Comment upon the gametic exchange in earthworm during mating.

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Understanding Earthworm Reproduction**: Earthworms are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both male and female reproductive organs within the same individual. This unique characteristic allows them to engage in sexual reproduction.

2. **Protandrous Condition**: In earthworms, there is a protandrous condition where the male reproductive organs mature before the female reproductive organs. This ensures that self-fertilization does not occur, promoting genetic diversity through cross-fertilization.

3. **Mating Process**: During mating, two earthworms come together. They align themselves ventrally and use their genital papillae, which are specialized structures that have suckers, to attach to each other. This attachment is crucial for the transfer of gametes.

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