| Schedule and Content for One Day Earthworm Taxonomy Workshop |
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Presented by Samuel James
Target audience:
Biologists with some basic knowledge of invertebrate zoology, comfortable using microscopes and simple dissecting tools such as needle probes, small forceps, scalpel or razor blades.
Workshop goals:
1. Familiarize participants with earthworm external anatomy to enable preliminary ID of common invasive/peregrine species in the western hemisphere.
2. Provide basic knowledge of internal anatomy sufficient to conclude an identification of said species, in cases where internal anatomy must be checked.
3 (optional). Introduce the external and internal features of the earthworm families native to Latin American countries.
List 1. Common invasive/peregrine species in the relevant regions: Pontoscolex corethrurus, Diacheta thomasi, Onychochaeta windlei, Polypheretima elongata, Amynthas corticis, Amynthas gracilis, Perionyx excavatus, Drawida barwelli, Dichogaster bolaui, Dichogaster saliens, Microscolex phosphoreus, Microscolex dubius, Ocnerodrilus occidentalis, Aporrectodea spp. Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei, other Lumbricidae, Eudrilus eugeniae.
List 2. Families native to Latin America: Acanthodrilidae, Almidae, Glossoscolecidae, Megascolecidae (?), Ocnerodrilidae, Sparganophilidae, Tumakidae.
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First session: Invasive and peregrine worm ID. 30 minute lecture/slide show on the external anatomical points. 90 minutes lab time studying examples of the most common invasives.
Second session: Continued invasive and peregrines, 30 minutes lecture/slide show on internal anatomy plus demo of dissection. 90 minutes lab time.
Optional session (depending on demand, availability of instructors): Families native to Latin America
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Participants could be encouraged to bring the worms they want to ID from their home areas or research sites, and their own tools as much as possible.
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Small forceps, two needle probes, one scalpel or razor blade, small iris scissors, small dissecting pan (minimum longest dimension 10 cm, minimum shortest dimension 6 cm) that will fit on the scope, and 10-15 insect pins medium to fine diameter (size 0, 00 or 1). Pins need not be stainless steel but this would be better because even in dry climates, repeated immersion will rust the normal pins and they will be hard to use.
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| Preservation Instructions |
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Collect, wash worms in water, and kill by one of these methods: 1) drop into boiling water one at a time and remove them quickly. 2) drop one at a time into 50% alcohol. Remove when motion stops. 3) anesthetize in 5% alcohol, add small amounts of alcohol over a ten minute period, until worms are totally relaxed and do not respond to touch or to additional alcohol.
Then place them in a pan, straighten as much as possible and immerse them in excess 5% formaldehyde. Cover securely away from danger of animals or humans, in well ventilated place. After 24 hours replace the formaldehyde. After another 24 hours, replace the formaldehyde with tap water, wait two or more hours and replace the water, repeat but this time the worms can be put in a bottle and placed in refrigerator. Replace the water one or two more times, and then put in 80% alcohol. The water steps are to remove formaldehyde and to preserve the health of the people who will look at the worms. A water and alcohol resistant paper label, written in alcohol resistant ink or dark pencil, should be place inside the bottle. Label data should include precise location, date of collection, and name of collector.
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