Stable isotopes reveal that the calciferous gland of earthworms is a CO2-fixing organ

Briones, María Jesús Iglesias; Ostle, Nicholas J.; Pierce, Trevor G.. 2008 Stable isotopes reveal that the calciferous gland of earthworms is a CO2-fixing organ. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40 (2). 554-557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.09.012

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.09.012

Abstract/Summary

Since they were first described in 1829, earthworm calciferous glands have intrigued invertebrate anatomists and physiologists alike. These organs are present in all species of the family Lumbricidae, occurring in a range of morphological forms. A common feature of the glands is that constituent secretory cells produce a concentrated suspension of calcium carbonate. A number of possible biological roles have been suggested for the secretion (i.e. egg formation, pH buffering of the blood and ingested food, excretion and respiration) but the true function has not yet been demonstrated satisfactorily. Here, we investigated the putative respiratory function of these organs by exposing the worms to 13C-labelled CO2 and glucose and measuring tracer incorporation into the body wall, the gland tissues and the calcareous secretion. Our results support the view that these organs provide a mechanism of CO2 regulation in their tissues and that both environmental and metabolic CO2 can be fixed in this way.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.09.012
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > BG01 Measuring and modelling trace gas, aerosol and carbon > BG01.2 Carbon
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	0038-0717
Additional Keywords:	earthworms, 13CO2, CO2 fixation, 13Glucose, stable isotopes
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Biology and Microbiology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	19 Mar 2008 12:35 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2433

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.09.012

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > BG01 Measuring and modelling trace gas, aerosol and carbon > BG01.2 Carbon

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore
UKCEH Fellows

ISSN:

0038-0717

Additional Keywords:

earthworms, 13CO2, CO2 fixation, 13Glucose, stable isotopes