Slow walking or Crawling

This type of locomotion is seen while the animal moves on the substratum. It involves a metachronal rhythm of action in the parapodia. Each fifth or sixth parapodium on one side of the body is at similar stage in the cycle of forward recovery stroke and backward effective stroke. During each efficient stroke (Power stroke) the parapodium on one side is turned down towards the ventral side on the substratum; the Parapodia also the setae protruded. The parapodia on the other sides of the segment is now raised toward the dorsal side and carried forward in a recovery stroke along with the setae withdrawn. Next the parapodia reverse their role, those which finished backward effective stroke perform the forward recovery stroke and vice versa. Polynoids or scale worms are extremely efficient walking annelids. During these movements, the parapodia and setae work against the substratum. Though, they are not employed as paddles.