DOCSLIB.ORG

Abstract the Reproduction of Eudrilus Eugeniae (Kingberg) in Cattle Waste and Pongamia Leaf Waste Was Studied

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Abstract the Reproduction of Eudrilus Eugeniae (Kingberg) in Cattle Waste and Pongamia Leaf Waste Was Studied Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, {Bi-Monthly}, ISSN2249-9598, Volume-II, Issue-VI, Nov-Dec 2012 Reproductive Performance of Eudrilus eugeniae (Kingberg) in Pongamia pinnata Leaf Medium Jesikha. M, M. Lekshemanasamy PG and Research Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore 29, Tamilnadu, India Abstract The reproduction of Eudrilus eugeniae (Kingberg) in cattle waste and pongamia leaf waste was studied. The worm’s reproductive performances in the form of rate of cocoon production, hatchling success per egg, hatching percentage of egg or cocoon and incubation period of cocoons have been studied in both media. The reproduction performance was superior in cow dung medium compare than pongamia leaf medium. The waste can composed by earthworm to form good fertilizers but the pongamia leaves contain some chemical substrate (e.g. polyphenols) affect the reproduction of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. KEY WORDS: Eudrilus eugeniae, waste, cocoon, medium Introduction Vermicomposting is defined as a low cost technology system for processing or treatment of organic waste (Hand et al., 1988). Considerable work has been carried out on vermicomposting of various organic materials such as animal dung, agricultural waste, forestry wastes, city leaf litter and food wastes (Hand et al., 1988; Madan et al., 1988; Singh and Sharma, 2002). Similarly, industrial wastes such as guar gum industrial waste, paper pulp, and distillery wastes have been vermicomposted and turned into nutrient rich manure (Sundaravadivel and Ismail, 1995; Suthar, 2006; Suthar, 2007). Certain epigeic earthworm species such as Eisenia foetida, Perionyx excavatus and Eudrilus eugeniae are voracious feeders of organic wastes (Kale and Bano, 1985). All aspects of the worm biology such as feeding habits, reproduction and biomass production potential must be known in order to utilize the earthworms successfully in vermiculture (Prabha et al., 2007). Eudrilus eugeniae is an earthworm species indigenous in Africa but it has been bred extensively in the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia for the fish bait market, where it is commonly called the African night crawler. Eudrilus eugeniae is a large worm that grows extremely rapid and is reasonably prolific and, under optimum conditions it would be ideal for animal feed protein production (Dominguez et al., 2001); however there has been relatively little work on the biology and ecology of this species (Neuhauser et al., 1979; Viljoen and Reinecke 1992; Reinecke et al., 1992). www.oiirj.org ISSN2249 - 9 5 9 8 Page 2 Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, {Bi-Monthly}, ISSN2249-9598, Volume-II, Issue-VI, Nov-Dec 2012 In the present study, the influence of Pongamia leaf (P) and cow dung(C) substrate or feeding material on the reproduction pattern in composting earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae has been noticed. Materials and Methods In order to determine the reproductive performance in Pongamia leaf and cow dung culture media, the eggs and young worms were collected from the media. To find out over all reproductive performance the rate of cocoon production, hatchling success per egg, hatching percentage of egg or cocoon and incubation period of cocoons collected from different compost were studied. Rate of cocoon production: The rate of cocoon production is production of cocoon by a single earthworm in a single day (egg/day/worm). The rate of cocoon production were recorded once in 3 days for a period of first 30 days from the day of initiation of cocoon laying by adult 20 earthworms (as evidenced by the well developed and bulged clitellum). The substrates were carefully examined and eggs were collected by wet fine brush. Then counted eggs were set aside in Petri dish with similar medium with good moisture for