Eisenia foetida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Eisenia fetida | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Class: | Clitellata |
| Order: | Haplotaxida |
| Family: | Lumbricidae |
| Genus: | Eisenia |
| Species: | E. fetida |
| Binomial name | |
| Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) [1] |
|
Eisenia fetida, known under various common names, including redworms, brandling worms, tiger worms and red wiggler worms, are a species of earthworm adapted to decaying organic material. They thrive in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure; they are epigeal. They are rarely found in soil, instead like Lumbricus rubellus they prefer conditions where other worms cannot survive. They are used for vermicomposting.
Contents |
[edit] Odour
When roughly handled, they exude a pungent liquid, thus the specific name fetida meaning fetid. This is presumably a defense.
[edit] Subspecies
They are closely related to Eisenia andrei, also referred to as E. fetida andrei.[which?] The only simple way of distinguishing them is that E. fetida is lighter in colour. Molecular analyses have confirmed their identity as separate species and breeding experiments have shown that they do not produce hybrids.
[edit] Reproduction
Like other earthworms, Eisenia fetida are hermaphroditic. Rather than laying eggs directly, they secrete cocoons which contain several eggs. These cocoons are lemon-shaped and begin as pale yellow when first laid, and become more brownish as they mature. The cocoons are clearly visible to the naked eye.[2]
[edit] Relation to humans
They are widely sold by weight for use in vermiculture owing to their remarkable ability to process organic matter into fertile compost. They are also sold as bait.
[edit] References
- ^ "Eisenia fetida". Fauna Europaea. 2004. http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=178401.
- ^ http://vermontworms.com/red-wiggler-eggs-compost-worm-eggs/
 |
This annelid-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
