College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2025-02-04 13:16:28
Major
Biology
Honors Course
Biol 499
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Fall 2024
Abstract
Amynthas gracilis, or Alabama jumper worms, are a species of earthworms invasive to North America that hail from Asia. These worms are known to have an effect on the levels of macro-nutrients in the soil, as well as make alterations to the structure of the soil. These changes to soil composition and structure alter the soil’s ability to retain moisture and have been shown to negatively impact European species of earthworms such as Dutch Reds (Eisenia hortensis), Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida,) and Canadian Nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris). These effects were observed and quantified by monitoring and recording the populations and biomasses of communities kept in their own soil as well as soil that had been previously inhabited by Amynthas gracilis. The Eisenia hortensis, Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris populations that were housed in soil treated by Amynthas gracilis showed an increased and accelerated rate of die off compared to their counterparts kept within native untreated soils.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Randall Mitchell
First Reader
Dr. Robert Duff
Second Reader
Cynthia Yoder
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Brian Bagatto
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Gillis, Elizabeth, "Research into the Effects of Invasive Earthworm Species" (2024). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1936.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1936
