Data on the identification of microsatellite markers in and .

and are closely related earthworm species that play a crucial part in soil and influence its structure and organic matter cycling. Due to their essential environmental role, they are widely used as model organisms in a vast spectrum of research areas. In this work, we partially sequenced genomes of and , using Illumina technology (Nano 2 × 250 v2 - MiSeq) and assembly strategy.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers demonstrate hybridization and interspecific gene flow between lumbricid earthworm species, Eisenia andrei and E. fetida.

The lumbricid earthworms Eisenia andrei (Ea) and E. fetida (Ef) have been used as model organisms for studies on hybridization. Previously they have been identified by species specific sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene of maternal origin ('a' or 'f') and the nuclear 28S gene of maternal/paternal origin ('A' or 'F').

Species-specific Cd-detoxification mechanisms in lumbricid earthworms Eisenia andrei, Eisenia fetida and their hybrids.

Hermaphroditic lumbricid Eisenia sp. earthworms are ubiquitous and highly resistant to a variety of environmental stressors, including heavy metals. Among the progeny of laboratory mated inter-specific pairs of Eisenia fetida (Ea) and Eisenia andrei (Ef) there are fertile Ha hybrids derived from Ea ova fertilized by Ef spermatozoa and very rare sterile Hf hybrids from Ef ova fertilized by Ea spermatozoa.

Impairment of reproductive capabilities in three subsequent generations of asymmetric hybrids between Eisenia andrei and E. fetida from French, Hungarian and Polish laboratory colonies.

Eisenia andrei (Ea) and E. fetida (Ef) lumbricid earthworms are simultaneous hermaphrodites potentially capable of self-fertilization and hybridization. We have shown previously that reproductive isolation in these species is incomplete in Ea and Ef earthworms of French provenance, as viable offspring appeared in inter-specific pairs.

Identification of new fluorophores in coelomic fluid of Eisenia andrei earthworms.

Coelomic fluid of Eisenia andrei contains a number of UV-fluorescent compounds. In the present study we have found that four of these compounds showed identical fluorescence excitation and emission maxima at 310 nm and 364 nm, respectively, suggesting they share the same chromophore. NMR and HR-MS spectroscopy of the most abundant fluorophore reavealed that its molecule is composed of two quinazoline-2,4-dione rings connected by spermine linker.

Asymmetrical hybridization and gene flow between Eisenia andrei and E. fetida lumbricid earthworms.

Uniformly pigmented Eisenia andrei (Ea) and striped E. fetida (Ef) lumbricid earthworms are hermaphrodites capable of self-fertilization, cross-fertilization, and asymmetrical hybridization. The latter was detected by genotyping of F1 and F2 progeny of the controlled Ea+Ef pairs by species-specific sequences of maternal mitochondrial COI genes and maternal/paternal nuclear S28 rRNA genes.

The existence of fertile hybrids of closely related model earthworm species, Eisenia andrei and E. fetida.

Lumbricid earthworms Eisenia andrei (Ea) and E. fetida (Ef) are simultaneous hermaphrodites with reciprocal insemination capable of self-fertilization while the existence of hybridization of these two species was still debatable. During the present investigation fertile hybrids of Ea and Ef were detected.

Protective role of metallothionein during regeneration in Eisenia andrei exposed to cadmium.

Lumbricid earthworms are often exposed to simultaneous action of various environmental stressors like soil contamination, temperature fluctuation or predators' attacks, which may induce extrusion of coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid or loss of tail segments. If the injuries are not lethal, renewal of the immune-competent cells and soluble components of coelomic fluid and/or the regeneration of tail segments occurs. The aim of our investigations was to test the hypothesis that exposure of adult earthworms Eisenia andrei to cadmium-polluted soil at room temperature (RT) and/or low temperature (6°C) have adverse effects on restoration of experimentally depleted coelomocytes or on regeneration of amputated posterior segments.

