- Published: September 25, 2022
- Updated: September 25, 2022
- University / College: Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
- Language: English
- Downloads: 12
DiscussionMany scientists studied An interaction between parasites and earthwormsand refered to the earthworms may be anintermediate host or transmitted host or reservoir host for many species ofparasites Noble& Glenn(1961) recorded Monocystis lumbrici from the seminal vesicle ofthe common earthworms In California, Eggs of Ascaridia sp. are found in earthworms cavity and described by Al– Mayahi, (1994), Holly ,(2008) referred to Toxocaracati transmitted by small rodents, beetles, earthworms but Toxocara leoninaand T. canis are transmitted by small rodents only and Hadi and Al-Amery (2010)isolated two species of nematodes Ascaridia sp.
, Toxcarasp. from the body cavity of the earthworm. In the current study were found the nematode parasite Rhabditis sp. infects earthworms while (Wakelin et al,.
2001)recorded two common parasites areMonocystis (Protozoa, Sporozoa) and Rhabditis (Nematoda); these infectearthworms. The life history of Rhabditis was briefly documented by Cuénot (1898) and the present research suggest infectivelarvae of Rhabditis were able to penetrate earthworm by pores and Poinar and Thomas,( 1975) who suggested the nematodesentered the host through the nephridiopores. Rhabditis can pear lack of foodand drought so it can be grown indefinitely in laboratory culture but theassociation between Rhabditis pellio (Schneider) and earthworms (Poinar and Thomas, 1975) and R.
myriophila and the millipede are similar described Poinar (1986) and revealed that the larval stages of both nematodes enter thehost’s external openings (the excretory system with Rhabditis pellio andalimentary tract with Rhabditis myriophila) and body cavity. In thepresent study nematodes infect many different specimens of field and vermicultured earthworms. butthey are unable to multiply until the hostdead and is invaded by bacteria. Bacteria areapparently required as a food source. Small numbers of nematodes often occur inhealthy earthworm , but high numbers cause illness or even death. According to Poinar and Thomas(1975) The nematodes can escapeto the outside through the nephridiophores and establish themselves by feedingon bacteria in the soil.
Or they can remain in the host until it dies and thenfeed on the decaying carcass and ourresults confirm their belief.