WorldWideScience
 
 
2

Clostridiaceae and Enterobacteriaceae as active fermenters in earthworm gut content  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The earthworm gut provides ideal in situ conditions for ingested heterotrophic soil bacteria capable of anaerobiosis. High amounts of mucus- and plant-derived saccharides such as glucose are abundant in the earthworm alimentary canal, and high concentrations of molecular hydrogen (H2) and organic acids in the alimentary canal are indicative of ongoing fermentations. Thus, the central objective of this study was to resolve potential links between fermentations and active fermenters in gut content of the anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-based stable isotope probing, with [13C]glucose as a model substrate. Glucose consumption in anoxic gut content microcosms was rapid and yielded soluble organic compounds (acetate, butyrate, formate, lactate, propionate, succi...

2011-01-01

3

Divergence of AMP Deaminase in the Ice Worm Mesenchytraeus solifugus (Annelida, Clitellata, Enchytraeidae)  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Glacier ice worms, Mesenchytraeus solifugus and related species, are the largest glacially obligate metazoans. As one component of cold temperature adaptation, ice worms maintain atypically...Full Text Available

4

Evidence of synthesis by Lumbricus terrestris of specific substances in response to an immunization with a synthetic hapten.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Lumbricus terrestris (Annelid, Oligocheta) is capable of cellular- and humoral-specific reactions against natural antigens. Is this earthworm able to elaborate a response of antibody type against a...Full Text Available

1985-12-01

5

Heavy metals in earthworms of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Part 1. Metal contents in earthworms from long-term forest observation plots; Schwermetalle in Regenwuermern Baden-Wuerttembergs. Teil 1. Metallgehalte in Regenwuermern von Wald-Dauerbeobachtungsflaechen  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Since 1984 the Environmental Protection Agency (LfU) of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg has been investigating the heavy metal burden of earthworms from representative long-term forest observation plots. These investigations are aimed at elucidating and assessing adverse effects of pollutants on the soil biocenosis. Methods: At first only lead and cadmium were measured in the worms; in repetitive measurements over the years further metals or metalloid elements such as aluminum, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, mercury, nickel, thallium, vanadium, and zinc were added to the agenda. Results and conclusion: The frequency distribution of the metals in the earthworms was characterized statistically. For the first time state-wide background values, normal values and threshold values were established for all the elements measured. A comparable study with a similar range of parameters is known neither nationally nor internationally. Time ...

2006-08-15

6

Immunofluorescence analysis of the internal brain anatomy of Nereis diversicolor (Polychaeta, Annelida)  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Comparative analyses of neuroanatomical characters can make valuable contributions to the inference of phylogenetic relationships. Whereas investigations in this field are numerous for arthropods, in-depth studies on other protostomes are sparse. Here, we provide a survey of the internal neuroarchitecture of the brain of the aciculate ragworm Nereis diversicolor (Polychaeta, Annelida). Descriptions are based on confocal laser scanning microscope analyses of brain sections labeled with the nuclear marker DAPI and antibodies raised against FMRF-amide, serotonin, and histamine. Autofluorescence of the nervous tissue has been utilized to further elucidate the anatomical structures of the brain. The architecture of two major brain compartments, i.e., the paired mushroom bodies and the central o...

2008-01-01

7

Differences in p,p'-DDE bioaccumulation from compost and soil by the plants Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima and the earthworms Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Two plant species, Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima, and two earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris, were exposed to soil and compost with equivalent p,p'-DDE contamination. Pollutant bioconcentration was equal in plant roots in both media, but translocation was higher in C. pepo. Bioaccumulation by E. fetida was approximately 6- and 3-fold higher than that by L. terrestris in the soil and compost, respectively. For all species, p,p'-DDE uptake was significantly greater from soil than from compost; 7- to 8-fold higher for plant roots and 3- to 7-fold higher for worms. Abiotic desorption from soil was approximately twice that from the compost. When all the data are normalized for organic-carbon content of the media, the contaminant is more tightly bound by soil than compost. Although the risk associated with p,p'-DDE is higher in soil than compost, important mechanistic differences exist in contaminant binding to organic carbon in the two ...

2007-07-01

8

Formulation development and evaluation of metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension as a magnetic-targeted and polymeric-controlled drug delivery system  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A nanosuspension of magnetically tagged metronidazole was developed by the solvent displacement method coupled with ultrasonication and was evaluated for its physicochemical properties. The drug release from metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension at pH 1.2 and 7.0 shows maximum correlation coefficient for zero order and Higuchi model, respectively. The anthelmintic activity of the formulated metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension was evaluated on Indian earthworms (Pheretima poi). Metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension at a dose of 10 and 50 mg/ml shortened by 31% and 34%, respectively, the mean time to death of the earthworms when compared against a non-magnetic metronidazole suspension. Thus, the developed metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension showed potent, controlled and targeted drug action and might be a good therapeutic avenue in combating infectious GI disorders.

