Comparative investigation of the reproductive potential of local populations of the compost worm Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1926) (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae)
1993
Kodolova, O.P. | Striganova, B.R. | Sidorova, T.N.
The evaluation of reproductive parameters was carried out on worms Eisenia fetida from 16 local populations collected in different geographical regions of Russia and adjacent territories. Compost worms were sampled from vermicultures and wild aggregations inhabiting different kinds of dung and municipal wastes. Rates of the cocoon production, number of embryos per cocoon, embryonal survival, mass and size of cocoons and longevity of embryonal development were used for the comparative investigations. Essential differences in rates and rhythms of the cocoon formation and embryonal mortality were found in different populations. As a result the hatching production per adult worms was found to differ to 6-7 times. A few local populations with the reproduction characteristics comparable with those of the "red Californian worm" in vermicultures were revealed
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