Site Specialization and Microbial Sensitivity of Intestinal Nematodes in Compost Earthworms
African nightcrawlers have been introduced to Taiwan along with two intestinal nematodes, Mesidionema praecomasculatis and Thelastoma endoscolicum. Both parasites exhibit site specialization within distinct regions of the host earthworm's gut. The pinworm T. endoscolicum thrives in gut regions rich in host-associated bacteria. Its infection rate declines when the host is exposed to restricted food supply or treated with the antibiotic streptomycin, both of which reduce gut bacterial abundance. In contrast, M. praecomasculatis shows less sensitivity to variations in gut bacterial levels. Since African nightcrawlers are now widely used in composting systems, the presence of these intestinal nematodes—and their varying prevalence under different farming conditions—may significantly influence the efficiency of vermicomposting.
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