hatchling study. Hatchling success per egg: Baby worms in the number of that were emerging successfully from a single egg is hatchling success per egg. Fifty cocoons, collected from all four substrates were selected and each set was placed in separate petri dish filled with 60-65% moistened substrates. Emerging of hatchling were observed daily, counted by hand sorting with brush and removed daily using a fine brush in order to determine the total number of hatchlings emerged from a single cocoon and incubation period. Hatching percentage of cocoon: The viability of cocoon or hatching percentage of cocoons was determined by hatched and unhatched cocoons in the petri dish. Results and Discussion The sexual maturity in earthworms has been suggested to be stimulated by quality and intake of feed substrate provided in culture medium (Bohlen, 2002). The time of attainment of sexual maturity varied in different species of earthworms. Even the time of maturity of one species on different substrate showed variations. The attainment of sexual maturity in Eudrilus eugeniae was reported between 35-45 days (Viljoen and Reinecke 1992) and between 35-49 days (Neuhauser et al., 1979) cultured on cattle manure and after 56 days on sludge and cattle manure (Graff, 1981). In the present study, Eudrilus eugeniae attained sexual maturity between 38-40days in pongamia leaf medium and 31- 35days in cow dung medium. It has been reported that E. eugeniae attained sexual maturity between 31- 42 days in cow dung manure and 27-38 days in pressmud (Parthasarathi, 2006). www.oiirj.org ISSN2249 - 9 5 9 8 Page 3 Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, {Bi-Monthly}, ISSN2249-9598, Volume-II, Issue-VI, Nov-Dec 2012 In Eudrilus eugeniae maximum cocoon numbers (worm -1) and reproduction rate (cocoon/worm/day) were recorded as 1.42 ± 0.009 cow dung medium and the lowest reproduction rate was recorded as 0.67 ± 0.005 in pongamia leaves medium (Fig no: 1) . The cocoons collected from cow dung medium showed highest hatchling success (Fig no: 3) and better incubation period (Fig no: 2). The lowest hatchling success and incubation period were noticed in pongamia leaf medium. Livestock rearing waste such as cattle dung, pig and chicken excreta makes excellent feedstock for earthworms (Sinha et al., 2008). A relationship between reproductive strategies and ecological categories in tropical earthworms was proposed by Lavelle et al., (1998) and Barois et al., (1999). The excellent egg hatching percentage of Eudrilus eugeniae was noticed (82 ± 1.15) on cow dung medium and the lowest hatching percentage recorded on Pongamia leaves medium (Fig no: 4). Eudrilus eugeniae is a fast growing and productive earthworm in animal waste, and in ideally suited as a source of animal feed protein as well as for rapid organic waste conversion. It is more productive in terms of rates of growth than other species and seems to be a suitable candidate for vermicomposting systems, in tropical and tropical countries both feasible and economic. Michon (1957), Avel (1959) and Nowak (1975) have worked on different species of earthworms. They reported three phases of growth: (a) a rapid increase of growth rate during pre-productive phase followed by (b) a phase of steady decrease after attainment of sexual maturity and (c) a post-productive phase of very slow growth and decrease in body weight in senescent worms. The present findings of accelerated growth rate during the pre-reproductive phase of L. mauritii and E. eugeniae cultured in three fed substrates were more or less similar with the findings of Mba (1983). Chaudhuri (2002) stated that the maximum size and development of an animal are determined by heredity and nutrition. The same species of earthworms when cultured on different fed substrates show variation in their reproduction which reflects the nutrient superiority of the feed substrates (Kale and Bano, 1992; Viljoen and Reinecke, 1992; Dominguez et al., 2001). On the otherhand, Eudrilus eugeniae cultured on cattle dung attained a maximum biomass (Viljoen and Reinecke, 1992) and reproduction (Kale and Bano, 1992). Similar reproduction has