Morphology and dynamics of calcium carbonate granules produced by different earthworm species.

Canti, Matthew G. and Piearce, Trevor G. (2003) Morphology and dynamics of calcium carbonate granules produced by different earthworm species. Pedobiologia, 47 (5-6). pp. 511-521. ISSN 1873-1511

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Abstract

Granules of calcium carbonate produced by earthworms are regularly found in soil profiles, but little is known of their origins and dynamics. Pure cultures of a range of species were therefore set up, using artificial soils, and the granules recovered for examination. Species of Lumbricus, Aporrectodea, Octolasion and Allolobophora all produced granules larger than 0.125mm, but Eisenia hortensis did not. For comparison, two compost-dwelling Eisenia species were also cultured. These yielded no granules at all, suggesting that the genus as a whole does not produce granules, consistent with its lack of calciferous sacs. Granules recovered from the other 7 species have a variety of sizes and morphologies, ranging from single calcite crystals to aggregations up to 2.5mm in diameter. SEM photographs of the granules and data on granule concentrations in relation to depth are presented

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Pedobiologia
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1105
Subjects:
?? earthworm granulescalciferous glandscalcium carbonatebiominerals.ecology, evolution, behavior and systematicssoil scienceqh301 biology ??
ID Code:
9291
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
04 Jun 2008 08:40
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 11:38