Determination of the performance of vermicomposting process applied to sewage sludge by monitoring of the compost quality and immune responses in three earthworm species: Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei and Dendrobaena veneta.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of vermicomposting process applied on three different sewage sludge (precomposted with grass clippings, sawdust and municipal solid wastes) using three different earthworm species. Selected immune parameters, namely biomarkers of stress and metal body burdens, have been used to biomonitor the vermicomposting process and to assess the impact of contaminants on earthworm's physiology. Biotic and abiotic parameters were also used in order to monitor the process and the quality of the final product.

Data on proteins of lysenin family in coelomocytes of and obtained by tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography.

The data described are related to the article "Lysenin family proteins in earthworm coelomocytes - comparative approach" (B. Swiderska, S. Kedracka-Krok, T.

Lysenin family proteins in earthworm coelomocytes - Comparative approach.

Sphingomyelin-binding proteins of the lysenin family were originally identified in earthworms belonging to the genus Eisenia comprised of at least two distinct species, E. andrei and E. fetida, until recently considered subspecies or morphotypes of E.

Exposure of Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta; Lumbricidea) to Cadmium Polluted Soil Inhibits Earthworm Maturation and Reproduction but not Restoration of Experimentally Depleted Coelomocytes or Regeneration of Amputated Segments.

Lumbricid earthworms are often exposed to polluted soil. They are also commonly subjected to various stimuli and attacks by predators that induce extrusion of coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid and/or the loss of body segments followed by the renewal of immune-competent cells and regeneration of tissues/organs. The aim of our investigations was to test the effects of exposure of the earthworm Eisenia andrei to cadmium-polluted soil, combined with electrostimulation-induced depletion of coelomocytes (i.

Differential Time Course of Restoration of Experimentally Depleted Coelomocytes and Fluorophores in the Earthworm Eisenia Andrei.

Stressed earthworms expel coelomic fluid containing several vital cellular and soluble components, thus their post-stress recovery has adaptive value. The present manuscript describes the recovery rates of coelomocytes (amoebocytes and eleocytes) and two fluorophores (riboflavin and 4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-glucuronide, MUG) after experimental extrusion by electrostimulation. Analyses were conducted at time points (from 0.

Interactions between sewage sludge-amended soil and earthworms--comparison between Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei composting species.

Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly technology, where earthworms are introduced in the waste, inter alia sewage sludge, to cooperate with microorganisms and enhance decomposition of organic matter. The main aims of the present study was to determine the influence of two different earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei, on the changes of selected metallic trace elements content in substratum during vermicomposting process using three different sewage sludge mainly differentiated by their metal contents. Final vermicompost has shown a slight reduction in Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb, while the Zn concentration tends to increase.

Immune system participates in brain regeneration and restoration of reproduction in the earthworm Dendrobaena veneta.

Earthworm decerebration causes temporary inhibition of reproduction which is mediated by certain brain-derived neurohormones; thus, cocoon production is an apposite supravital marker of neurosecretory center functional recovery during brain regeneration. The core aim of the present study was to investigate aspects of the interactions of nervous and immune systems during brain regeneration in adult Dendrobaena veneta (Annelida; Oligochaeta). Surgical brain extirpation was combined, either with (i) maintenance of immune-competent coelomic cells (coelomocytes) achieved by surgery on prilocaine-anesthetized worms or (ii) prior extrusion of fluid-suspended coelomocytes by electrostimulation.

Dermal exposure of Eisenia andrei earthworms: Effects of heavy metals on metallothionein and phytochelatin synthase gene expressions in coelomocytes.

Parameters such as total number of coelomocytes, riboflavin content in coelomocytes, expression of genes implied in metal homeostasis, and detoxification mechanisms can be used as biomarkers to assess the impact of metals on annelids. Defense biomarkers (detoxification gene expressions and coelomocyte parameters) were investigated in the ecotoxicologically important species Eisenia andrei following in vivo exposure to 5 different metals (zinc, copper, nickel, lead, and cadmium) at known concentrations. Coelomocyte numbers and riboflavin content were not affected by metallic exposure, but metal-specific gene expression variations were evidenced.

Effects of anesthetic compounds on responses of earthworms to electrostimulation.

