organs on separate segments; thus, mating consists of "parallel parking" in opposite directions and cross-fertilizing. Given this, which of the following is true?

A) This is evidence of a primitive state that is generally less efficient than separate sexes.
B) This is primarily to allow them to self-fertilize if no other worm is in their sector of the soil.
C) This is an advantage since they can mate with any other earthworm of the same species that they encounter.
D) Maintaining any system not clearly male or female is disadvantageous; the earthworm is trapped in an evolutionary dead end.
E) This demonstrates how ineffective self-fertilization is as a means of reproduction.

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Ahmed Tarek Zanaty · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  Earthworms being hermaphrodites allows for any two earthworms of the same species they encounter to mate and cross-fertilize, leading to higher genetic diversity and better adaptation to changing environments. This is an advantage over separate sexes as it increases the likelihood of successful reproduction.

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