Journal of Environmental Biology

Regeneration ability in seventeen top soil and

sub soil earthworm species

D. Banik and P. S. Chaudhuri*

Department of Zoology, Earthworm Research Laboratory, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799 022, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: priya_1956@rediffmail.com  

Key words

Eudrilus eugeniae,

Lampito mauritii,

Perionyx excavatus,

Polypheretima elongata,

Regeneration ability

Publication Data

Paper received : 14.12.2015

Revised received : 14.03.2016

Re-revised received : 18.08.2016

Accepted : 12.09.2016

Abstract

Aim: The present study was carried out to record the regeneration ability in the top soil earthworm species inhabiting 0-15 cm soils with unpredictable environment and exposed to predator pressure and the sub soil species living below 15 cm soil depth where environment was stable with less exposure to predators.

Methodology: Out of a total of 17 laboratory acclimatized earthworm species, 12 top soil and 5 sub soil species were subjected to amputation of either anterior (5) or posterior (5) body segments or both by sterilized blade. Amputed earthworms in separate experimental groups were kept in decomposed cow dung (epigeic species) and habitat soils (for others) under laboratory conditions (temperature 26?C ? 0.22, RH 70-90%).

Results: In contrast to the sub soil earthworm species, the top soil species in generaly had the ability of regeneration of body segments. Top soil species viz., Perionyx excavatus, Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae, Octochaetona beatrix, Lampito mauritii, Glyphidrilus sp., Dichogaster sp., Drawida papillifer papillifer, Drawida assamensis, Pontoscolex corethrurus and Polypheretima elongata had the regeneration ability and of them only former seven species restored both anterior and posterior amputed segments, while rest of the species regenerated only the posterior segments.   

Interpretation: In contrast to the sub soil earthworm species viz., Eutyphoeus gammiei, E. comillahnus, Metaphire houlleti, Amynthus alexandri and Kanchuria sp., the top soil species in general were subjected to predator attacks and agricultural practices (ploughing) leading to loss of segments, and thus were equipped with the power of regeneration. 

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