FOUR NEW EARTHWORM GENERA (ANNELIDA: OLIGOCHAETA) FROM NIGERIA

The taxonomy of earthworms in Nigeria has been mainly on the family Eudrilidae. The present work describes four new earthworm genera belonging to earthworm families other than the Eudrilidae. Earthworm samples were collected using the digging and hand-sorting method. The earthworms are preserved in formoacetic alcohol. The four taxa described here include Imekodrilus hexagastricus (family Moniligastridae), Adodrilus stephana (family Megascolecidae), Parnematogenia eyinwaensis and Ekitidrilus alabataensis(family Ocnerodrilidae). Imekodrilus hexagastricus from Imeko, Ogun State has six gizzards, characteristic of members of the family Moniligastridae. The genus Adodrilus is compared with 3 earthworm genera, Diporochaeta, Plutellus and Perionyx. The genus and species lacks gizzards. The calciferous glands (a pair) are present, with left and right united in segment X. Four individuals of P. eyinwaensis were collected from Eyinwa, Odogbolu Local Government Area of OgunState. The species is here described as having same position and number of calciferous glands, testes and male pores as the genus Nematogenia. Also described here is E. alabataensis, which was collected from both Ado-Ekiti and Alabata, south west Nigeria. These four genera and species are here presented as new taxa of earthworms from southwest Nigeria.ª¤

Growth performance of Alma millsoni fed with brewers dried grain (BDG) and coconut husk

The growth performance of Alma millsoni cultured on 'brewers dried grain and coconut husk was studied in a completely randomized design with three treatments (Control, brewer’s dried grain and coconut husk) and three replicates. Earthworms were cultured in plastic bins of 60 x 30 x 30 cm. While coconut husk was used as the bedding, the earthworms were fed with brewer’s dried grain, coconut husk or no extra feed other than the bedding. Growth performance of the earthworms was measured every week. The proximate composition of the earthworm was conducted using standard procedures. The mean weight of the earthworms under the three different treatments was significantly different (P < 0.05); with earthworms fed brewers dried grain recording the highest mean weight (1.03 ± 0.50). No significant difference was observed in the percentage crude fibre, crude protein and moisture between A. millsoni from different treatments; whereas a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the percentage crude fat and ash between A. millsoni from the different treatments with A. millsoni fed brewers dried grain recording the highest percentage crude fat. Weight of worms was significantly and positively correlated to feed source (P < 0.05). The implication of this is that earthworms fed with brewers dried grain gained weight above those fed with coconut husk or the control but the weight gain observed may have been as a result of the increase in crude fat content of the earthworms since there was no difference in their crude protein content. Culturing of earthworm on either coconut husk or brewers dried grain must therefore be accompanied with a protein source

EARTHWORM CAST BIOMASS UNDER THREE MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS: IMPLICATION FOR SOIL FERTILITY

The study was conducted to determine earthworm cast biomass under three managed ecosystems, Gmelina, Cashew and Banana plantations at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and its impact on the soil physicochemical parameters. Seven, five and four plots of 3 m2 each were sampled in Gmelina, Cashew and Banana plantations respectively. Each plot was laid out in form of a grid and seven quadrats of 44 cm x 44 cm each were sampled in each plot. On-field Cast weights were determined to the nearest gram using a top loading mechanical balance and the cast biomass was calculated from these. The nutrient and mineral properties of both earthworm casts and parent soils were determined using standard methods of AOAC. The % OC (4.61), %OM (7.96), sulphate (38.37), pH (7.78), total nitrogen (0.27), Mn (0.47) and Fe (7.23) were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in the earthworm casts under Gmelina plantation compared with the cashew and banana plantations. Cu and Fe concentrations in the parent soil under Gmelina plantation were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than under cashew and banana plantations while Mg and Mn concentrations showed no significant difference. Compared with the parent soil, %OC, %OM, Mn and Fe obtained from earthworm casts were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) under all three plantations. Earthworm cast biomass under the Gmelina plantation (15483.63g/m2) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than that obtained under the cashew (13270.83g/m2) and banana (8828.13) plantations. The present results showed that earthworm activity is better supported under Gmelina than cashew and banana plantations In addition, the higher cast biomass and nutrient level in the parent soil under Gmelina plantation signifies a significantly higher nutrient level which, expectedly means that the Gmelina plantation soil will be more fertile than the soil in cashew and banana plantations.Key Words: Earthworm cast, Gmelina, Cashew, Banana, physicochemica

Comparative Microbial Analysis of Earthworm Casts Collected From Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria

