Search results for "LUMBRICIDAE"
showing 10 items of 12 documents
Biomarker responses of the earthworm Aporrectodea tuberculata to copper and zinc exposure: differences between populations with and without earlier m…
2003
Biomarkers in the earthworm Aporrectodea tuberculata (Eisen) were measured to find out their possible induction under Cu and Zn exposure and differences in the responses between two populations with different exposure history. The biomarkers applied were concentration of metallothioneins (MT), and cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) monooxygenase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities. These were measured from earthworms sampled at three distances from a steel smelter in Finland and from the individuals from two populations, one with and another without earlier metal exposure, exposed to three combined Cu/Zn concentrations in the laboratory. In the field, MT concentration, and cytochrome CYP1…
Capacity of various organic residues to support adequate earthworm biomass for vermicomposting
1986
We tested the potential of different kinds and combinations of wastes to support the biomass ofEisenia fetida (Sav.) capable of processing a given amount of waste in a period of ca. 1 month. Mixed miscellaneous wastes and activated sewage sludge mixed with or embedded in sieved pine bark showed capacity to maintain the required biomass for a long period. Wastes were converted into odourless castings of good physical structure, provided that a sufficient population was present from the beginning and fresh waste was added regularly. A horizontally working “worm bed compost” was designed instead of the “load-on-top” principle.
rDNA (18S-28S and 5S) co-localization and linkage between ribosomal genes and (TTAGGG)n telomeric sequence in the earthworm Octodrilus complanatus (A…
2002
Spermatogonial and metaphase I chromosomes of the lumbricid earthworm Octodrilus complanatus (Annelida: Oligochaeta) were examined using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with three repetitive DNA probes-5S rDNA, 18S-26S rDNA, and (TTAGGG)(n). Single-color FISH consistently mapped one chromosome pair per spread using either 5S rDNA or 18S-26S rDNA as probes. Simultaneous (18S-26S)-5S and (18S-26S)-(TTAGGG)(n) FISH demonstrated that repeated units of the two ribosomal families were overlapped and closely associated with telomeric sequences.
Does metal contamination affect clonal diversity of the parthenogenetic earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra?
2007
Clonal diversity of the parthenogenetic earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra was studied in three metal contamination gradients in Finland. Metal concentrations in soils (both total and bioavailable fractions) and in earthworm tissues were analysed at each sampling site. Allozyme electrophoresis was used to determine clonal diversity and several genetic diversity measures were used to evaluate differences between populations at metal contaminated and uncontaminated sites. Cu and Zn in the soils and in the earthworms increased with decreasing distance from the emission sources in all areas. Metal contamination appeared to affect clonal diversity of D. octaedra only slightly, since clonal diversity…
Karyotype analysis, nucleolus organizer regions and C-banding pattern of Eisenia foetida (oligochaeta, lumbricidae)
1991
The diploid number 2n=22 and haploid number n=11 found for Eisenia foetida from Palermo, Italy, confirm earlier data for this species from other localities. Analyses of silver-stained and C-banded mitotic and meiotic chromosomes suggest that a single chromosome pair has active NORs which correspond with C-positive regions. The occurrence of nucleolus activity during spermatogenesis of E. foetida is ascertained.
Utilization of microbial abundance and diversity as indicators of the origin of soil aggregates produced by earthworms
2013
This study aimed at testing the capability of microbial community structure and abundance to be used as bioindicators of the origin of earthworm cast aggregates. Compact surface casts produced by Amynthas khami and surrounding aggregates lacking visible signs of biological activity (control) were left to disaggregate by natural rainfall and separated into four size classes (5-2, 2-0.5, 0.5-0.25 and <0.25 mm). The genetic structure and the abundance of the bacterial and fungal communities were characterized using B- and F-ARISA fingerprinting approach and quantitative PCR directly from DNA extracted from soil. Bacteria and to a lesser extent fungi were more abundant in casts than in control …
Responses of co-occurring populations of Dendrobaena octaedra (Lumbricidae) and Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) to soil pH, moisture and resou…
2000
Summary Dendrobaena octaedra (Lumbricidae) and Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) are the two most dominating soil invertebrates in terms of biomass in boreal coniferous forest soils. A microcosm experiment was set up in order to study the influence of pH, moisture and resource addition on D. octaedra and C. sphagnetorum when both species are simultaneously present. Two kinds of coniferous forest humus were used as substrate, pine stand humus (pH 4.2), and spruce stand humus (pH 4.6); in the third treatment the pine stand humus was adjusted with slaked lime (CaOH 2 ) to the same initial pH as the spruce stand humus. Each substrate was adjusted to water contents of 25%, 42.5% and 60% of …
Bioaccumulation of organochlorine compounds in earthworms
1992
Abstract Bioaccumulation of chlorophenolic wood preservatives 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2346-TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PeCP) and their metabolites in earthworms were studied in the laboratory, and by taking worm samples from the contaminated soil of a sawmill which was abandoned 28 yr ago. In two laboratory experiments 2346-TeCP (containing PeCP as impurity) was added into the soil, and samples were taken at certain intervals both from the soil and the earthworms ( Lumbricus rubellus in experiment 1 and Aporrectodea caliginosa tuberculata in experiment 2). Considerable amounts of chlorophenols were found in field samples. Soil concentrations ranged from 157 to 338 μg 2346-TeCP g −1 dry …
Growth increase of birch seedlings under the influence of earthworms—a laboratory study
1992
The effects of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffm.) on net production and nitrogen content of birch seedlings were studied in laboratory microcosms. Coniferous forest floors with litter, humus and mineral horizons were simulated in transparent plastic cylinders. The materials were partially sterilized by microwaving, and re-inoculated with microflora and -fauna. A young (9 cm) birch seedling (Betula pendula Roth) was planted in each container. Earthworms were added to half of the replicates. The microcosms, through which a constant air flow was maintained, were incubated in a climate chamber. After two growth periods, leaf and stem biomasses of birch in treatments with earthworms incre…
Effects of endogeic earthworms on soil processes and plant growth in coniferous forest soil
1992
The effects of the endogeic earthworm, Aporrectodea caliginosa tuberculata (Eisen) on decomposition processes in moist coniferous forest soil were studied in the laboratory. The pH preference of this species and its effects on microbial activity, N and P mineralization, and the growth of birch seedlings were determined in separate pot experiments. Homogenized humus from a spruce stand was shown to be too acid for A. c. tuberculata. After liming, the earthworms thrived in the humus and their biomass increased (at pH above 4.8). In later experiments in which the humus was limed, the earthworms positively influenced the biological activity in humus and also increased the rate of N mineralizati…