Morphological and Histological Studies on the Vermicomposting Indian Earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae

Earthworm is a potential contributor in organic waste disposal or vermicomposting. Eudrilus eugeniae collected from moist subsurface soil and under stones in the University of Agriculture Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, India, were studied. E. eugeniae can also be utilized for protein source in animal feed. The external features, growth, reproductive morphology and histology were investigated. The Indian E. eugeniae has higher bodyweight as compared to the African counterparts, in spite of comparable lengths. Morphology of the reproductive parts and histology of the ovary and oviduct of these worms are elucidated by histological staining methods. There have been no previous reports about these clitellar earthworms from the Indian subcontinent. The histological details of the ovary reveals the presence of larger follicles towards the periphery which shows degenerative changes, while the smaller primary follicles and oocyte are concentrated in the center. Further, the posterior part of the oviduct shows the presence of dense mass of sperms in its large lumen which confirms the process of internal fertilization in Eudrilus eugeniae. Hence, this first report is to help towards increasing breeding practices of these earthworms in these regions having good temperature and climatic conditions for ideal growth of this organism.