A comparative assessment of the physicochemical parameters and microbial profile of three types of earthworm casts (Pellet, Mass and Turret) were determined. The total viable count (TVC), coliform counts, yeast and mould counts were determined using standard procedures. The pH ranged from 7.8 for Mass cast to 8.6 for Pellet cast. Moisture content of the casts ranged from 29.43% for pellet casts to 47.10% for turret casts. Organic matter was 1.05%, 0.72% and 0.63% for pellet, turret and mass casts respectively. TVC was 4.8 x 107cfu/g, 6.1 x 107cfu/g and 1.2 x 108cfu/g for Mass, Turret and Pellet casts respectively. Pellet cast recorded the highest coliform count (1.5 x 107) while Turret cast the least (7.3 x 106 cfu/g). Mould counts was 8.3 x 106 cfu/g for turret cast and 1.2 x 107cfu/g for pellet and mass casts. The lowest yeasts count was 1.2 x 107cfu/g in mass cast while the highest was 3.8 x 107cfu/g for pellet cast. Microbial distribution in the three casts types showed that Staphylococcus aureus is common to all Cast-types. Citrobacter spp, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Penicillium chrysogenum and S. rosei were isolated from Pellet cast only. Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium oxisporum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Penicillium oxalicum were isolated from only Turret Cast while Aspergillus terreus, Fusarium compacticum, Klebsiella aerogenes and Streptococcus feacalis were isolated from Mass Cast only. The presence of Bacillus licheniformis in Pellet Cast is an advantage plus for Pellet cast usage since this bacteria contributes to nutrient cycling and displays antifungal activities

NUTRIENT ANALYSIS OF THREE EARTHWORM CAST-TYPES COLLECTED FROM IKENNE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Three types of earthworm cast, i.e. pellet cast, turret cast and mass cast, were analysed for physicochemical characteristics, nutrient composition and compared with impact on soil fertility. The standard methods of AOAC was used to analyse the pH, moisture content, cast profile, cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Cu and Zn), anions (P, PO4, NO4, NO3, N), Organic Carbon and Organic Matter. Pellet cast recorded a significantly higher pH of 8.60ª¤¡Þ0.01 while the mean pH of 8.09ª¤¡Þ0.01 and 7.81ª¤¡Þ0.01 were obtained for turret and mass cast respectively (p&lt;0.05). On the other hand, pellet cast recorded the lowest moisture content (29.42%) compared with 45.60% and 47.19% obtained for mass cast and turret cast respectively. The % organic matter (1.05ª¤¡Þ0.02), % organic carbon (0.61ª¤¡Þ0.01), % Nitrite (0.008ª¤¡Þ0.001), % Nitrate (0.018ª¤¡Þ0.001), % Nitrogen (0.063ª¤¡Þ0.001) and % Phosphorus (0.39 ª¤¡Þ 0.001) obtained for Pellet Cast were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than those obtained for mass and turret casts. Pellet cast had higher Ca (11.04ª¤¡Þ2.80 mg/dL), Mn (113.08ª¤¡Þ38.45 mg/dL) and Zn (8.54ª¤¡Þ2.62 mg/dL) than turret (9.64ª¤¡Þ0.77, 77.0ª¤¡Þ17.02, 6.68ª¤¡Þ1.65 mg/dL) and mass cast types (4.54ª¤¡Þ0.25, 19.12ª¤¡Þ6.82, 2.04ª¤¡Þ0.70) mg/dL). This study indicated that pellet cast has poor water holding capacity whereas it has higher nutrient concentration compared with mass and turret casts. On the overall, pellet cast, mass cast and turret cast all played synergistic role in soil fertility

Effects of light colour and oscillator frequency on earthworm bioactivity

An experiment was conducted at the Zoology Laboratory of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria to evaluate the suitability of different light colours. Being generated from 15-watt, low-heat, or frequencygenerated flourescent tubes as stimulants to enhance, major cast productivity of the earthworm species Hyperiodrilus africanus. The aim was to determine if exposure to the different light colours would improve the cast productivity of the worms and show whether H. africanus would show preference for any particular light colour, in terms of mass of cast produced and rates of emigration. The earthworms were kept in cylindrical plastic containers and put in different cubicles on a wooden shelf, where they are subjected to different light colours that is, white, dark (control), green, blue, and red. Results indicated that the red light colour was the most suitable in terms of cast productivity, as casting was highest (11.96 g/worm), followed by blue (10.66 g/worm), green (9.49 g/worm), dark (7.2 g/worm) and white (4.86 g/worm), respectively. Least emigration was recorded under the control (dark) , followed by red, white, blue and green respectively, which indicated that the worms were probably more ‘comfortable’ in the dark and the red light than the other light colours tested. Results suggest that if red light is introduced to a farm, casting activities can be increased and therefore, soil fertility can be improved

