Lampito Mauritii Kinberg Research Articles

Cobalt, Chromium and lead heavy metals accumulation from animal dung, soil and rice grain through Vermic-activity by Lampito mauritii Kinberg

Heavy metals are a severe concern that causes a variety of health issues in both human beings and animals. They also have an impact on the variety of soil organisms and the ecosystem. The inoculation of earthworms in their natural environments can assist in monitoring heavy metal concentrations. The earthworm Lampito mauritii is a significant species for bioaccumulating highly toxic metals from soil and organic wastes for vermicomposting. This research aims to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals such as cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) found in various animal dungs, earthworm Lampito mauritii body tissues before and after vermicomposting, soil, and rice grains (Oryza sativa L.). Compared to the initial feed mixture of various animal dungs, it was found that the Co, Cr, and Pb heavy metal concentrations decreased (P < 0.05) in the final vermicompost. When the soil was mixed with cow dung vermicompost that had been inoculated with the earthworm Lampito mauritii, the highest concentrations of cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) were found to decrease by nearly 44.03% and 17.08%, respectively, while the maximum concentration of lead (Pb) was significantly reduced by 32.46% when the soil was mixed with goat dung. Heavy metal concentrations in rice grains were measured both before and after harvesting. When the soil was combined with goat dung vermicompost, the highest concentrations of Co, Cr, and Pb were found to decrease. Before and after crop harvesting, heavy metal concentrations were also investigated in the earthworm body in soil and soil with vermicompost of different animal dungs. When soil and cow dung were combined, the highest amount of cobalt (Co) was found to increase by 29.91% in the earthworm Lampito mauritii body, whereas the highest concentrations of chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) were found to increase by 18.05% and 30.22%, respectively, in the earthworm body when soil and buffalo dung were combined. For the protection of both the health of humans and the environment, vermicomposting and the utilization of Lampito mauritii are considered to be efficient methods for extracting these harmful metals from rice field soil.

A contribution to the earthworm (Annelida, Clitellata, Megadrili) fauna of the central Indian state Chhattisgarh, India

Drawida willsi was the first species of earthworm reported from Chhattisgarh state by Michaelsen in 1907. After that, only one survey of earthworm has been carried out there in 2021. Here we present a first-hand information on the survey of earthworms carried out in Chhattisgarh state in the year 2022. The study documents 12 species belonging to 4 families. Among these, Dichogaster affinis (Michaelsen, 1890) and Polypheretima elongata (Perrier, 1872) are exotic peregrine species. Species such as Drawida limella Gates, 1934, Lennogaster chittagongensis (Stephenson, 1917) and Octochaetona compta (Gates, 1945) expanded their distribution to central India. The study also noted the presence of microplastic for the first time in the ingesta of an earthworm (Lampito mauritii Kinberg, 1867) from India. Further detailed survey would add more species into the faunal list of Chhattisgarh, even species new to science.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals from the Combination of Different Biological Wastes by Earthworm Lampito mauritii Kinberg

Accumulation of Heavy Metals from the Combination of Different Biological Wastes by Earthworm Lampito mauritii Kinberg

Impact of five different species of bamboo plantations on earthworm communities in West Tripura (India)

A field study undertaken in 5 different species of bamboo plantations in West Tripura revealed presence of 18 species of earthworms belonging to 4 different families viz Megascolecidae [Metaphire houlleti (Perrier), Kanchuria sp1, Lampito mauritii Kinberg, Amynthus alexandri (Beddard), Perionyx excavatus Perrier, Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant)], Octochaetidae [Eutyphoeus gigas Stephenson, Eutyphoeus comillahnus Michaelsen, Eutyphoeus orientalis (Beddard), Dichogaster bolaui Michaelsen, Lennogaster chittagongensis (Stephenson), Lennogaster yeicus (Stephenson), Eutyphoeus turaensis Stephenson and Octochaetona beatrix (Beddard)], Moniligastridae [Drawida assamensis Gates, Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen and Drawida papillifer papillifer (Stephenson) and Glossoscolecidae (Pontoscolex corethrurus Muller). One species E. comillahnus is restricted only to Tripura of India. Bamboo plantations were mostly dominated by endogeic (geophagous) species. Among the plantations B. polymorpha had the highest density (175 ind./m2) and biomass (75 g/m2) of the earthworms, whereas the highest earthworm diversity (Ĥ 1.67) was found in B. cacharensis plantation.

