The document explores the ecological significance of earthworms, detailing their contributions to soil fertility through the decomposition of organic matter and the production of vermicompost. It outlines the classification, anatomy, life cycle, and reproduction of various earthworm species, particularly focusing on different ecological categories and feeding behaviors. The research highlights the crucial role of earthworms in agricultural practices and soil health, emphasizing their use in vermicomposting and the biodiversity they contribute to soil ecosystems.

1. Dr Rashi Miglani
Laboratory of Alternative Protocols in Zoology &
Biotechnology Research Lab
Department of Zoology
D.S.B Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital
Email: miglani.r5094@gmail.com

2. Earthworms belong to
the class Oligochaeta

3. Earthworms
 Earthworms are the “intestine of the earth” said Aristotle they decompose organic matter like plants
leaving decaying fruits and soil also (Bhadauria and Sexana, 2010).
 The soil fertility increases with an increase in the nutrients, proper aeration, and water-holding capacity,
along with these factors microbial activities also have a huge impact on the soil.
 Earthworms are delivering natural services to human beings from ancient times to nowadays by
providing worm manure (vermicast) and vermiwash which positively affects soil fertility and crop
improvement.
 Earthworms constitute a large part of biomass (living bodies) inhabiting soil. They constitute 80% of the
biomass.
 Earthworm feeds on surface decaying organic matter like plant leaf, fruit wastes, and other
biodegradable wastes. They consume waste and convert it into humus-like products like
vermicompost (manure).

4.  The first earthworm named by Linnaeus in 1758 was Lumbricus terrestris.
 The next species of earthworm discovered was Eisenia fetida described by Savigny (1826) and Cuvier (1824)
 Earthworms are found over the globe except in snowy and very hot regions because earthworms are very
temperature sensitive however they have diverse habitats where nutrient-rich organic matter is easily available
like the garden, paddy fields, and places rich in moisture contents of nearly 55 to 60% (Gupta et al., 2016).
 As the earthworm tunnels through the soil, it excretes mucus from its body. This mucus reacts with the soil of
the tunnel walls and forms a type of cement which makes the tunnel walls stable so that the tunnel can be
reused.
 A total of 5,738 species/subspecies (5,406 species and 332 unique subspecies; belonging to 23 families
(including one non-crassiclitellate family: Moniligastridae) are currently recognized worldwide (Misirlioğlu et
al., 2022).
 Currently 425 earthworm species and subspecies belonging to 10 families and 67 genera are recorded
from India (Narayanan et al., 2019).
 A total of 52 species belong to 20 genera and eight families have been reported from Uttarakhand
(Miglani et al., 2022)
Mucus

5.  The earthworms are long, with a cylindrical elongated body, compressed at both ends, the body of earthworms is
covered with a soft thin pellicle. The pellicles of earthworms are transparent and temperature-sensitive.
 Body divided metamerically into 80 to 100 segments.
 Earthworms are hermaphrodites mean male and female reproductive organs found in single organisms.
 Sexual maturity attains at the age of 6 weeks. When environmental conditions are favorable a pair of earthworms
can produce more than 100 cocoons in 6 weeks to 6 months (Ismail, 1997)..
Clitellum
Prostomium (tongue-like lobe)
Peristomium (contains the mouth)
Segments
Setae
Genital Pores
Ventral View Dorsal View
External Morphology of Earthworm (Miglani et al., 2022)

6. Earthworm Anatomy

7. Internal Morphology of Earthworm Lumbricus sp. (Udo M Savalli, 2022)

8. Ecological and feeding niche-based earthworm distribution (Kamboj et al., 2021)

9. Based on the ecological adaptations firstly divided into two categories
microdrilli and megadrilli. Out of total 3627 earthworm species, 280 are
microdrilli, these are aquatic species and the rest comes under species
megadrilli. Further megadrilli can be classified into three subgroups
depending on the inhabiting layer of the soil.
Epigeic earthworms (e.g. Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx
excavatus etc.): 1. These surface feeder detritivorous worms that feed on
surface debris, decaying organic wastes like crop residues, decaying organic
wastes, leaf-litters, plant roots, and animal dung and convert them into
vermicast. 2. Epigeic earthworms are small in size, they are 1 to 18 cm in
length. 3. Epigeic earthworms live in the upper soil layer and do not build
burrows.
Endogeic species (e.g. Allolobophora chlorotica, Apporectodea icterica,
Murchieona muldali, Octolasion cyaneum and Octolasion lacteum): 1.
These are soil-inhabiting organisms they are not surface dwellers, live
beneath the topsoil. 2. The body size of the endogeic species is 2.5 to 30 cm
in length. 3. These earthworms are not much suitable for vermicomposting
but good for improving soil structure. The fecundity rate is low as compared
to epigeic. Life span is relatively longer as compared to epigeic earthworms.
Classification of earthworms based on their ecological adaptation (Kamboj et al., 2021)

