The mutual relationship of earthworms and microorganisms

0564867 - MBÚ 2023 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Škanta, František - Procházková, Petra - Roubalová, Radka - Bilej, Martin
The mutual relationship of earthworms and microorganisms.
Bulletin Československé společnosti mikrobiologické. Roč. 2018, č. 1 (2018), s. 16, č. článku 31. ISSN 0009-0646
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : earthworm * microorganism * ecology * immune system * PRR * AMP
OECD category: Microbiology
Method of publishing: Limited access
file:///C:/Users/Spurnae/Downloads/6368ebd515a91-Bulletin_CSSM_Skanta_2020.pdf

Earthworms are important soil invertebrate organisms that participate in nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and in the formation of the soil profile from the physical, chemical and also microbial point of view. Soils are considered the most microbially diverse environments on Earth. Therefore all invertebrate species living in soil need to possess a complex immune system. Both coelomic cavity and digestive tract of earthworms represent open systems with permanent contact with soil microorganisms. Intestine of earthworms contains significantly higher amount of microorganisms in comparison with coelom. Interactions between microorganisms and mucosal immune system of the gut are more complex and they, besides others, include digestive enzymes which can promote molecular recognition of bacterial components by immune system.
In addition to microorganisms, the soil is also reached by a great variety of organic and inorganic pollutants earthworms have to cope with. The adverse effects of pollutants on earthworms and the response to these compounds is reflected by higher expression of various defense molecules.

Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0336431