Journal of Environmental Biology

Copulatory behaviour, copulation process and cocoon biology in earthworms–A review

P.S. Chaudhuri* and A. Dey     

Department of Zoology, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar - 799 022, India

Received: 14 August 2024                   Revised: 08 November 2024                   Accepted: 20 January 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : drpsc1957@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8906-0306

Abstract

Earthworms, despite having both female and male reproductive systems in the same individual (hermaphrodite), generally practice cross-fertilization. This is due to the fact that in earthworms, the testis matures earlier than the ovary. So, they generally do not undergo self-fertilization. The occurrence of parthenogenesis is not rare in earthworms. Probable involvement of extensive courtship behaviour involving repeated short touches with sensory prostomium of the copulating partners was recorded in Lumbricidae. During conjugation, the partners lie close together with their ventral body parts, keeping their heads in opposite directions. During sperm transfer, the spermathecal aperture of one individual makes intimate contact with the male genital aperture of the corresponding partner.

The mucus secretion from the clitellar section covers the opposing partners. Copulation lasts for about one hour. The worms move backwards, drawing the ‘slime secretion tube’ over the head. When the earthworms are entirely free, the ends of the tube close to form the cocoon. The shape of the cocoon is genus-specific. But its development time varies with species.This paper aims to review the process of copulation, cocoon formation, morphology, breeding strategies, neurosecretory control of copulation and cocoon production in earthworms.

Key words: Cocoon formation, Earthworms, Hermaphroditism, Neurosecretory cell, Parthenogenesis, Reproductive strategy

Copyright © 2025 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).