Movement of cattle slurry through soil by Eisenia foetida (Savigny)

Cattle slurry (84% moisture, pH 7.8) was added to a sandy soil (pH 6.2) in the presence or absence of earthworms. The addition of slurry resulted in an immediate increase in pH, inorganic nitrogen and bacterial numbers in the upper 7.5 cm of the soil. The activity of the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Savigny) mixed the slurry with the soil to a depth of 17.5cm, as indicated by the movement of coliform bacteria through the soil. In the absence of earthworms, the effects of slurry were restricted to the zone of slurry introduction. Earthworm activity also resulted in a net mineralization of nitrogen, whereas a net loss of mineral nitrogen was observed when earthworms were excluded.     

Glyphosate Sublethal Effects on the Population Dynamics of the Earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826)

Pesticides’ sublethal effects are not regularly taken into account when assessing agrochemical’s toxicity. With the objective of detecting chronic, sublethal effects of the widely used herbicide glyphosate, an experiment was performed using the earthworm Eisenia fetida as model organism. Earthworm adults were randomly assigned to three glyphosate treatments: control (no glyphosate), regular dose for perennial weeds, and double dose. Six E. fetida individuals were placed in each pot. Two random pots were taken weekly from each treatment and the number of adults, individual weight, number of cocoons, and presence and number of young earthworms were recorded. A matrix analysis was performed with the data. The matrix population model built showed that while the control population had a positive growth rate, both glyphosate treatments showed negative growth rates. The results suggest that under these sublethal effects, non-target populations are at risk of local extinction, underscoring the importance of this type of studies in agrochemical environmental risk assessment.     

新烟碱类和阿维菌素类药剂对蚯蚓的急性毒性效应

为评价农药对蚯蚓的生态风险提供基础数据,采用滤纸法和人工土壤法测定了新烟碱类和阿维菌素类药剂对蚯蚓的急性毒性效应。滤纸法测定结果表明,吡虫啉、啶虫脒、烯啶虫胺、氯噻啉和噻虫啉5种新烟碱类药剂对蚯蚓的LC50值范围为0.0089（0.0075～0.010）μg·cm^-2～0.44（0.34～0.56）μg·cm^-2（48h结果）,噻虫嗪对蚯蚓的LC50值在24h和48h均大于62.91μg·cm^-2;阿维菌素、依维菌素和甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐3种阿维菌素类药剂对蚯蚓的LC50值范围为4.52（3.71～5.50）μg·cm^-2～22.76（18.68～27.73）μg·cm^-2（48h结果）。人工土壤法测定结果表明,5种新烟碱类药剂（除噻虫嗪外）对蚯蚓的LC50值范围为1.54（1.43～1.71）mg·kg^-1～17.29（16.44～19.41）mg·kg^-1（14d结果）,噻虫嗪对蚯蚓的LC50值在第7d和14d均大于1200mg·kg^-1;3种阿维菌素类药剂对蚯蚓的LC50值范围为27.93（26.04～29.81）mg·kg^-1～175.33（162.82～188.91）mg·kg^-1（14d结果）。根据《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》,吡虫啉、啶虫脒和烯啶虫胺对蚯蚓属于中毒级,其他的药剂对蚯蚓属于低毒级。     

Potential of Eisenia foetida for Sustainable and Efficient Vermicomposting of Fly Ash

Vermicomposting of fly ash has been attempted, using red earthworm, Eisenia foetida. Fly ash, which was obtained from thermal power station, was mixed with cowdung in different proportions (20, 40, 60 and 80%). These mixtures were used as feed for earthworms, and after 30 days, vermicast recovery, worm zoomass and numbers of juveniles produced were recorded. A total of six runs each of 30 days were conducted during the whole study. Concentrations of heavy metals in different mixtures of fly ash–cowdung, before and after vermicomposting and in the earthworms used in the study were also estimated. Results show maximum output of vermicasts and maximum number of juveniles produced was in reactors with 40% fly ash while maximum weight gain by earthworm was in 20% fly ash vermireactors. Performance of vermireactors up to 60% fly ash was more or less similar but at 80% fly ash, there is a marked reduction in overall performance of the reactors. Chemical analysis of different samples of fly ash–cowdung mixtures prior to vermicomposting revealed high concentrations of zinc, chromium, lead, nickel and copper. Chemical analysis of vermicomposted samples showed 30–50% reduction in heavy metals up to 60% fly ash and 10–30% reduction in 80% fly ash. Metal analysis of earthworms revealed considerable bioaccumulation of heavy metals in their body. The Present study indicates the feasibility of E. foetida for mitigating the toxicity of metals and up to 60% fly ash–cowdung mixtures can be used for sustainable and efficient vermicomposting.     

