ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Key words Earthworms
;
Burrow system
;
Burrow orientation
;
Xray computed tomography
;
image analysis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract The burrow systems of two earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea giardi) were studied in artificially packed soil columns placed in controlled conditions in the laboratory. At the end of the incubation, which lasted 246 days, the burrow systems were characterized on the undisturbed columns using X-ray computed tomography. This method provided a set of digitized images corresponding to horizontal 3-mm-thick sections. The following parameters were measured using image analysis on each section: number of biopores, their volume, and their individual orientation calculated using an elliptical model of the earthworm channel. The profiles of these parameters through the columns showed that the burrow systems of L. terrestris and A. giardi, which are both anecic species, were very different in terms of total volume, number of burrows, burrow orientation and extension with soil depth. These results led us to conclude that the burrow system of L. terrestris can be considered as a permanent structure whereas that of A. giardi is closer to the burrow system of endogeic species.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050558
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