also been reported in Eudrilus eugeniae when cultured in pressmud substrate (Parthasarathi, 2006). Reference Avel, M. (1959) Classe des annelids oligochaetes (Oligochaeta, Huxley, 1875). Traite de Zool. 5; 224-271. Barois, I., Lavelle, P., Brossard, M., Tondoh, J., Angeles Martinez, M., Rossi, J. P., Senapati, B. K., Angeles, A., Fragoso, C., Jimenez, J. J., Decaëns, T., Lattaud, C., Kanyonyo, J., Blanchart, E., Chapuis, L., Brown, G. and Moreno, A. (1999) Ecology of earthworms species with large environmental tolerance and/or extended distribution; in www.oiirj.org ISSN2249 - 9 5 9 8 Page 4 Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, {Bi-Monthly}, ISSN2249-9598, Volume-II, Issue-VI, Nov-Dec 2012 Earthworms management in tropical agroecosystems (eds) P Lavelle, L Brussaard and P Hendrix (London: CAB International) pp 57–84. Bohlen, P. J. (2002) Earthworms. Encyclopedia of Soil Science, Marcel Dekker. Inc. USA (2002). Chaudhuri, S. K. (2002) Concise Medical Physiology, 4th Edn., New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd., Calcutta (2002). Dominguez, J., Edwards, C. A. and Ashby, J. (2001) The biology and population dynamics of Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg) (Oligochaeta) in cattle waste solids. Pedobiologia. 45: 341-353. Hallatt, L., Viljoen, S. A. and Reinecke, A. J. (1992) Moisture requirements in the life cycle of Perionyx excavatus (Oligochaeta); Soil Biol. Biochem. 24: 1333–1340. Hallatt, L., Viljoen, S. A. and Reinecke, A. J. (1992) Moisture requirements in the life cycle of Perionyx excavatus (Oligochaeta). Soil Biol. Biochem. 24: 1333–1340. Hand, P., Hayes, W. A., Frankland, J. C. and Satchell, J. E. (1988) The Vermicomposting of cow slurry. Pedobiologia. 31:199-209. Kale, R. D. and Bano, K. (1986) Field trials with vermicompost – an inorganic fertilizer. In: Proceedings of the National Seminar on Organic Waste Utilization of Vermicompost, eds 1986. Kale, R. D. and Bano, K. (1992) Niche divergence – A limiting factor for recommendation of earthworms for biotechnology. Proc. Nat. Sem. Org. Fmg., Bangalore. pp. 42-44. Lavelle, P., Barois, I., Blanchart, E., Brown, G., Brussaard, L., Decaëns, T., Fragoso, C., Jimenez, J. J., Kajondo, K. K., Ángeles Martinez, M.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download Article (PDF)
    Rec. zool. Surv. India: l08(Part-3) : 21-25,2008 EARTHWORMS OF NORTH 24 PARGANAS, WEST BENGAL PROBIR K. BANDYOPADHYAY*, C. K. MANDAL** AND AMLAN K. MITRA* * Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-74I 235, West Bengal, India INTRODUCTION Soil animals may play a range of roles in vineyards. Decomposers (some of which are opportunistic herbivores) are important in nutrient dynamics, because by reducing organic matter to its constituents, they liberate nutrients usable by grapevines. Earthworms are only part of the complex of organisms termed "decomposers" in agroecology. As noted by Charles Darwin in his 1882 classic, The Fonnation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Earthworms with Observations on Their Habits (Werner, 1990), earthworms process huge quantities of plant litter and help to convert it into rich topsoil, liberating nutrients for renewed plant growth. More recent studies show that earthworms can help to reduce soil compaction, improving permeability and aeration. Earthworms do this through burrowing activities, ingestion of soil along with plant debris, and subsequent excretion of casts. Upon drying, these casts form water-stable soil aggregates. These aggregates are clumps of soil particles bound together by organic compounds, and their presence helps to improve soil structure, retain nutrients that might otherwise be leached, and reduce the threat of erosion (Lee, 1985). Earthworms are increasingly recognized as indicators of agro-ecosystem health and as important tools for ensuring soil improvement and efficient nutrient cycling. In India, due to continuous biodiversity surveys of earthworms number of new species IS increasing day by day, although in comparison to more than 3000 global species (Stephenson, 1923), the number of Indian species is far less (only 390).