Earthworms play an important role in biomedical research, and some surgical procedures require anesthesia. Anesthetic treatments used so far usually induce convulsive body movements connected with extrusion of coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid that may affect experimental results. Extensive movements connected with the expulsion of coelomic fluid are exploited by immunologists as a method of harvesting immunocompetent coelomocytes from worms subjected to mild electrostimulation (4.

Coelomocyte-derived fluorescence and DNA markers of composting earthworm species.

Supravital species identification of morphologically similar syntopic earthworms inhabiting dung and compost heaps or those from commercial cultures is difficult. The aim of the studies was to find out non-invasive species-specific markers for proper segregation of earthworm species from a dense mixed colony of waste decomposers. Worms were segregated according to external characteristics into Eisenia andrei, Eisenia fetida, and Dendrobaena veneta, and left for reproduction and analysis of non-invasively retrieved coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid and/or species-specific partial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in DNA extracted from amputated tail tips of adults and their offspring.

Riboflavin deprivation inhibits macrophage viability and activity - a study on the RAW 264.7 cell line.

Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, as a precursor of the coenzymes FAD and FMN, has an indirect influence on many metabolic processes and determines the proper functioning of several systems, including the immune system. In the human population, plasma riboflavin concentration varies from 3·1 nM (in a moderate deficiency, e.g.

Modulation of zymosan-induced peritonitis by riboflavin co-injection, pre-injection or post-injection in male Swiss mice.

Aims: We compared the effects of riboflavin pre-injection, co-injection and post-injection on several symptoms of zymosan-induced peritonitis in male Swiss mice. Additionally, the effects of i.p.

Effects of nickel, zinc, and lead-contaminated soil on burrowing rate and coelomocytes of the earthworm, Allolobophora chlorotica.

We have shown previously that stubby worms Allolobophora chlorotica are sensitive to environmental stress, including metal-polluted soil. In order to discern the mechanisms of this sensitivity, adult (clitellate) Al. chlorotica were exposed in the laboratory to soil samples soaked with water (control) or Ni (1 and 2 mg/kg), Zn (1.

Strain-specific effects of riboflavin supplementation on zymosan-induced peritonitis in C57BL/6J, BALB/c and CBA mice.

Aims: We investigated the effects of riboflavin (vitamin B2) on the kinetics of zymosan-induced peritonitis in three strains of mice.

Main Methods: Peritonitis was induced in males of C57BL/6J, BALB/c and CBA mice by intraperitoneal injection of zymosan (40 mg/kg) or zymosan supplemented with riboflavin (50mg/kg). During the first 45 min of inflammation the pain symptoms were scored.

Characteristics of immune-competent amoebocytes non-invasively retrieved from populations of the sentinel earthworm Lumbricus rubellus (Annelida; Oligochaeta; Lumbricidae) inhabiting metal polluted field soils.

Lumbricus rubellus is a cosmopolitan earthworm devoid of riboflavin-storing eleocytes; its immune competent coelomocytes are predominantly amoebocytes. Our aim was to determine whether amoebocyte cytometrics in L. rubellus are robust biomarkers for innate immunological responses to environmental pollutants.

Metal-specific effects on metallothionein gene induction and riboflavin content in coelomocytes of Allolobophora chlorotica.

Metal pollution affects earthworm coelomocytes, including their differential counts, riboflavin content and metallothioneins (MT) involved in metal homoeostasis and detoxification. The present work shows effects of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb at the same molarity (1mM) on coelomocytes of Allolobophora chlorotica after 2-day worm dermal exposure to metal chlorides. Numbers of coelomocytes/eleocytes extruded by electric shock and amounts of riboflavin in coelomocyte lysates were significantly decreased in Cu-exposed worms, less diminished in response to Ni, Zn, Cd, and unaffected by Pb.

Riboflavin mobilization from eleocyte stores in the earthworm Dendrodrilus rubidus inhabiting aerially-contaminated Ni smelter soil.

A 6-week reciprocal transfer laboratory exposure experiment was conducted with two populations of the epigeic earthworm Dendrodrilus rubidus; one population inhabited a site approx. 200 m downwind of an active Ni smelter co-contaminated with Ni and Cu (3648 and 977 microg g(-1)d.w.