Lumbricus rubellus
Encyclopedia
Lumbricus rubellus is a species of earthworm
that is related to Lumbricus terrestris
. It is usually reddish brown or reddish violet, iridescent dorsally, and pale yellow ventrally. They are usually about 25 millimetre (0.984251968503937 in) to 105 millimetres (4.1 in) in length, with around 95-120 segments.
denotes membership to Class Clitellata. Members of this class are also defined by having permanent gonads.
Various abiotic factors are significant to Lumbricus rubellus. Reynolds notes that pH is of particular importance, and that a range of 5.5 to 8.7 is acceptable with a preference for neutral soils. Edwards and Lofty note that temperature is also significant, with implications for growth, respiration, metabolism and reproduction amongst other things. They note an ideal temperature of 51 degrees Fahrenheit (10.6 degrees Celsius). A further abiotic factor is moisture, which is noted by Edwards and Lofty as important for respiration. A similar species, Millsonia anomala, was most active at 10-17% moisture content. The substratum for Lumbricus rubellus is related to the species food sources and pH and moisture requirements. Dung is the species preference (Edwards and Lofty 1972). With regards to light intensity, Edwards and Lofty note that most earthworm species are photonegative to strong sources of light and photopositive to weak sources of light. This is attributable to the effects of intense light, such as drying and a lack of food sources found above ground for earthworms (Edwards and Lofty).
s, polyphenol
s, and acids. Negative responses are caused by acid and alkaloids (at certain levels), while polyphenol sensitivity identifies different food sources (Edwards and Lofty 1972). Chemoreceptors, as noted by Edwards and Lofty (1983), can also be found on other parts of the organisms body. These serve to direct the organism away from dangers such as temperature or pH variations, and direct the organism towards possible food sources.
s by making it easier for plants to uptake nutrients. In food chains, earthworms such as Lumbricus rubellus are primary consumers whose role is converting the energy synthesized by photosynthetic plants into food for animals at higher trophic levels (Wallwork 1983).
One significant biotic interaction of Lumbricus rubellus results from a relationship with vitamin B12 producing microorganisms such as bacteria and actinomycetes and barley (Wallwork 1983). The presence of such earthworms as Lumbricus rubellus increases concentrations of vitamin B12 producing microorganisms and vitamin B12 in the soil. The result is an increased barley yield and an increased volume of organic material for the earthworms. In this way a positive feedback relationship exists between the barley, microorganisms and Lumbricus rubellus.
, abdominal extracts from Lumbricus rubellus are used in a preparation known as Di Long
, or Earth Dragon, for treatment of rheumatic, phlegm and blood disorders.
Earthworm
Earthworm is the common name for the largest members of Oligochaeta in the phylum Annelida. In classical systems they were placed in the order Opisthopora, on the basis of the male pores opening posterior to the female pores, even though the internal male segments are anterior to the female...
that is related to Lumbricus terrestris
Lumbricus terrestris
Lumbricus terrestris is a large reddish worm native to Europe, but now also widely distributed elsewhere around the world due to human introductions...
. It is usually reddish brown or reddish violet, iridescent dorsally, and pale yellow ventrally. They are usually about 25 millimetre (0.984251968503937 in) to 105 millimetres (4.1 in) in length, with around 95-120 segments.
Size and appearance
Lumbricus rubellus, or the "Red Earthworm", ranges from 25 millimetre (0.984251968503937 in) to 105 millimetres (4.1 in) in length and has smooth, reddish, semi-transparent, flexible skin segmented into circular sections. Each segment contains four pairs of setae, or bristles, and the total number of segments per matured organism ranges from 95-105 (Edwards and Lofty 1972). The segmentation of Lumbricus rubellus identifies the organism as a member of Phylum Annelida, while the enlarged segments towards the anterior of the organism called the clitellumClitellum
The clitellum is a thickened glandular section of the body wall in earthworms and leeches, that secretes a viscid sac in which the eggs are deposited...
denotes membership to Class Clitellata. Members of this class are also defined by having permanent gonads.
Habitat
Lumbricus rubellus naturally lives in soils high in organic matter, preferably dung and feces (Edwards and Lofty 1972). The worms require loose soil to burrow in and soil moist enough for gas exchange (Wallwork 1983). Further requirements include such abiotic factors as pH and temperature.Various abiotic factors are significant to Lumbricus rubellus. Reynolds notes that pH is of particular importance, and that a range of 5.5 to 8.7 is acceptable with a preference for neutral soils. Edwards and Lofty note that temperature is also significant, with implications for growth, respiration, metabolism and reproduction amongst other things. They note an ideal temperature of 51 degrees Fahrenheit (10.6 degrees Celsius). A further abiotic factor is moisture, which is noted by Edwards and Lofty as important for respiration. A similar species, Millsonia anomala, was most active at 10-17% moisture content. The substratum for Lumbricus rubellus is related to the species food sources and pH and moisture requirements. Dung is the species preference (Edwards and Lofty 1972). With regards to light intensity, Edwards and Lofty note that most earthworm species are photonegative to strong sources of light and photopositive to weak sources of light. This is attributable to the effects of intense light, such as drying and a lack of food sources found above ground for earthworms (Edwards and Lofty).
Behaviour
The sense organs of Lumbricus rubellus associated with feeding are on the prostomium, located at the anterior end of the organism (Edwards and Lofty 1972). The chemoreceptors here are sensitive to alkaloidAlkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
s, polyphenol
Polyphenol
Polyphenols are a structural class of natural, synthetic, and semisynthetic organic chemicals characterized by the presence of large multiples of phenol structural units...
s, and acids. Negative responses are caused by acid and alkaloids (at certain levels), while polyphenol sensitivity identifies different food sources (Edwards and Lofty 1972). Chemoreceptors, as noted by Edwards and Lofty (1983), can also be found on other parts of the organisms body. These serve to direct the organism away from dangers such as temperature or pH variations, and direct the organism towards possible food sources.
Role in ecosystems
Lumbricus rubellus is a saprophage which feeds on organic material that is in a high state of decomposition (Wallwork 1983). In ecosystems, earthworms such as Lumbricus rubellus increase the rate of transfer between trophic levelTrophic level
The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food chain. The word trophic derives from the Greek τροφή referring to food or feeding. A food chain represents a succession of organisms that eat another organism and are, in turn, eaten themselves. The number of steps an organism...
s by making it easier for plants to uptake nutrients. In food chains, earthworms such as Lumbricus rubellus are primary consumers whose role is converting the energy synthesized by photosynthetic plants into food for animals at higher trophic levels (Wallwork 1983).
One significant biotic interaction of Lumbricus rubellus results from a relationship with vitamin B12 producing microorganisms such as bacteria and actinomycetes and barley (Wallwork 1983). The presence of such earthworms as Lumbricus rubellus increases concentrations of vitamin B12 producing microorganisms and vitamin B12 in the soil. The result is an increased barley yield and an increased volume of organic material for the earthworms. In this way a positive feedback relationship exists between the barley, microorganisms and Lumbricus rubellus.
Medicinal uses
In traditional Chinese medicineTraditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
, abdominal extracts from Lumbricus rubellus are used in a preparation known as Di Long
Di Long (extract)
Di Long or Dilong extract is a medicinal preparation based on abdominal extracts from the earthworm species Lumbricus rubellus used in traditional Chinese medicine for a wide variety of disorders, from convulsions and fevers to rheumatoid arthritis and blood stasis syndromess.- Synopsis :Di Long...
, or Earth Dragon, for treatment of rheumatic, phlegm and blood disorders.