    [Show full text]
  • Biological and Physiological Responses of Perionyx Excavatus to Abamectin
    Environmental Science and Pollution Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06013-0 RESEARCH ARTICLE Biological and physiological responses of Perionyx excavatus to abamectin Beewah Ng1 & Ratmanee Chanabun2 & Somsak Panha1 Received: 31 January 2019 /Accepted: 22 July 2019 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2019 Abstract Biological and behavioral responses of the tropical earthworm Perionyx excavatus towards different concentrations of abamectin were evaluated. Abamectin significantly reduced the biomass and reproduction (cocoon production) of P. excavatus as well as inducing histopathological alterations in the cuticle. Biomass loss was recorded in P. excavatus exposed to abamectin at a concentration as low as 0.1 mg active ingredient (a.i.) kg−1, while atrophy, another physiological response, was observed at an abamectin concentration of 0.21 μgcm−2 in a filter paper test. Cocoon production was significantly reduced in the presence of abamectin, and no cocoons were produced at doses of 20 mg a.i. kg−1 or higher, while abamectin at 50 mg a.i. kg−1 induced extreme pathology, characterized by the loss of the integrity of the whole body wall and intestine of P. excavatus. Histopathological alterations can be used as a biomarker to evaluate the toxicological impact of exposure to abamectin. Keywords Abamectin . Perionyx excavatus . Physiological morphology . Cocoon production . Histopathology Introduction tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici), armyworms (Spodoptera sp.), and tomato pinworms (Keiferia Agriculture remains an important sector of Malaysia’secono- lycopersicella). The first record of P. xylostella in Malaysia my, contributing 12% to the national gross domestic product was reported in 1925 and it became a serious pest of crucifers (GDP) and providing employment for 16% of the population.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case Study of the Exotic Peregrine Earthworm Morphospecies Pontoscolex Corethrurus Shabnam Taheri, Céline Pelosi, Lise Dupont
    Harmful or useful? A case study of the exotic peregrine earthworm morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus Shabnam Taheri, Céline Pelosi, Lise Dupont To cite this version: Shabnam Taheri, Céline Pelosi, Lise Dupont. Harmful or useful? A case study of the exotic peregrine earthworm morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Elsevier, 2018, 116, pp.277-289. 10.1016/j.soilbio.2017.10.030. hal-01628085 HAL Id: hal-01628085 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01628085 Submitted on 5 Jan 2018 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Harmful or useful? A case study of the exotic peregrine earthworm MARK morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus ∗ ∗∗ S. Taheria, , C. Pelosib, L. Duponta, a Université Paris Est Créteil, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Université Paris-Diderot, Institut d’écologie et des Sciences de l'environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), Créteil, France b UMR ECOSYS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78026 Versailles, France ABSTRACT Exotic peregrine earthworms are often considered to cause environmental harm and to have a negative impact on native species, but, as ecosystem engineers, they enhance soil physical properties. Pontoscolex corethrurus is by far the most studied morphospecies and is also the most widespread in tropical areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Diversity of Terrestrial Earthworms in Different
    SPECIES DIVERSITY OF TERRESTRIAL EARTHWORMS IN KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK Prasuk Kosavititkul A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Biology Suranaree University of Technology Academic Year 2005 ISBN 974-533-516-9 ความหลากหลายของชนิดไสเดือนดินในเขตอุทยานแหงชาติเขาใหญ นายประสุข โฆษวิฑิตกุล วิทยานิพนธน เปี้ นสวนหนงของการศึ่ ึกษาตามหลักสูตรปริญญาวิทยาศาสตรดุษฎีบณฑั ิต สาขาวิชาชีววทยาสิ ิ่งแวดลอม มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีสุรนารี ปการศึกษา 2548 ISBN 974-533-516-9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am most grateful to thank Asst. Prof. Dr. Panee Wannitikul, my advisor, for her generous help, encouragement and guidance throughout this thesis from the beginning. Her criticism, improvement, and proper of manuscript have made this thesis in correct form. I sincerely thank to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Korakod Indrapichate, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somsak Panha, Dr. Nathawut Thanee and Dr. Pongthep Suwanwaree for their valuable advice and guidance in this thesis. I am sincerely grateful to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sam James, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, Kansas University for his helpful and kind assistance in confirming and identifying earthworms. Thanks also to the Center for Scientific and Technological Equipment, Suranaree University of Technology for the laboratory facilities and scientific instruments. Special thank is due to the Khao Yai National Park for permitting me to work in the park. I would like to express my special thank to Naresuan University for the scholarship supporting my study. Special gratitude is expressed to my parents, my sisters, my family, my friends, my seniors, my juniors, and other people who give me a supported power whenever I lose my own power. Prasuk Kosavititkul CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT IN THAI…………………………………………………………… I ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH……………………………………………………… II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………..
