Question

What are red worms?

Answer 1

Hint: The scientific name of the redworm is Eisenia fetida, where it is commonly called redworms and they are also called brandling worms or tiger worms, etc. This is the species of the earthworms, which are adapted to the decaying of organic materials.

Complete answer:
- Redworms have a group of bristles which are called setae on which each segment moves in and out to grip the nearby surface where the worms stretch and contract where the muscles push themselves forward and backward.
- Redworms are generally used for the vermicomposting of both the domestic and industrial organic matters.
- Usually, the redworms are native to European countries where later they are introduced to every other continent.
- Even these redworms are tested for vermicomposting by using them in a flushless toilet.
- These worms have a unique and natural defense system, in their coelomic fluid, where the cells of coelomic fluid are called coelomocytes, where those cells secrete a protein called lysenin, which generally forms the pore-forming toxin.
- As we know that redworms belong to the species of earthworms, this is hermaphrodite and they have uniparental reproduction, and this reproduction is between copulating individuals.
- The 2 worms join together at the clitela during the reproduction, and these two worms exchange the sperm.
- After the fertilization, they excrete the cocoons and they are lemon-shaped, and pale yellow which again becomes brown, and these cocoons are visible with naked eyes.

Note: That toxin released by the redworms acts as defensive and they invade the harming cells, and if the redworms are handled roughly they release the pungent liquid, which has a foul smell, and they have anti-predator adaptation.