Earthworms

[Stefan-A]

SpringerLink - Journal Article

Cytotoxic activity in the coelomic fluid of the annelid Eisenia foetida




Summary

1. The annelidEisenia foetida not only causes hemolysis of red blood cells of several vertebrate species, but also has a toxic effect on a variety of cell types, such as chicken fibroblasts, guineapig polymorphonuclear leukocytes and insect hemocytes. However, it has not influence on the vitality of the coelomocytes ofLumbricus terrestris and other lumbricides, nor on the hemocytes of the snailHelix pomatia, the musselsAnodonta cygnea andUnio tumidus, free cells of the turbellarianEuplanaria sp. or wholeRhabditis oxycerca (nematode) and the protozoonsParamaecium caudatum and an amoeba of theProteus-type.

2. By electrofocussing the hemolytic activity of pooled coelomic fluid was separated into 7 hemolytic bands. Three of them are cytotoxic.

3. The cytotoxic effect is a result of the destruction of the cell membrane, as shown by measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal action of the coelomic fluid ofE. foetida against a broad spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria was tested. An antibacterial activity could be observed only againstProteus vulgaris andBacillus megaterium.

4. It was noted that the so-calledEisenia foetida-factor acts on an antigenic structure at the cell surface when anti-sheep-E-antibody was used under competitive conditions. The binding between theEisenia foetida-factor and this membrane structure is relatively strong as it cannot be removed by subsequent treatment with anti-sheep-E-antibody or 2 M KCl.

[gregmonsta]

I mistakingly fed red wrigglers once ... they were regurgitated within 2 minutes and refused at any following offering.

[Stefan-A]

I mistakingly fed red wrigglers once ... they were regurgitated within 2 minutes and refused at any following offering.

I did it once as well. I accidentally gave one of them along with a bunch of Lumbricus worms. The snake regurgitated within about 2 minutes and promptly swallowed the slimy pile again.

[Aundrea]

Which are bigger? European night crawlers or the african ones?

[Zephyr]

Which are bigger? European night crawlers or the african ones?

I've yet to see a european night crawler, but from what I've found European night crawlers are bigger.

[Zephyr]

So wait...
Do the red wrigglers produce the toxin under stressed conditions or from their diet?

I can see why they'd be high in toxins under standard compost conditions; high humidity, low surface area, high soil acidity, varying proportions of citruses, avocado, all that "nasty" stuff.

[reptile3]

interesting... see I am learning. Great articles Stefan

[ATNGUY]

So anyone ever collected earthworms with a little electricity? Quick and easy!

[reptile3]

So anyone ever collected earthworms with a little electricity? Quick and easy!

How do you do that?? wondering I may try that!!!

[Lori P]

Enlighten us, Andrew! :-)