Distribution of Earthworms at Different Habitats in Tangail, Bangladesh and Significantly Impacts on Soil pH, Organic Carbonand Nitrogen

Distribution of Earthworms at Different Habitats in Tangail District Significantly Impacts on Soil pH, Organic Carbon and Nitrogen. The earthworms were studied on habitat base. Two orders of class Oligochaeta of phylum Annelida: five families, nine genera include fifteen species. The recorded species are Drawida limella Gates 1934, Drawid anepalensis Michaelsen 1907, Glyphidrilus tuberosus Stephenson 1916, Amynthas alexandri Beddard 1900, Lampito mauritii Kinberg 1866, Metaphire houlleti Perrier 1872, Metaphire posthuma Vaillant 1868, Perionyx excavatus Perrier 1872, Perionyx horai Stephenson 1924, Perionyx modestus Stephenson 1922, Perionyx simlaensis Michaelsen 1907, Dichogaster modiglianii Rosa 1896, Dichogaster saliens Beddard 1893, Eutyphoeus gigas Stephenson 1917, Eutyphoeus orientalis Beddard 1883. The Highest number (11) of species was observed in water body adjacent habitat. The lowest number (03) of species was observed in steep habitat. The highest number (10) of species was observed in Gopalpur and Bhuapur upazila and the lowest number (04) of species was observed in Madhupur upazila. The studied parameters of soil were pH, organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N).The pH value of soil in the study area was slightly acidic but very close to the neutral status. Organic carbon status of the soil favors the distribution and abundance of earthworm that influence the soil nutrients and fertility. Nitrogen status was recorded under low level marked (0.075 %) in eleven (11) upazila out of twelve (12). The scenario of the soil nutrients OC and N are not up to the mark in the study area. Positive correlation was found between pH value of soil and earthworm species distribution in different habitats. Organic carbon is positively correlated with earthworm distribution. Nitrogen is positively correlated with organic carbon. These correlations establish that soil fertility is an integrated task where the participation of earthworm plays positive role.

Earthworms as bioindicator of metals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in soils: Is metal bioaccumulation affected by their ecological category?

The importance of earthworms in metal pollution monitoring is widely recognized in terrestrial ecosystems. Metal bioaccumulation by soil-dwelling earthworms can be used as an ecological indicator of metal availability in soils. In this study, we quantify the level of DTPA extractable metals in casts and tissues of earthworms (endogeic: Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant) and anecic: Lampito mauritii Kinberg) and ingesting soils, collected form cultivated land, urban garden and sewage soils. Soil and worm casts collected from sewage and cultivated land showed the greater metal concentrations. The concentration of Zn, Fe, Pb and Mn in earthworm casts was in the order: sewage soil > cultivated land > urban garden, while for Cu and Cd the order was cultivated land > sewage soil > urban garden. Data suggested that the level of DTPA extractable metals was higher than that of surrounding soils. We got close relationships between metal concentration in worm tissues and surrounding soils: Zn ( r 2 = 0.94 and 0.89, P < 0.01 for both), Fe ( r 2 = 0.95 and 0.97, P < 0.01 for both), Cu ( r 2 = 0.93 and 0.96, P < 0.01), Pb (0.63, P < 0.01 and 0.57, P > 0.05), and Cd ( r 2 = 0.15, P > 0.01 and 0.75, P < 0.01), respectively, for M. posthuma and L. mauritii. The study clearly indicates that earthworms have efficient potentials for bioaccumulation of metals in their tissues which can be used as an ecological indicator of soil contaminations. A species-specific metal accumulation pattern was observed in studied earthworms. Comparatively, endogeic showed the higher metal contents in their tissues than anecic ( t-test: P < 0.05); collected form different habitats studied. Data suggested that species-specific feeding behaviour, earthworm niche structure, ecological category of inhabiting earthworm and even horizontal distribution of contaminants in soil layers are some major determinant for metal accumulation patterns in soil dwelling earthworms. The difference in burrowing patterns can influence the patterns of metal bioaccumulations between endogeic and anecic, although other factors are also contributory. Further more detailed study is still required to elaborate the proposed hypothesis.

Microbial and decomposition efficiencies of monoculture and polyculture vermireactors, based on epigeic and anecic earthworms

Efforts have been made to evaluate the microbial and decomposition efficiency of three different vermireactors: (i) polyculture (introducing equal numbers of anecic and epigeic earthworms), (ii) monoculture (anecic) and (iii) monoculture (epigeic), designed by using earthworms of two different ecological categories i.e. anecic (Lampito mauritii Kinberg) and epigeic (Eisenia fetida (Savigny)). The microbial load of vermireactors was measured through substrate-induced respiration rate (SIR), microbial biomass N content and rate of dehydrogenase activity, while mineralization rate was evaluated measuring some chemical parameters of the substrate. Earthworms caused a decrease (as compared to initial value) in pH (41.9–80.7%), organic C (10.3–14.2%) and C:N ratio (41.9–80.7%) and an increase in total N (29.1–58.8%), NH4-N (876.1–1485.7%), NO3-N (29081.8–56792.6%), available P (16–19.4%) and exchangeable K (9.8–13.5%) contents of the substrate. The mineralization efficiency of the reactors was in the order: polyculture (epigeic + anecic) > monoculture (anecic) > monoculture (epigeic). The polyculture reactor showed the maximum rate of SIR (2.91 ± 0.2 mg CO2 g−1 substrate), microbial biomass N (3108.1 ± 289.2 mg N g−1 substrate), and dehydrogenase activity (2453.3 ± 379.8 μg g−1 substrate 24 h), while in the monoculture (epigeic) the lowest values of the same parameters were observed. It is concluded that the observed differences among reactors were due to different feeding behaviour and niche structures of epigeic and anecic earthworms. Data suggests that burrowing earthworms in waste-decomposing-system not only enhance the microbial efficiencies, but at the same time also accelerate the organic matter mineralization in a vermireactor. However, most of the previous studies were based on monoculture reactors (using epigeic earthworms) which have been recommended for waste decomposition operations, but this study revealed that polyculture vermicomposting (adding of burrowing worms with epigeic earthworms in vermicomposting system) might be beneficial for rapid decomposition of organic wastes.