10. Anecic (e.g. Aporrectodea longa, Aporrectodea nocturna, Lumbricus friendi and Lumbricus terrestris): 1. Anecic
earthworms live in the deeper part of the soil in vertical burrows. 2. They live in the soil at the depth of 3 meter. Anecic
earthworms make vertical burrows about 2 cm in diameter. They are the longest species category because anecic
earthworm is about 3cm up to 20 cm long. 3. Anecic earthworms help in the mixing of the organic nutrients in the soil and
enhance the soil texture (paedogenesis). 4. Anecic earthworms come out from their burrows at night and move to soil
surface and where they eat decaying organic organic matter with some part of soil. 5. This species of earthworm is not
suitable for vermiculture because of the low decomposition efficacy of organic matter, low fecundity but anecic
earthworm have a longer life span as compared to epigeic and endogeic earthworms..
Classification of earthworms’ based on the feeding behavior (Kamboj et al., 2021)
Geophagous Detritivores
Geophagus earthworm eat soil Detritivorous feed on decaying organic
waste
They live beneath the soil in the horizontal
burrow
Feed on plant litters, decaying vegetables,
fruits, and plant roots, cattle dungs at the
soil surface and near the soil surface
Endogeic species are geophagus also
called humus consumers
They are humus former, convert the
organic matter into the vermicompost
They eat soil with some part of organic
waste
Epigeic is the detritivorous surface feeder
of earthworms.

11. Earthworm Cast-Types
Faecal-like mass casts
Granular pellet casts
Finger-like turret cast
Pellet cast, mass cast and turret
cast all played a synergistic role in
Soil fertility
Earthworm casts had 10-20 times
more microbial activities than the
parent organic material ingested
by the earthworms
Different Cast types of Earthworms (Miglani et al., 2022)

12. Copulation and Reproductive system of Earthworms
Mating of Eisenia fetida (Miglani et al.,
2023)

13. Cocoons of Eisenia fetida showing the emergence of an
Earthworm
(Miglani et al., 2022)
Cocoons
It is the structure in which numerous eggs,
capsulated or un-capsulated are enclosed within a
common capsule or shell which in turn is secreted by
the clitellum. The initial color of the cocoon is pearl
yellow then changes into brown at the time of
hatchling. The number of fertilized ova in each
cocoon ranges from 1 to 20 in case of earthworms
belonging to lumbricid family (Stepehnson, 1987)
and often only 1 to 2 survive and hatch further
(Edwards and Lofty, 1972; Sharma et al., 2005).

14. Juvenile or Hatchling
When hatched the juveniles measure an average of 0.8-1.5mm in length and weigh around 7 mg. The length of the
juvenile gradually increases to about 4 cm weighing 150 mg (Ismail, 1997).
Aclitellate Worms
The young worm prior to the development of clitellum is termed an aclitellate. The worms at this stage are very
active and their weight ranges from 150 mg to 450 mg (Edward et al., 1977; Ismail, 1997).
Clitellate or Adults Worms
Clitellates are mature worms showing reproductive potential. At this stage, their color darkens due to the
pigmentation of epithelial cells (Ismail, 1997).

15. Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Clitellata
Order: Opisthopora
Suborder: Lumbricina
Family: Megascolecidae
Genus:
Species:
Amynthas
Kinberg, 1867
alexandri
Amynthas alexandri
Amynthas is a genus of earthworms in the family Megascolecidae and is
exotic.
They are known as jumping worms, snake worms, or crazy worms
because of their erratic thrashing behaviour when disturbed.
Its original home is believed to be Southeast Asia.
Colour is brownish, dark at dorsum; length: 132–169 mm; diameter 5–6
mm and segments 128–144.
The worms reach maturity in 60 days, which allows them to have two
hatches per year

16. Life Cycle of Amynthas alexandri (Bisht, 1992)
Cocoon or egg
case
Adult Worm
The earthworm life cycle, like many others, starts with an egg. Within the egg, a young
earthworm develops until it is ready to hatch. The egg is encased in an egg casing called a
cocoon. The number of eggs within one cocoon can vary between species, ranging between
1 and 20 from earthworm species in the family Lumbricidae (but most species have just 1).
Tiny, white thread-
like worms are
called Hatchlings
Juvenile:
Grows and
Develop
Color (if
pigmented
)

17. Life Cycle of Earthworms (Bisht, 1992)

18. Eisenia fetida
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Clitellata
Order: Opisthopora
Family: Lumbricidae
Genus: Eisenia
Species: Fetida
 Eisenia fetida, is also known as manure worm, redworm, brandling
worm, panfish worm, trout worm, tiger worm, red wiggler worm,
etc.
 These worms thrive in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure.
 Eisenia fetida worms are native to Europe but have been introduced
(both intentionally and unintentionally) to every other continent
except Antarctica.
 Eisenia fetida is used for vermicomposting of both domestic and
industrial organic waste.
 Cocoons are lemon-shaped and pale yellow at first, becoming more
brownish as the worms inside become mature.

