''Eudrilus eugeniae'', also called the "African nightcrawler", is an

earthworm An earthworm is a soil-dwelling terrestrial invertebrate that belongs to the phylum Annelida. The term is the common name for the largest members of the class (or subclass, depending on the author) Oligochaeta. In classical systems, they we ...

species native to tropical west Africa and now widespread in warm regions under vermicompost; it is an excellent source of protein and has great pharmaceutical potential.

Growth

Fecundity, growth, maturation and biomass production were all significantly greater at 25 °C than 15°, 20°or 30°. The growth of individual earthworms increases as the population density lowers, but the greatest overall earthworm biomass production occurs at the highest population density. The greatest number of cocoons per week and the number of hatchlings per cocoon are obtained at 25 °C. Cocoons of ''E. eugeniae'' hatched in only 12 days at 25 °C, and the worms reach sexual maturity in as little as 35 days after hatching.

Etymology

Named after Johan Gustaf Hjalmar Kinberg's Swedish survey ship, the 'Eugenie'.

Life cycle

Throughout its life cycle, ''E. eugeniae'' grows much more rapidly than ''

Eisenia fetida ''Eisenia fetida'', known under various common names such as manure worm, redworm, brandling worm, panfish worm, trout worm, tiger worm, red wiggler worm, etc., is a species of earthworm adapted to Decomposition, decaying organic material. These ...

'', in similar environmental conditions. The African nightcrawler grows well at a temperature of . Maximum weight of around 2.5 grams occurs within 8–10 weeks. The African nightcrawler has a uniform purple-grey sheen and the posterior segments are evenly tapered to a point. The segments of the brandling worm (''Eisenia fetida'') alternate reddish-orange and brown; the posterior segments do not taper, and the final segment is blunt.

References

Clitellata {{annelid-stub