Cocoon production, morphology, hatching pattern and fecundity in seven tropical earthworm species - a laboratory-based investigation.

Data on the reproductive biology of seven Indian species of earthworms, viz. Perionyx excavatus Perrier, Lampito mauritii Kinberg, Polypheretima elongata (Perrier), Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller), Eutyphoeus gammiei (Beddard), Dichogaster modiglianii (Rosa) and Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen are presented. The peregrine earthworms such as Perionyx excavatus, Pontoscolex corethrurus, Dichogaster modiglianii, and Polypheretima elongata are considered to be continuous breeders with high fecundity. Native Lampito mauritii and Drawida nepalensis are semi-continuous and Eutyphoeus gammiei discrete breeders. There is a dramatic increase in cocoon production by most earthworm species of Tripura in the summer and monsoon with a corresponding peak during April and July. Cocoon production decreased or ceased during winter. Temperature affected the incubation period of cocoons. With increase in temperature, incubation period increased in the endogeic worms, Pontoscolex corethrurus, Polypheretima elongata and Drawida nepalensis and decreased in the epigeic worms, Perionyx excavatus and Dichogaster modiglianii, within a temperature range between 28-32 degrees C under laboratory conditions. There was a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between number of hatchlings per cocoon and incubation period in Lampito mauritii. High rate of cocoon production, short development time with high hatching success, as well as continuous breeding strategies in the epigeic species Perionyx excavatus and Dichogaster modiglianii and the top soil endogeic species, Pontoscolex corethrurus, Drawida nepalensis and Lampito mauritii, indicate their possible usefulness in vermiculture. The giant anecic worm, Eutyphoeus gammiei, which has a very long cocoon development time, discrete breeding strategy and very low rate of cocoon production, is not a suitable species for vermiculture.

Potential of two epigeic and two anecic earthworm species in vermicomposting of water hyacinth

The potential of two epigeic species ( Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg, and Perionyx excavatus Perrier) and two anecic species ( Lampito mauritii Kinberg and Drawida willsi Michaelson) of earthworms was assessed in terms of efficiency and sustainability of vermicomposting water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes, Mart. Solm.). In different vermireactors, each run in duplicate with one of the four species of earthworms, and 75 g of 6:1 water hyacinth: cowdung as feed, vermicasts were produced with steadily increasing output in all the reactors. E. eugeniae was by far the most efficient producer of vermicasts, followed by the other epigeic P. excavatus. The two anecics came next, with D. willsi being the least effective which could generate only about half the quantity of vermicasts achieved in a corresponding time by E. eugeniae. In all the reactors, the earthworms grew well, increasing their weights by more than 250%. The maximum net gain of weight (average 30.7 g) was by E. eugeniae, followed by P. excavatus, L. mauritii and D. willsi. This trend, which followed the efficiency of vermicast production, was also shown in terms of reproductive ability as measured by the number of offspring produced by the four species.

Earthworm biomass response to soil management in semi-arid tropical Alfisol agroecosystems

Earthworms recorded during 1989–1993 across 15 soil management treatments, comprising three different tillagexthree organic amendments (bare, farmyard manure, and rice straw) and six perennial ley treatments, belonged to two endogeic species, Octochaetona phillotti (Michaelsen) and Lampito mauritii Kinberg, while in a nearby undisturbed natural revegetation area three species were found, including the above two and Octonochaeta rosea (Stephenson). The earthworm biomass showed significant temporal and spatial variations and was higher during the post monsoon period than in the early rainy season. No worm biomass was recorded during the dry season. In the tillage and organic amendment treatments, the biomass was drastically reduced from September 1989 to September 1991 after the application of carbofuran and some herbicides, and was significantly reduced during these two years compared to that of 1992. The maximum monthly earthworm biomass ranged between 2.5 and 17.9 g m-2 across the treatments and increased several-fold in the nearby natural revegetation area (75.9 g m-2). It significantly increased in perennial ley treatments compared to annual treatments with organic amendments. Thus the earthworm biomass varied significantly (P<0.01) across the 15 treatments, indicating discernible effects of soil management.

Anti-inflammatory activity of earthworm extracts

A detailed account of the preparation of the “drug” TEP from the earthworm Lampito mauritii Kinberg and the use of the petroleum ether fraction of TEP for its anti-inflammatory prperty on albino rats has been investigated. The efficiency of the drug appears to be similar to that of aspirin in carrageenan induced oedema. Preliminary reports are encouraging, however further investigations are needed.