hybridization is possible (Dominguez and Edwards 2011). Both the species show
cross as well as self-fertilization. Life cycle of these are short, number of hatchling
cocoon
À1 is 2.5–3.8 and incubation time (days) is 18–26. Hatching success is
comparatively more in E. fetida (73–80%) than E. andrei (72%). Maturation time
(days) is much higher (28–30 days) in E. fetida than E. andrei (21–28 days). The
mean growth rate of E. fetida in rubber leaves is 6.02 mg worm
À1 day
À1 (Chaudhuri
et al. 2003).
11.3.1.5 Polypheretima elongata (Perrier 1872)
This earthworm species is exotic to India and has been tested for the treatment of
solid organic wastes, including municipal and slaughterhouse waste, human and
diary wastes (Dominguez and Edwards 2011). A project in India using this species
claimed to have commercially viable facilities for vermistabilization of 8 tonnes of
solid organic wastes day
À1 . They developed a vermifilter (packet of vermicompost
and live earthworms) that produces reusable water from sewage sludge and organic
wastewater from sewage sludge and from the food processing centre. P. elongata has
a continuous breeding strategy with fecundity 23 cocoons worm
À1 year
À1 , incubation time 49 days, hatchling cocoon
À1 1.33, and hatching success 40%
(Bhattacharjee and Chaudhuri 2002). Vermistabilization of municipal sewage sludge
by P. elongata enhancing its nutrient contents was reported by Chaudhuri and
Bhattacharjee (2001).
11.3.1.6 Amynthas cortices (Kinberg)
A. cortices occur in forest litter, crop fields, pasture, kitchen drainage, and compost
heaps. In India, it is commonly found in hilly areas. It feeds on surface litter,
decomposing material, and soil. Exhibits peculiar behaviour of thrashing and
jumping and breaks off its tail when disturbed. Its preferred temperature varies
from 21 to 27
C. Number of juveniles per cocoon is 1. Incubation period is about
30 days.
11.3.1.7 Drawida nepalensis (Michaelsen)
D. nepalensis is not widely utilized vermicomposting although it has an affinity for
organic matter and shows some suitable characteristics for vermiculture. This species possesses semi-continuous breeding strategy with cocoon production
29 cocoons worm
À1 year
À1 , development time 24 days, hatching success 37.50%,
and hatchling cocoon
À1 1.80 (Bhattacharjee and Chaudhuri 2002). Kaushal et al.
(1994) observed a growth rate of 5.07 mg worm
À1 day
À1 for D. nepalensis reared on
the horse manure. Fed on cow manure and oak litter D. nepalensis has a growth rate
of 3.52 mg worm
À1 day
À1 (Joshi and Dabral 2008).
11 Growth and Reproductive Biology of Earthworms in Organic Waste Breakdown. . .
187
cross as well as self-fertilization. Life cycle of these are short, number of hatchling
cocoon
À1 is 2.5–3.8 and incubation time (days) is 18–26. Hatching success is
comparatively more in E. fetida (73–80%) than E. andrei (72%). Maturation time
(days) is much higher (28–30 days) in E. fetida than E. andrei (21–28 days). The
mean growth rate of E. fetida in rubber leaves is 6.02 mg worm
À1 day
À1 (Chaudhuri
et al. 2003).
11.3.1.5 Polypheretima elongata (Perrier 1872)
This earthworm species is exotic to India and has been tested for the treatment of
solid organic wastes, including municipal and slaughterhouse waste, human and
diary wastes (Dominguez and Edwards 2011). A project in India using this species
claimed to have commercially viable facilities for vermistabilization of 8 tonnes of
solid organic wastes day
À1 . They developed a vermifilter (packet of vermicompost
and live earthworms) that produces reusable water from sewage sludge and organic
wastewater from sewage sludge and from the food processing centre. P. elongata has
a continuous breeding strategy with fecundity 23 cocoons worm
À1 year
À1 , incubation time 49 days, hatchling cocoon
À1 1.33, and hatching success 40%
(Bhattacharjee and Chaudhuri 2002). Vermistabilization of municipal sewage sludge
by P. elongata enhancing its nutrient contents was reported by Chaudhuri and
Bhattacharjee (2001).
11.3.1.6 Amynthas cortices (Kinberg)
A. cortices occur in forest litter, crop fields, pasture, kitchen drainage, and compost
heaps. In India, it is commonly found in hilly areas. It feeds on surface litter,
decomposing material, and soil. Exhibits peculiar behaviour of thrashing and
jumping and breaks off its tail when disturbed. Its preferred temperature varies
from 21 to 27
C. Number of juveniles per cocoon is 1. Incubation period is about
30 days.
11.3.1.7 Drawida nepalensis (Michaelsen)
D. nepalensis is not widely utilized vermicomposting although it has an affinity for
organic matter and shows some suitable characteristics for vermiculture. This species possesses semi-continuous breeding strategy with cocoon production
29 cocoons worm
À1 year
À1 , development time 24 days, hatching success 37.50%,
and hatchling cocoon
À1 1.80 (Bhattacharjee and Chaudhuri 2002). Kaushal et al.
(1994) observed a growth rate of 5.07 mg worm
À1 day
À1 for D. nepalensis reared on
the horse manure. Fed on cow manure and oak litter D. nepalensis has a growth rate
of 3.52 mg worm
À1 day
À1 (Joshi and Dabral 2008).
11 Growth and Reproductive Biology of Earthworms in Organic Waste Breakdown. . .
187