Earthworm, a non-conventional protein source with 520–530 g protein kg−1 on dry matter basis was used in three forms viz. (i) whole earthworm (ii) earthworm custard, and (iii) pelleted earthworm diet to prepare three iso-nitrogenous (500 g protein kg−1 diet) and iso-caloric (17.0 MJ kg−1 diet) experimental diets. The formulated diets were fed ad libitum twice daily to Labeo rohita advanced fry ...

Endogeic earthworm activities can strongly influence soil structure. Although soil microorganisms are thought to be central to earthworm-facilitated aggregate formation, how and where within the soil matrix earthworm-facilitated influences on soil microbial communities are manifested is poorly defined. In this study we used 16S rRNA gene-based terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP)...

When soluble earthworm cuticle collagen molecules are subjected to the shearing forces of a flow birefringence instrument, they are broken into particles approximately half the original size. The broken particles resemble vertebrate tropocollagen molecules in their hydrodynamic properties, in levorotatory powers, and in their appearance in the electron microscope. Most significantly, the broken...

The important role of earthworms in the biomagnification of heavy metals in terrestrial ecosystems is widely recognised. Differences in earthworm biomass between sites is mostly not accounted for in ecological risk assessment. These differences may be large depending on soil properties and pollution status. A survey of earthworm biomass and colonisation rate was carried out on dredged sediment-...

The invasion of exotic earthworms in previously earthworm-free areas eliminates the forest litter layer, alters the carbon and nitrogen cycles and reduces native plant cover. Humans are the principal agents of invasive earthworm dispersal, spreading worms both inadvertently through the horticulture industry, logging and road travel, and voluntarily through composting and the disposal of earthwo...

Snakehead fish or Channa Striata is a type of freshwater that has high economic value in Indonesia. Aims this study was to evaluating the effect adding different protein sources snakehead feed on growth, blood glucose levels, and albumin content (Channa Striata). This consisted 3 treatments each given 6 replications. Treatment A: Use made from nilem flour. B: golden snail flour C: earthworm The...

Earthworm is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine. Previous studies on earthworm extracts have demonstrated its ability to improve haemostatic disorders[5] and stimulate wound healing[6]. In addition, higher concentrations of earthworm extracts are nontoxic and have excellent antiinflammatory and antipyretic properties[7]. Further researches have revealed the potential for using earthwor...

The diet of earthworms includes soil organic matter, soil microbes and other microfauna, but the relative contribution of these dietary components to earthworm nutrition is not well known. Analysis of fatty acid (FA) profiles can reveal trophic relationships in soil food webs, leading to a better understanding of the energy and nutrient flows from microbiota to earthworms. The objective of this...

[1] To investigate the control of earthworm populations on leaf litter biopolymer decay dynamics, we analyzed the residues of Liriodendron tulipifera L. (tulip poplar) leaves after six months of decay, comparing open surface litter and litter bag experiments among forests with different native and invasive earthworm abundances. Six plots were established in successional tulip poplar forests whe...