2009-05-15

9

The skin of Osedax (Siboglinidae, Annelida): An ultrastructural investigation of its epidermis  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The symbiotic polychaetes of the genus Osedax living on the bones of whale carcasses have become known as bone-eating worms. It is believed that whale bones are the source of nutrition for those gutless worms and that fatty acids are produced by their symbionts and transferred to the host. However, the symbionts are of the heterotrophic group Oceanospirillales and as such are not able to synthesize organic carbon de novo. Also, they are not housed in close contact to the bone material. We studied the ultrastructure of the integument overlying the symbiont housing trophosome in the ovisac region and the roots region and of the symbiont-free trunk region of Osedax to investigate the hosts possible contribution in feeding for the whole symbiosis. The epidermis differs conspicuously between th...

2010-01-01

10

Marine Flatworms, Leslie Newman and Lester Cannon, 9780643101197  

Wastenet

...Marine Flatworms provides a fascinating introduction to the intriguing world of polyclad flatworms, a group of large, free-living marine Platyhelminthes, which are found throughout the world but are most colourful in tropical waters. Although not related to molluscs, they are often mistaken for sea slugs ...com Marine Flatworms provides a fascinating introduction to the intriguing world of polyclad flatworms, a group of large, free-living marine Platyhelminthes, which are found throughout the world but are most colourful in tropical waters. Although not related to molluscs, they are often mistaken for sea ...the world Over 300 stunning full colour photographs Brings together polyclads worldwide Newly developed key to polyclad families Introduction The world of worms Flatworms (Phylum:Platyhelminthes) Segmented Worms (Phylum: Annelida) Round worms (Nematoda) Other worms The polyclad body Habitat and lifestyle Colours and ...

11

Expression of Distal-less, dachshund, and optomotor blind in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Annelida, Nereididae) does not support homology of appendage-forming mechanisms across the Bilateria  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The similarity in the genetic regulation of arthropod and vertebrate appendage formation has been interpreted as the product of a plesiomorphic gene network that was primitively involved in bilaterian appendage development and co-opted to build appendages (in modern phyla) that are not historically related as structures. Data from lophotrochozoans are needed to clarify the pervasiveness of plesiomorphic appendage-forming mechanisms. We assayed the expression of three arthropod and vertebrate limb gene orthologs, Distal-less (Dll), dachshund (dac), and optomotor blind (omb), in direct-developing juveniles of the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata. Parapodial Dll expression marks pre-morphogenetic notopodia and neuropodia, becoming restricted to the bases of notopodial cirri and to ventral ...

2010-01-01

12

Toxicological benchmarks for screening potential contaminants of concern for effects on soil and litter invertebrates and heterotrophic process  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One of the initial stages in ecological risk assessments for hazardous waste sites is the screening of contaminants to determine which of them are worthy of further consideration as open-quotes contaminants of potential concern.close quotes This process is termed open-quotes contaminant screening.close quotes It is performed by comparing measured ambient concentrations of chemicals to benchmark concentrations. Currently, no standard benchmark concentrations exist for assessing contaminants in soil with respect to their toxicity to soil- and litter-dwelling invertebrates, including earthworms, other micro- and macroinvertebrates, or heterotrophic bacteria and fungi. This report presents a standard method for deriving benchmarks for this purpose, sets of data concerning effects of chemicals in soil on invertebrates and soil microbial processes, and benchmarks for chemicals potentially associated with United States Department of Energy sites. In addition, literature ...

13

Integrated vermi-pisciculture - an alternative option for recycling of solid municipal waste in rural India  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vermicomposts as a biofertilizer can be a great option for pond manuring as they never cause any long term harm to the soil like chemical fertilizer. In this study vegetable and horticulture waste was used as an important media for vermiculture. Three separate cemented tanks (6 m{sup 3} each) were used in the system as control tank, vermicompost fertilized tank and inorganic fertilizer manured tank. Monoculture of fish was carried out with cat fish, Clarias batrachus. The produced earthworms were used as fish feed. Regular monitoring of water parameter was conducted in three different ponds. Specifically, the algal biomass variation was quite helpful in analysing the behavior of the ponds. NPK value of soil samples was analyzed intermittently to know the eutrophication level. Despite the hot summer temperature in northern part of India, which is not ideal for fish growth, we have recorded an encouraging growth performance in organic manured pond along with ...

2004-05-01