    [Show full text]
  • Morphological and Histological Studies on the Vermicomposting Indian Earthworm Eudrilus Eugeniae
    World Journal of Zoology 7 (2): 165-170, 2012 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2012.7.2.62154 Morphological and Histological Studies on the Vermicomposting Indian Earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae 12T.M. Vijaya, Sushil Kumar Middha, 3Talambedu Usha, 1H.K. Aruna, 12R. Bharathi, Deepti Saini and 4G. Govindaraj 1Department of Zoology, Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College For Women, Malleswaram, Bangalore - 560012, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College For Women, Malleswaram, Bangalore - 560012, India 3Department of Biochemistry, Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College For Women, Malleswaram, Bangalore - 560012, India 4Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, G.K.V.K. Bangalore - 560065, India Abstract: Earthworm is a potential contributor in organic waste disposal or vermicomposting. Eudrilus eugeniae collected from moist subsurface soil and under stones in the University of Agriculture Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, India, were studied. E. eugeniae can also be utilized for protein source in animal feed. The external features, growth, reproductive morphology and histology were investigated. The Indian E. eugeniae has higher bodyweight as compared to the African counterparts, in spite of comparable lengths. Morphology of the reproductive parts and histology of the ovary and oviduct of these worms are elucidated by histological staining methods. There have been no previous reports about these clitellar earthworms from the Indian subcontinent. The histological details of the ovary reveals the presence of larger follicles towards the periphery which shows degenerative changes, while the smaller primary follicles and oocyte are concentrated in the center. Further, the posterior part of the oviduct shows the presence of dense mass of sperms in its large lumen which confirms the process of internal fertilization in Eudrilus eugeniae.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity of Compost Mesofauna and Its Potential As an Indicator of the Composting Process Status
    ® Dynamic Soil, Dynamic Plant ©2011 Global Science Books Biodiversity of Compost Mesofauna and its Potential as an Indicator of the Composting Process Status Hanne Steel* • Wim Bert Nematology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Corresponding author : * [email protected] ABSTRACT One of the key issues in compost research is to assess the quality and maturity of the compost. Biological parameters, especially based on mesofauna, have multiple advantages for monitoring a given system. The mesofauna of compost includes Isopoda, Myriapoda, Acari, Collembola, Oligochaeta, Tardigrada, Hexapoda, and Nematoda. This wide spectrum of organisms forms a complex and rapidly changing community. Up to the present, none of the dynamics, in relation to the composting process, of these taxa have been thoroughly investigated. However, from the mesofauna, only nematodes possess the necessary attributes to be potentially useful ecological indicators in compost. They occur in any compost pile that is investigated and in virtually all stages of the compost process. Compost nematodes can be placed into at least three functional or trophic groups. They occupy key positions in the compost food web and have a rapid respond to changes in the microbial activity that is translated in the proportion of functional (feeding) groups within a nematode community. Further- more, there is a clear relationship between structure and function: the feeding behavior is easily deduced from the structure of the mouth cavity and pharynx. Thus, evaluation and interpretation of the abundance and function of nematode faunal assemblages or community structures offers an in situ assessment of the compost process.
    [Show full text]
  • F:\Zoos'p~1\2004\March2~1
    CASE REPORT ZOOS' PRINT JOURNAL 19(3): 1394-1400 ILLUSTRATIONS OF EARTHWORMS OCCURING IN AND AROUND CHENNAI, INDIA V.I. Ramzan Begum 1 and Sultan Ahmed Ismail 2 1 Institute of Research in Soil Biology and Biotechnology, The New College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014, India. 2 Corresponding author: Ecoscience Research Foundation, Plot 98, Baaz Nagar, 3/621 East Coast Road, Palavakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041, India. 2 Email: [email protected] Abstract made to keep the description simple. Earthworms were collected from Chennai and its environs for taxonomic listing and to prepare a brief guide for Earthworms occur all over the world, but only rarely in deserts, identification by budding vermiculturists. Earthworm areas under constant snow and ice, mountain ranges and areas species were identified using existing taxonomic keys. almost entirely lacking in soil and vegetation (Edwards & Bohlen, Drawida scandens, Lampito mauritii, Perionyx 1996). excavatus, Perionyx sansibaricus, Octochaetona barnesi, Octochaetona pattoni, Octochaetona serrata, Earthworms belong to the Order Oligochaeta of the Phylum Octochaetona thurstoni, Dichogaster bolaui and Annelida. Oligochaetes are bilaterally symmetrical coelomate Eudrilus eugeniae have been recorded. D. bolaui was invertebrates with internal and external metameric segmentation the smallest while O. thurstoni was the largest species in throughout the body. Oligochaetes are often divided into two size observed. Fully mature adults of the common species convenient groups Microdrili and Megadrili. During the last collected over a period of time from sites in and around decade and half (Ismail, 1997) much taxonomic work on Indian Chennai are illustrated. Among the species, Eudrilus earthworms has been carried out by Julka (1975, 1976a,b, 1977, eugeniae does not occur naturally and are procured from 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1993), Jamieson (1977) and Easton (1982).