Stress protein response (Hsp70) and avoidance behaviour in Eisenia fetida, Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris when exposed to imidacloprid

Purpose  

The earthworm species Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei are commonly used in ecotoxicological standard tests. In the present study, we compared the sensitivity of E. fetida with that of two soil-dwelling earthworm species (Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris) in order to evaluate the capacity of E. fetida to predict effects of the insecticide imidacloprid. Responses were compared using two endpoints, a biochemical (changes in heat shock protein level (hsp70)) and a behavioural (avoidance behaviour).     

Lysosomal Fragility in Earthworms (Eisenia Veneta) Exposed to Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils from Two Abandoned Pyrite Ore Mines in Southern Norway

In this study we have investigated the toxicity of soils from thetwo abandoned pyrite mines Ertelien and Konnerud in the southernpart of Norway. Soil samples were collected close to the pitheadof the mines, and earthworms were exposed to different concentrations of the contaminated mine soil mixed with commercial plant soil for a period of 14 days. Life-cycle responses such as growth and survival, as well as the biomarkerresponse lysosomal fragility were measured. The body burdens ofthe four heavy metals Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb were detected in the worms, and the body concentration of the metals generally increased with increasing heavy metal concentration in the soil.The growth and mortality of the earthworms were not influenced when exposed to any of the mine soil concentrations used. The lysosomal fragility of the earthworm coelomocytes measured by the neutral red retention time (NRR-time) was found to be markedly reduced in all the exposed earthworms. This assay seemsto be a sensitive and dose dependent endpoint for the toxicity assessment of heavy metal mixtures in pyrite mine soils.     

Density, biomass and vertical distribution ofAporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny 1826) (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) in Benghazi, Libya

Studies were conducted during the period May 1993 to April 1994 on the density, biomass and vertical distribution ofAporrectodea caliginosa, a common species of earthworm found in the Benena farms in Benghazi, Libya. The soil of the farm was a clay loam, pH 7.3, and the organic matter averaged 4.2%. Maximum density and biomass ofA. caliginosa were recorded from October to December 1993 and again during March and April 1994, and minimum values were recorded from May to July 1993. A juvenile dominant population was observed during the summer. This was followed by an increase in subadults and adults during the autumn, winter and spring seasons. A positive correlation of the moisture and an inverse correlation of soil temperature on the density and biomass of these animals were discernible. A. caliginosa mainly confined their activities to the surface organic zone (0–10 cm depth) of the soil for most of the months studied.     

Internal regulation of reproduction seasonality in earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra (Savigny, 1826) (Lumbricidae, Oligochaeta)

The study was conducted on Dendrobaena octaedra—a small epigeic earthworm species common in different forest types. In the laboratory the P (parent animals collected in forest) and F1 generations were cultured separately in containers filled with 50 g artificial soil. The containers were kept at 15±0.5 °C, 80% humidity and constant artificial light of low intensity. Every month during the 47 months of culture, the animals and cocoons were removed from the soil by washing on a sieve, weighed, and replaced into new soil. Individuals of the F1 generation did not reproduce continuously. Cocoon production was seasonal, despite culture in constant conditions throughout the whole experiment. Reproduction was highest in spring and summer, and dropped in the winter months. Seasonality characterized the fraction of animals reproducing as well as the number of cocoons produced. The observed seasonal changes in the cocoon production of the F1 generation cultured in constant conditions suggest that internal regulation of reproduction may exist in the earthworm D. octaedra. External factors like temperature, moisture, photoperiod or food supply, which could be responsible for seasonality of reproduction were missing.     

A comparison of the biology of Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta)

Summary Specimens of locally occurring Eisenia fetida were compared with specimens of E. fetida and E. andrei obtained from France. All specimens were cultured in the laboratory under controlled conditions and growth, maturation, cocoon production, hatching success, and the number of hatchlings were compared. The results showed some differences between the two forms. The eventual worm biomass was the same for both, although the growth reats and the rate at which maturity was attained differed. E. andrei had a higher cumulative cocoon production. Although the local worms resembled E. andrei in appearance their cocoon production rate resembled that of E. fetida from France. E. andrei produced higher numbers of hatchlings per cocoon. The results show that the biology of the two species/forms is similar. The study did not provide convincing proof to substantiate a taxonomic distinction between the two forms of Eisenia.     