NUTRIENT ANALYSIS OF THREE EARTHWORM CAST-TYPES COLLECTED FROM IKENNE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Three types of earthworm cast, i.e. pellet cast, turret cast and mass cast, were analysed for physicochemical characteristics, nutrient composition and compared with impact on soil fertility. The standard methods of AOAC was used to analyse the pH, moisture content, cast profile, cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Cu and Zn), anions (P, PO4, NO4, NO3, N), Organic Carbon and Organic Matter. Pellet cast recorded a significantly higher pH of 8.60±0.01 while the mean pH of 8.09±0.01 and 7.81±0.01 were obtained for turret and mass cast respectively (p<0.05). On the other hand, pellet cast recorded the lowest moisture content (29.42%) compared with 45.60% and 47.19% obtained for mass cast and turret cast respectively. The % organic matter (1.05±0.02), % organic carbon (0.61±0.01), % Nitrite (0.008±0.001), % Nitrate (0.018±0.001), % Nitrogen (0.063±0.001) and % Phosphorus (0.39 ± 0.001) obtained for Pellet Cast were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those obtained for mass and turret casts. Pellet cast had higher Ca (11.04±2.80 mg/dL), Mn (113.08±38.45 mg/dL) and Zn (8.54±2.62 mg/dL) than turret (9.64±0.77, 77.0±17.02, 6.68±1.65 mg/dL) and mass cast types (4.54±0.25, 19.12±6.82, 2.04±0.70) mg/dL). This study indicated that pellet cast has poor water holding capacity whereas it has higher nutrient concentration compared with mass and turret casts. On the overall, pellet cast, mass cast and turret cast all played synergistic role in soil fertility

Prospects and challenges of vermiculture practices in southwest Nigeria

The prospect of vermiculture in the south-western coast of Nigeria was studied. One hundred and two respondents were interviewed in the three coastal towns of Badagry, Epe and Igbokoda. The results show that 94% of respondents made use of earthworms as fish bait, 37% buy their worms and 57% collected by themselves. The respondents, who buy, however, noted that their suppliers do not breed the worms but search for them from marshy areas. The price value placed on the worms ranged between 0.35 and ₦3.10 per kg; while the most quoted prices were 0.35 and ₦0.80 (16.7% each). The average quoted price was ₦0.70 per kg. Forty-six percent (46%) of respondents were willing to buy earthworms if supplied to them; 49% were willing to serve as sales agents if contacted and 66.7% opined that earthworm was their choicest fishing bait. The results indicate positive expectation for vermiculture as a business venture. Vermiculture should, however, put into consideration the production of Alma millsoni and Libyodrilus violaceus, the species quoted as the most preferred and effective for fishing. Vermiculture will go a long way in solving the problem of earthworm scarcity among these people, reduce the stress put on natural populations earthworms, thus conserving the worms and also reduce damage done to the soil environment in the course of excavating for worms

Enteric bacteria and fungi of the Eudrilid earthworm Libyodrilus violaceus

The identity and multiplication of bacteria and fungi (yeasts and mould) as they pass along the alimentary tract of the earthworm Libyodrilus violaceus have been studied. The bacteria isolated included Acinetobacter sp., Alcaligans faecalis, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus ceveus, Bacillus lalerosporus, Bacillus lichenoform, Bacillus maceraus, Bacillus sp., Corynebacterium sp., Enterobacter cloacae, Erwinia salicie, Flavobacterium aquartile, Flavobacterium sp., Klebsiella sp., Micrococcus inteus, Micrococcus kristinae, Micrococcus varians, Proteus myxofasciens, Proteus rennevi, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas sp. Whereas P. vulgaris is a normal harmless inhabitant of the human intestine where it assist with digestion, it sometimes becomes pathogenic causing urinary tract infection. For now there is no information on if it undergoes similar change in the earthworms and if such a potential risk is transmissible to man. The fungi isolated included the following yeasts: Saccharomycos cerevisiae, Rhodoturula graminis, Saccharomycos sp., Candida valida, Geotrichium niger; and the following moulds: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium sp., Rhizopus sp. It is noteworthy that none of the fungi has the ability to digest melobiose, a disaccharide formed by an alpha linkage between galactose and glucose. Microbial counts increases along the alimentary track from eosophagus to rectum. Most of the microbes flourish best in an alimentary track region than in others. Thus, they tend to colonize different regions and thus minimize competitio

Cellulase Sources in the Eudrilid Earthworm, Eudrilus Eugeniae

Earthworms have been known to breakdown leaf litter to release the nutrients laden in the leaves. Their ability to breakdown leaf litter implies that they have a source of cellulose. The present work looked at these sources to establish if they were exogenous or endogenous in origin. Earthworm samples of the species Eudriluseugeniaewere fed with tissue paper as cellulose source. The resulting faecal droppings were subjected to various carbohydrate tests to confirm the final products. Some of the worms were defaunated by treating with antibiotics to ensure the cellulose source was exogenous. Survival tests were also carried out on the faunated and defaunated earthworms. The results showed by Molisch's test the presence of carbohydrate in both fresh and egested tissue paper; while Benedict test and Barfoed's test indicate that the ingested tissue paper was digested to monosaccharide level. Seliwanoff's test also confirmed that the breakdown product was the monosaccharide fructose. Result of the survival test showed a significantly higher survival rate in the faunated than the defaunated earthworms. The results also showed that cellulose is of both exogenous and endogenous source to the earthworms. It is thus proposed that in plant litter treatments introduction of earthworms should be encouraged above merely introducing microbes as the gut of the worms is here shown to support microbial activity