Reproductive advantage of parthenogenetic earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides over the parental amphymictic species A. caliginosa (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae)

TitleReproductive advantage of parthenogenetic earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides over the parental amphymictic species A. caliginosa (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsMezhzherin, SV, Chaika, YY, Zhalay, EI
Abbreviated Key TitleDopov. Nac. akad. nauk Ukr.
DOI10.15407/dopovidi2020.02.076
Issue2
SectionBiology
Pagination76-81
Date Published2/2020
LanguageRussian
Abstract

A comparative study of the individual fecundity of parthenogenetic A. trapezoides and amphimictic A. caliginosa earthworms is carried out under laboratory conditions. It has been established that the apomictic species has a higher reproductive potential than the amphimictic one. This is manifested both in the greater number of cocoons produced and in the number of surviving juvenile individuals. Obviously, despite the absence of meiosis, the efficiency of ovogenesis in triploid A. trapezoides is higher than in diploid A. caliginosa. Ultimately, this proves that meiosis is not always the most effective way to produce gametes in animals, and amphimixis is the most effective form of reproduction. The high reproductive potential of parthenogenetic worms, combined with the all-female structure of the populations and the ecological plasticity obviously provide them with a wide distribution, even in places and regions that are not very favorable historically.
KeywordsAporrectodea, earthworms, fertility, parthenogenesis
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