    [Show full text]
  • Composting Worms for Hawaii
    Home Garden Aug. 2005 HG-46 Composting Worms for Hawaii Piper Selden,1 Michael DuPonte,2 Brent Sipes,3 and Kelly Dinges2 1Hawaii Rainbow Worms, 2, 3CTAHR Departments of 2Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences and 3Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences Perionyx excavatus cocoon contains several fertilized eggs, which hatch in 2–3 weeks under suitable conditions. Reproductive rates Blue worm, India blue worm, Malaysian blue vary according to the temperature and environmental worm, traveling worm conditions, which in vermiculture depend on the maintenance of the composting system. Under favorable Origin conditions, blue worms may each produce about 20 offspring per week, which in turn will take 3–5 weeks Perionyx excavatus (Perrier 1872) is found over large to reach sexual maturity. areas of tropical Asia, including India, Malaysia, the Phillippines, and Australia. It is also found in parts of Uses South America, in Puerto Rico, and in some areas of Blue worm is an excellent composting worm and a the United States (south of the Mason Dixon line and prolific breeder given proper nutrient sources and in the Gulf Coast region). Naturalized populations of P. maintenance of its environment, particularly in tropical excavatus have been identified in Hawaii; how long it and subtropical locations. has been here is not known. Description 1 3 Perionyx excavatus is a small earthworm 1 ⁄4–2 ⁄4 inches long. Its front part is deep purple and its hind part is dark red or brown. It has an iridescent, blue-violet sheen on its skin that is visible in bright light. These worms are highly active and twitch when disturbed.
    [Show full text]
  • Different Names of Earthworm in Tamil • நாக்குப்பூச்சி
    Earthworm (மண்ꯁ폁 ) Different names of earthworm in tamil நாக்埁ப்ꯂச்殿 நாங்埂ழ் ꯂநாகம் நாக்垿ளிப்ꯁ폁 நாக்垿ளிப்ꯁ폁மண்ꯁ폁 கண்டபதம் நிலவேர் ꯂ뮿வேர் மண்迁ளிப்பாம்ꯁ மண்ணில் உண்டாம் ꯁ폁 வகை வமகத்鎿ன்ힿந்鏁 உ뾿ரியல் வகைப்பா翁 鎿கண: ힿலங்垿னம் த ா埁鎿: வகை ் கைப்ꯁ폁ை்ைை் வ埁ப்ꯁ: en:Clitellata வரிகை: en:Haplotaxida 鏁கணவரிகை: Lumbricina பர்뮿毁டர், 1837 The farmer’s friend, the humble earthworm is an annelid that helps retain the fertility of the soil. This is an invertebrate animal that lives mostly in the upper layer of the soil. An earthworm is a segmented worm; a terrestrial invertebrate belonging to the phylum Annelida. They are the common inhabitants of moist soil and feed on organic matter. Earthworms are commonly called as farmer’s friend. This is because the worm casting (faecal deposit) increases the fertility and burrowing helps in proper aeration of the soil. Earthworms are commonly found in soil, eating a wide variety of organic matter includes plant matter, living protozoa, rotifers, nematodes, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Generally, within a species, the number of segments found is consistent across specimens, and individuals are born with the number of segments they will have throughout their lives. The first body segment (segment number 1) features both the earthworm's mouth and, overhanging the mouth, a fleshy lobe called the prostomium, which seals the entrance when the worm is at rest, but is also used to feel and chemically sense the worm's surroundings. Some species of earthworm can even use the prehensile prostomium to grab and drag items such as grasses and leaves into their burrow.