Suitable characters for selective breeding in Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta)

Selective breeding of invertebrates has been suggested by many but studied by few. The possibilities of improving characters like biomass, maturation time, coccoon production rate, and hatching success of cocoons for the earthworm Eisenia fetida were examined in the present study. The results showed that biomass, maturation time, and number of hatchlings could be successfully improved by selective breeding, although a concomitant tendency to a lower reproductive rate, as found in vertebrates, was observed. Other characters like cocoon production rate, hatching success, and number of hatchlings per cocoon also showed promising results.     

Life cycle traits of the parthenogenetic earthworm Octolasion cyaneum (Savigny, 1826)

This laboratory-based study provides baseline life cycle data for the obligatory parthenogenetic earthworm Octolasion cyaneum. Singleton and twin hatchlings were cultured individually with biomass, survival and reproductive condition recorded at 4-weekly intervals during a complete year. After maturation, cocoon production, masses and incubation time were also recorded along with viability and number of hatchlings per cocoon. Individual mean mass of singletons was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than twins at the outset (0.042 and 0.025 g respectively) and remained so until week 52 (2.22 and 1.96 g respectively). Singletons matured more rapidly than twins (24 vs. 32 weeks respectively) and produced more cocoons than twins (3.2 and 2.2 coc worm⁻¹ (4 weeks)⁻¹ respectively). Approximately 20% of all viable cocoons produced twins. Singleton hatchlings weighed significantly (P < 0.05) more than twin hatchlings (0.032 and 0.018 g respectively) but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between mean masses of singleton (mean masses 0.033 and 0.032 g) or twin (0.017 and 0.018 g) hatchlings produced by singleton and twin parents. The likelihood that a cocoon contained twins or a singleton was not influenced by the singleton/twin status of the parent. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the incubation times of cocoons produced by singletons and twins (129 and 128 days respectively).     

Density, biomass and vertical distribution ofAporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny 1826) (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) in Benghazi, Libya

Studies were conducted during the period May 1993 to April 1994 on the density, biomass and vertical distribution ofAporrectodea caliginosa, a common species of earthworm found in the Benena farms in Benghazi, Libya. The soil of the farm was a clay loam, pH 7.3, and the organic matter averaged 4.2%. Maximum density and biomass ofA. caliginosa were recorded from October to December 1993 and again during March and April 1994, and minimum values were recorded from May to July 1993. A juvenile dominant population was observed during the summer. This was followed by an increase in subadults and adults during the autumn, winter and spring seasons. A positive correlation of the moisture and an inverse correlation of soil temperature on the density and biomass of these animals were discernible. A. caliginosa mainly confined their activities to the surface organic zone (0–10 cm depth) of the soil for most of the months studied.     

Effect of Biofumigants on Soil Microbial Communities and Ecotoxicology of Earthworms (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia andrei</Emphasis>)

Biofumigation is considered a good alternative to chemical fumigation because it can control crop pathogens and diseases with lower health and environmental risks than chemical fumigants. Glucosinolates are volatile compounds found in most Brassica species, and when hydrolysed, it forms a range of natural toxins including isothiocyanates that act as biofumigants. However, the effect of glucosinolates and their breakdown products on non-target and beneficial soil organisms is not well documented. Three biofumigants, broccoli, mustard and oilseed radish, were evaluated for their effect on earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and the soil microbial community. Sub-lethal endpoints, including growth and reproductive success of the earthworms, were monitored. Genotoxicity of the biofumigants towards earthworms was evaluated by means of the comet assay. Broccoli reduced earthworm reproduction while mustard induced more DNA strand breaks in earthworm cells compared to the control. Soil microbial community function and structure were evaluated by means of community level physiological profiling and phospholipid fatty acid analyses. The effects exerted by the biofumigants on the microbial community were the most pronounced within the first 14 days after application. Carbon substrate utilisation was most affected by the oilseed radish treatment and microbial community structure by the mustard treatment.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Aporrectodea icterica (Savigny 1826)

Earthworms play a major role in soil dynamics acting as modifiers of properties and soil characteristics. Although population genetics is a promising approach to get a better understanding of their ecology, the use of molecular tools in earthworm studies is still scarce. Here, we developed and analyzed seven microsatellite loci for Aporrectodea icterica, a common endogeic species of most temperate natural and agricultural soils, with the aim to investigate its dispersal capacity in further researches. Although sequences of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) showed the existence of two mitochondrial lineages within the species, with a mean divergence between them of 10%, microsatellite data proved that these two COI lineages are interbreeding and form part of a single species.     

