Population Ecology of Vermitechnologically Suitable Earthworm, Perionyx sansibaricus (Michaelsen) in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
Samir Kumar Mandal *
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, Jharkhand, India.
Rohit Srivastava
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, Jharkhand, India.
Sheelu Kachhap
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, Jharkhand, India and Department of Education, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj (Allahabad) 211002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Neha Swati Baxla
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, Jharkhand, India.
Shalini
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, Jharkhand, India.
Sweta Subarna
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, Jharkhand, India.
Manoranjan Prasad Sinha
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834008, Jharkhand, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The paper discusses the rate of reproduction, population growth, and density of the earthworm, Perionyx sansibaricus. The key findings are as follows: 1. Perionyx sansibaricus exhibited bimodality in its reproductive strategy, with two peaks observed in December 2021 and July 2022, recording values of 1.06 and 1.28, respectively. 2. The rate of population growth peaked at +3.202 in July 2022, when environmental resistance was at its lowest, and reached a minimum of -0.875 in June 2022. 3. Population density was highest at 9045/m² in August 2022 and lowest at 345/m² in June 2022, with juvenile proportions ranging from 8.33% to 27.70%, immature proportions from 44.50% to 100%, and mature proportions from 16.21% to 31.89%. 4. The biomass of Perionyx sansibaricus peaked at 2111.18 g live weight/m² in August 2022 and dropped to a minimum of 60.38 g live weight/m² in June 2022. High density and rapid reproduction rates confirm that Perionyx sansibaricus is an efficient agent of vermitechnology.
Keywords: Population, ecology, vermitechnology, earthworm