Chapter 1. Introduction -- 1.1 Annelidan Science -- 1.2 Species and Structural Diversity -- 1.3 Geographic Distribution -- 1.4 Gutless Oligochaetes -- 1.5 Hydrothermal Vents and Cold Seeps -- 1.6 Energy Budget -- 1.6.1 Osmotrophism -- 1.6.2 Anaerobiosis -- 1.7 Life Span and Generation Time -- 1.8 Gametogenesis -- 1.9 Reproductive Modes and Dispersal -- 1.10 Fertilization Site and Success -- 1.11 Annelidan Larvae -- 1.12 Defense and Parental Care -- 1.13 Metamorphosis and Settlement -- Chapter 2. Sexual Reproduction -- Introduction -- 2.1 Reproductive Systems -- 2.2 Gonochorism -- 2.2.1 Sex Ratio -- 2.2.2 Ovary Somatic Index -- 2.4 Parthenogenesis -- 2.4.1 Parthenogenic Types -- 2.4.2 Parthenogenic Levels -- 2.4.3 Ploidy Levels -- 2.3 Hermaphroditism -- 2.5 Fecundity -- 2.5.1 Sexuality -- 2.5.2 Oogenic Anlage -- 2.5.3 Egg Size -- 2.5.4 Body Size -- 2.6 Poecilogony and Dispersal -- 2.7 Mating Systems -- 2.7.1 Simultaneous Hermaphrodites -- 2.7.2 Sequential Hermaphrodites -- 2.7.3 Labile Gonochorics -- Chapter 3. Regeneration -- Introduction -- 3.1 Regeneration and Reproduction -- 3.2 Incidence and Prevalence -- 3.3 Regenerative Process -- 3.3.1 Wound-healing -- 3.3.2 Cell Migration -- 3.3.3 Blastema and Differentiation -- 3.3.4 Segmentation and Reorganization -- 3.4 Anterior vs Posterior -- Chapter 4. Asexual Reproduction -- Introduction -- 4.1 Obligate Cloners? -- 4.2 Incidence and Prevalence -- 4.3 Observations and Characteristics -- 4.4 Architomy -- 4.5 Naidu's Monograph -- 4.6 Paratomy -- 4.7 Restoration of Sexual Reproduction -- 4.8 Clonal Stem Cells -- Chapter 5. Epitoky -- Introduction -- 5.1 Types and Characteristics -- 5.2 Epigamy -- 5.3 Schizogamy -- 5.4 Vertical Migration -- 5.5 Swarming Phenomenon -- 5.6 Pheromones and Spawning. Chapter 6. Sex Determination -- Introduction -- 6.1 Karyotype and Heterogamety -- 6.2 Gametic Compatibility -- 6.3 Sex Ratio and Variations -- Chapter 7. Sex Differentiation -- Introduction -- 7.1 Endocrine Regulation -- 7.1.1 Nereidids -- 7.1.2 Nephtyids -- 7.1.3 Phyllodocids -- 7.1.4 Arenicolids -- 7.2 Differentiation and Lability -- 7.2.1 Dorvilleids -- 7.2.2 Syllids -- 7.3 Pollutants and Reproduction -- 7.4 Vectors and Borers -- Chapter 8. Vermiculture -- Introduction -- 8.1 Characteristics and Features -- 8.2 Candidate Species -- 8.2.1 Growth -- 8.2.2 Reproduction -- 8.2.3 Polyploids and Parthenogens -- Chapter 9. Summary and New Findings -- Chapter 10 . References -- Author Index -- Species Index --