聚丙烯酰胺对蚯蚓的毒性效应

聚丙烯酰胺作为全球应用最广泛,用量最大的水处理剂,而其排放到环境中可能会对生态环境形成潜在的威胁。该研究在人工土壤条件下,通过急性和亚急性暴露试验研究了聚丙烯酰胺和丙烯酰胺对赤子爱胜蚓存活、生长和繁殖的影响,旨在评价聚丙烯酰胺和丙烯酰胺对蚯蚓的毒性效应。结果表明,聚丙烯酰胺和丙烯酰胺对蚯蚓的半致死剂量分别为大于2000和164.01?mg/kg,聚丙烯酰胺比丙烯酰胺毒性低;在急性和亚急性毒性暴露期内,聚丙烯酰胺对蚯蚓的存活和生长无显著影响;而当丙烯酰胺浓度大于100?mg/kg时即对蚯蚓的存活和生长产生显著的影响（P＜0.05）。聚丙烯酰胺和丙烯酰胺均对蚯蚓的繁殖能力有非常显著的影响（P＜0.05）。因此残留于污泥中的聚丙烯酰胺对环境有一定的潜在风险。     

Moisture preferences,growth and reproduction of the compost worm Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta)

Summary Although moisture requirements of Eisenia fetida are considered to be generally known, very few in-depth studies have been performed. The moisture preferences of juveniles as well as adults of this species were determined in moisture towers containing cow manure with a particle size bigger than 500 and smaller than 1000 m and an organic matter content of 54%. The clitellate worms showed a wider preference range than the juveniles but deposited most of their cocoons within the narrow range of 65%–70% moisture — a moisture range preferred by 80% of the juveniles. Growth studies of newly hatched worms at various moisture levels over a period of 90 days showed that growth rate and final biomass were influenced by moisture availability with a very low rate of growth at low as well as at high moisture levels. The change in biomass of clitellate specimens as well as their consecutively produced cocoons were monitored at different moisture levels. A clear relationship between mass of cocoons and biomass of the producing worms was established at presumably favourable moisture conditions. Furthermore, the relation between cocoon mass and the production rate of cocoons was also determined, which showed that cocoon mass increased concomitantly with increase in cocoon production. The study also showed that clitellum development was increased at moisture levels above 64%. The onset of cocoon production was, however, earliest at slightly lower moisture levels, from which it is concluded that the optimal moisture level for growth and development of clitella are not necessarily optimal for the production of cocoons.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. M.S. Ghilarov     

Earthworms as seedling predators: Importance of seeds and seedlings for earthworm nutrition

Anecic earthworms have been shown to collect, concentrate and bury seeds in their burrows. Moreover, recent studies suggest that earthworms function as granivores and seedling herbivores thereby directly impacting plant community assembly. However, this has not been proven unequivocally. Further, it remains unclear if earthworms benefit from seed ingestion, i.e., if they assimilate seed carbon. We set up a series of three laboratory experiments in order to test the following hypotheses: (1) anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L.) not only ingest seeds but also seedlings, (2) ingestion of seedlings is lower than that of seeds due to a ‘size refuge’ of seedlings (i.e., they are too big to be swallowed), and (3) seeds and seedlings contribute to earthworm nutrition. L. terrestris readily consumed legume seedlings in the radicle stage, whereas legume seeds and seedlings in the cotyledon stage, and grass seeds and seedlings in the radicle and cotyledon stage were ingested in similar but lower amounts. Importantly, ingestion of seedlings, in contrast to seeds, was lethal for all plant species. Moreover, earthworm weight change varied with the functional identity and vitality of seeds and natural ¹⁵N signatures in earthworm body tissue underlined the importance of seedlings for earthworm nutrition. The results indicate that the anecic earthworm L. terrestris indeed functions as a granivore and seedling herbivore. The selectivity in seedling ingestion points at the potential of direct earthworm effects on plant community assembly. Further, seeds and seedlings most likely contribute significantly to earthworm nutrition potentially explaining the collection and concentration of seeds by L. terrestris in its middens and burrows; however, the present results call for experiments under more natural conditions.     

Earthworms (Millsonia anomala, Megascolecidae) do not increase rice growth through enhanced nitrogen mineralization

Earthworms have been shown to increase plant growth in 75% of the experiments that have compared plant growth in their presence and absence. However, the relative importance of the different mechanisms advanced to explain such a stimulatory effect has never been tested. In a laboratory experiment, we observed increased growth of rice plants in the presence of earthworms (Millsonia anomala, Megascolecidae) and demonstrated that enhanced nitrogen release (generally considered as the principal mechanism involved in earthworm positive effect on plants) was not responsible for this result: earthworms had the same stimulatory effect on plant growth (+20%) irrespective of whether the soil (provided with different amounts of mineral-N fertilizer) was either N-limited or N-saturated. We discuss alternative explanations for the observed variations in rice production.