Microorganisms associated to the epithelium of the digestive tract of Enantiodrilus borellii Cognetti, 1902 (Annelida: Glossoscolecidae)

Abstract :

Earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta) essentially contribute to terrestrial ecosystems, modifying soil’s physical and chemical properties with the presence of bacterial microflora in the digestive tract. Bacteria associated to the intestinal epithelium and the adhesion forms that allow their presence in the digestive tract are identified through the techniques with scanning electron microscopy. Results show microorganisms that were not dragged by washing in the fixation technique used.  Adhered colonies are observed in the anterior part of the intestine, at calciferous glands level; whereas they are not observed in the posterior part of the intestine, at typholosole level.  The morphology of strains is cocci, streptococci and bacilli, constituting colonies tangled among cilia of the digestive epithelium cells. Individual fixation structures are not visualized, being mucous secretion the way of aggregate adhesion


Keyword :

Annelida, digestive tract, microorganisms, epithelium


Author(s) : Picón, M. C., Teisaire, E. S., Nieto, O. L., Albarracín, V.
Downloads : 446
Published Issue : 2019 Vol. 14 Number 1


2019 Vol. 14 Number 1