Atrazine and metolachlor were more strongly retained on earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.) castings than on soil, suggesting that earthworm castings at the surface or at depth can reduce herbicide movement in soil. Herbicide sorption by castings was related to the food source available to the earthworms. Both atrazine and metolachlor sorption increased with increasing organic carbon (C) conten...

The effect of temperature on the refractory period in nerve fibres is of the same magnitude as its effect on the duration of the action potential (Tasaki, 1949) or as the effect of temperature on the duration of the falling phase of the spike (Adrian, 1921). Temperature coefficients (Q10) as high as 4 have been calculated for the refractory period in single fibres of the frog by Schoepfle & Erl...

Earthworms play an active role in soil nitrogen cycling. Past research has shown that earthworm castings are enriched in NO3 ÿ and NH4 + and show a high potential for microbial nitri®cation and denitri®cation. Little information is available on microbial populations and N transformations in the 1±2 mm thick soil lining of earthworm burrows (the drilosphere). We measured nitrifying bacterial pop...

Metallothioneins (MTs) are multifunctional proteins occurring throughout the animal kingdom. While the expression and transcriptional regulation of MTs is well-studied in vertebrates, the mechanism of MT activation is still unknown for most invertebrates. Therefore, we examined wMT-2 gene regulation and expression patterns in Lumbricus rubellus and L. terrestris. Transcription levels, the occup...

The presence of earthworms in soil contaminated with petroleum products (PPs) increase the rate decomposition. use more than one animal species simultaneously remediation could accelerate process. However, effects may be different when long-term aging contamination exists during which toxic by-products can formed. This study evaluated effect PPs (petrol, diesel fuel, and used engine oil) carrie...