    [Show full text]
  • Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, And
    ChaptEr 5 the Microbiology of Vermicomposting Jorge Dominguez CONtENtS I What is Vermicomposting? ............................................................................ 53 II Vermicomposting Food Web .......................................................................... 55 III The Process of Vermicomposting ................................................................... 55 IV Effects of Earthworms on Microbial Communities during Vermicomposting............................................................................................56 A Microbial Biomass ...................................................................................57 B Bacterial and Fungal Growth ...................................................................59 C Effects of Earthworms on the Activity of Microbial Communities ........59 D Effect of Earthworms on Total Coliform Bacteria during Vermicomposting ..................................................................................... 61 E Effect of Earthworms on the Composition of Microbial Communities ............................................................................................63 V Conclusions .....................................................................................................64 Acknowledgment .....................................................................................................64 References ................................................................................................................65 I WhAt IS VErMICOMPOStING? Although
    [Show full text]
  • Gallery Proof PRL2013-IJRPLS 1764
    Sivasankari.B et al Available online at www.pharmaresearchlibrary.com/ijrpls ISSN: 2321-5038 IJRPLS, 2013,1(2):64-67 Research Article INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PHARMACY AND LIFE SCIENCES www.pharmaresearchlibrary.com/ijrpls A Study on life cycle of Earth worm Eudrilus eugeniae Sivasankari.B, Indumathi.S, Anandharaj.M* Department of Biology, Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed University, Gandhigram, Dindigul, Tamilnadu, India. *E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Eudrilus eugeniae is an earthworm species indigenous in Africa but it has been bred extensively in the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia for the fish bait market, where it is commonly called the African night crawler. In the present study the Eudrilus eugeniae were grown in cow dung and their life cycle were studied in different days of intervals like 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. The important parameters such as cocoon production, hatchlings, total biomass and length of the earthworms were measured. The cocoon production was started at after 30 days and hatchlings were released after 45 days. Key words: Eudrilus eugeniae, Life cycle, Cow dung. Introduction Eudrilus eugeniae has originated from West Africa and are popularly called as “African night crawler”. They are also found in Srilanka and in the Western Ghats of India, particularly, in Travancore and Poona (Graff, 1981). Eudrilus eugeniae lives on the surface layer (epigeic) of moist soil and are also found wherever organic matter is accumulated (Bouche, 1977). It is nocturnal and lies in the surface layer during the day. The worm is reddish brown with convex dorsal surface and pale white, flattened ventral side.
    [Show full text]
  • IDENTIFICATION of LYSENIN PROTEIN FUNCTION in COELOMIC FLUID of EUDRILUS EUGENIAE S.Murugan, Reg No
    European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 08, Issue 03, 2021 IDENTIFICATION OF LYSENIN PROTEIN FUNCTION IN COELOMIC FLUID OF EUDRILUS EUGENIAE S.Murugan, Reg No. 11654 Research Scholar (Full Time) Department of Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli – 627012, Tamil Nadu, India. Dr.S.Umamaheswari, M. Sc., PhD, Professor Department of Biotechnology Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Tirunelveli – 627012, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: [email protected] Abstract The coelomic fluid (CF) is the body fluid present in the space between the body wall and gut in the earthworms. The earthworm’s coelomic fluid contains various molecules and exhibits important biological properties such as antimicrobial substances, hemagglutination and anticoagulant agents. The coelomic fluid of earthworm possesses primary function that has the ability to destroy the membranes of foreign cells. It is a mechanism that leads to cell death by the release of cytosol and attributes coelomocytes which secretes humoral effectors into the coelomic fluid. In this work, bacterial cultures namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis were injected into the earthworm body cavity. Then the coelomic fluid extract from the bacteria injected earthworms were collected out. The extracted coelomic fluids were partially purified and precipitated using ammonium sulphate and analyzed to biological activities such as antibacterial activity, proteases activity and heamolytic activity. Then the active compounds present in the coelomic fluids were analysed to FTIR, HPLC and LCMS. This concludes that the microbes introduced into the earthworm body containing coelomic fluids have lysenin protein that inhibits antibacterial, protease and haemolytic activity. Hence the induction of bacterial cultures Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis into the earthworm’s body cavity leads to the secretion of lysenin protein in the coelomic fluid of earthworms.
    [Show full text]