19. Life Cycle of Red Wriggler, Eisenia fetida (Venter & Reinecke 1988)

20. Earthworm Perionyx excavatus is an epigeic earthworm species
requiring an adequate amount of suitable organic matter and high
moisture contents for proper growth and reproduction.
The earthworm (P. excavatus) is used in vermicompost preparation,
organic agriculture and as feed for chicken, pig, and fish species.
The earthworm is an excellent source of high-quality animal protein,
essential amino acids, and other nutrients including fats, vitamins,
and minerals.
The weight of earthworm P. excavatus was achieved better when
vegetable scrap was used as a food source followed by a chopped
banana plant trunk
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Clitellata
Order: Opisthopora
Suborder: Lumbricina
Family: Megascolecidae
Genus: Perionyx
Species: P. excavatus
Perionyx excavatus

21. Life Cycle of Perionyx excavates (Bae et al., 2020)

22. Amynthas gracilis
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Clitellata
Subclass: Oligochaeta
Order: Haplotaxida
Family: Megascolecidae
Genus: Amynthas
Species: gracilis (Kinberg,
1867)
Earthworm, Amynthas gracilis are also called Jumping worms.
The Colour of the worm is brown and the ecological Category is epi-
endogeic.
The habitat of Amynthas gracilis is cropland and forest.
The exotic earthworm Amynthas gracilis (native to Taiwan), inhabit
banana plantations.

23. Vermiculture and Vermicomposting Material
 Vermicomposting is a mesophilic process and should be maintained up to 32°C with a moisture
content of 60-80%.
 Earthworms break down organic matter and leave behind castings that are exceptionally valuable
fertilizers.
 Vermicompost and vermiwash are well known to get better soil health and fertility as they add
major and micronutrients, organic matter, and plant growth-promoting substances besides
improving soil construction.
 Addition of the vermicomposts and vermiwash provides much-needed food for the
microorganisms in the soil thereby stimulating their activities that is necessary for a soil to be fit
for supporting good crop growth.

24. Types of Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting comprises two methods:
•Bed Method: This is an easy method in which beds of organic matter are prepared.
•Pit Method: In this method, the organic matter is collected in cemented pits. However, this method
is not prominent as it involves problems of poor aeration and waterlogging
Bed Method Pit Method

25. The methodology of vermicomposting various categories of organic waste materials (Singh et al., 2020)

26. Requirement for Bedding Materials
• Water.
• Cow dung.
• Thatch Roof.
• Soil or Sand.
• Gunny bags.
• Earthworms.
• Weed biomass
• A large bin (plastic or cemented tank).
• Dry straw and leaves collected from paddy fields.
• Biodegradable wastes collected from fields and kitchen.
Selection of Suitable and dominant earthworm species:
•Eisenia fetida (Europe), the red wiggler or tiger worm. Closely related to Eisenia andrei, which is
also usable.
•Eisenia hortensis (Europe), European nightcrawlers, prefers high C:N material.
•Eudrilus eugeniae (West Africa), African Nightcrawlers. Useful in the tropics.
•Perionyx excavatus (South and East Asia), blue worms. May be used in the tropics and subtropics.
•Lampito mauritii (Southern Asia), used locally.

27. Predators, pathogens and parasites of Earthworms
Earthworms are food for many animals, most people will have seen a
bird tugging an earthworm from the ground, or even gulls drumming
their feet to bring earthworms up to the surface.
Earthworms are also a major food source for moles, badgers,
hedgehogs and foxes but there are many smaller animals that feed on
earthworms.
The young stage or larva of a fly is called a maggot, and some of these
are predators or parasites of earthworms.
Some beetles are predators of earthworms, especially larger ground
beetles (Carabidae) and rove beetles (Staphylindae) such as the devil’s
coach horse (Ocypus olens).
Centipedes are also known predators of earthworms and although it
may seem unlikely there are even reports of spiders eating earthworms.
Leeches are mostly known for drinking blood, but some are predators
and eat smaller animals whole, including earthworms. Leeches are
actually closely related to earthworms so it is a case of worm eat worm.

28. SOME INTERESTING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EARTHWORMS

29. Earthworms are
unglorified workers of
soil, constantly balancing
global ecosystems.
Dr. Rashi Miglani
Thank you