Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:33:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_greice_de_almeida_schiavon.pdf: 2595058 bytes, checksum: b92d92d5c319dfe3fef953ccaf262aed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-12 / This study was conducted on Estação Experimental Cascata, Embrapa Clima Temperado, in Pelotas, and on one family farm, in Morro Redondo. The objective of the study was to evaluate the scientific and local knowledge about the influences of management practices on soil fauna in ecological production systems. The methodology for samples of soil fauna, in each season, was done using the TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility). Local knowledge was assessed using semi-structured interviews. The data analysis was done using th ecological indices as explanatory tools, and also the multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis - PCA) to evaluate the influence of management practices on soil fauna. In the first chapter, the ecological horticultural production systems cultivated under laminar composting with manure (CE) and mulch on the soil (CM), at Embrapa, showed the best values of soil fauna diversity, while treatment with frequent soil mechanization (MF) obtained a strong correlation with enchytraeids in all seasons. In the second chapter, results from interviews showed that the studied family recognize the role of earthworms in soil and understand the influence of the soil practices on soil fauna. It s possible to conclude that local knowledge is a valuable contribution to scientific knowledge to assess the influence of management practices on soil fauna. Moreover, the treatments CE and CM demonstrated their importance for to maintaining the soil diversity and for decreasing the hand labor in ecological horticultural production systems. / Este trabalho foi desenvolvido na Estação Experimental Cascata, Embrapa Clima Temperado no município de Pelotas e em uma propriedade agrícola familiar no município de Morro Redondo. O objetivo geral do estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento local e acadêmico sobre as influências das práticas de manejo na fauna edáfica nos sistemas de produção de base ecológica. A metodologia para a coleta da fauna edáfica, a cada estação do ano, foi baseada no programa TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility). O conhecimento local foi avaliado a partir de entrevista semiestruturada com a família agricultora. Para avaliação dos dados foram utilizados como ferramentas explicativas, os índices ecológicos, e a análise multivariada, conhecida como Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) para correlação das influências das práticas de manejo na fauna edáfica. No primeiro capítulo foi possível observar no sistema de produção de base ecológica de hortaliças da Estação Experimental Cascata, que os tratamentos com compostagem laminar com esterco bovino (CE) e cobertura morta sobre o solo (CM) apresentaram os melhores valores de diversidade da fauna edáfica, enquanto o tratamento com mecanização frequente do solo (MF) obteve uma forte correlação com os enquitreídeos em todas as estações do ano. No segundo capítulo, realizado através de entrevista com a família agricultora, foi ressaltada a função das minhocas no solo, além da compreensão que as práticas de manejo influenciam a presença da fauna edáfica. Com isso, foi possível concluir que o conhecimento local é um importante aliado ao conhecimento acadêmico para avaliar a influência das práticas de manejo na fauna edáfica. Além disso, os tratamentos CE e CM demonstraram sua importância para a manutenção da diversidade do solo e diminuição da mão-de-obra nos sistemas de produção de base ecológica de hortaliças.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-04-04T17:26:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermerossigorni.pdf: 1287469 bytes, checksum: 646f7d2690ba7bbe109e210c664f269b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-04-06T10:42:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermerossigorni.pdf: 1287469 bytes, checksum: 646f7d2690ba7bbe109e210c664f269b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-06T10:42:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermerossigorni.pdf: 1287469 bytes, checksum: 646f7d2690ba7bbe109e210c664f269b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-23 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Este estudo visa ao levantamento de espécies e um melhor entendimento da distribuição espacial da Classe Oligochaeta em córregos de baixa ordem do Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão (PECJ) (SP - Brasil). Para isto, foi elaborado um trabalho abordando três aspectos apresentados nesta dissertação em forma de capítulos: 1) levantamento da riqueza de espécies de Oligochaeta; 2) distribuição espacial e temporal das espécies de Oligochaeta; 3) distribuição em meso-escala (mesohabitats) das espécies de Oligochaeta. As amostras da fauna, utilizando-se um amostrador tipo “Surber”, foram realizadas em trechos dos córregos Galharada, Campo do meio e Serrote durante o período de maio de 2005 a maio de 2006. De maneira geral, nossos resultados indicam que: 1) apesar das características peculiares dos córregos de baixa ordem do PECJ, a fauna Oligochaeta apresentou-se bastante rica; 2) a utilização de técnicas refinadas no processamento das amostras resultou em uma cobertura amostral satisfatória, fazendo-se necessária em trabalhos que visam ao levantamento de espécies de Oligochaeta em áreas de preservação ambiental; 3) Os processos hidrológicos dos córregos, juntamente ao aporte alimentar parecem ser os principais fatores de influência na composição da comunidade de Oligochaeta; 4) As espécies de Tubificidae demonstraram maior afinidade por habitats livres de correnteza contendo certa quantidade de detritos orgânicos, enquanto que as espécies de Naididae preferem habitats com certa correnteza onde há retenção de detritos vegetais. Nossos achados remontam à importância da manutenção de áreas preservadas para a conservação da biodiversidade, visto que qualquer tipo de alteração nesses ambientes pode acarretar drásticas perdas na composição das comunidades. / This study aims to survey species and to better understand the spatial distribution of the Class Oligochaeta in low order streams at Campos do Jordão State Park (PECJ) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. For this purpose, three aspects were examined and presented as chapters in this dissertation: 1) a survey of the variety of Oligochaeta; 2) spatial and temporal distribution of Oligochaeta species; 3) mesoscale distribution (mesohabitats) of Oligochaeta species. Samples of the fauna were collected between May 2005 and May 2006 in stretches of Galharada, Campo do Meio and Serrote streams using a Surber sampler. In general, our results indicate that: 1) despite the peculiar characteristics of PECJ’s low order streams, the Oligochaeta fauna was considered quite rich; 2) the use of fine techniques in sample processing resulted in satisfactory sample coverage, making this use necessary for surveys of Oligochaeta species in environmental conservation areas; 3) apparently, the main factors influencing the Oligochaeta community composition are hydrological processes in the streams and food intake; 4) Tubificidae species showed greater affinity for non-flowing habitats with organic debris, while Naididae species showed greater affinity for flowing habitats where vegetable debris are retained. Our findings point to the importance of maintaining preserved areas for the conservation of biodiversity, as any alteration to these environments may cause drastic losses in the communities’ composition.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Copper oxychloride is a fungicide that is extensively used in vineyards in the Western Cape to treat and prevent fungal diseases. It is however not clear what the effects are on soil organisms, which play an important role in soil fertility, in South African soils. There is paucity of data linking results obtained in the laboratory to effects observed in the field, which will only become useful if a clear relation can be demonstrated. The aims of this study were to: ~ Determine the effects of copper oxychloride on field populations of earthworms and simultaneously monitor lysosomal membrane stability, measured as neutral red retention time (NRRT). ~ Validate experimental field studies by doing inventories of earthworm populations in long-term sprayed vineyards. ~ Determine the LC50 of copper oxychloride and simultaneously measuring NRRT, and linking them to the experimental field studies. ~ Conduct bioassays, burrowing activity- and soil-avoidance experiments to investigate their relations to earthworm population responses in the experimental field studies. Earthworms were sampled by hand-sorting in the field tests on treated and untreated field plots in the Western- (October 1998 - July 1999) and Northern Cape (April 1998 - October 1999). Soil samples and worms were analysed for copper contents and coelomocytes of live earthworms were used to conduct the neutral red retention assays. Acute toxicity tests were conducted over a period of 28 days during which the earthworms (Eisenia fetiday were exposed to different concentrations of copper oxychloride. Change in biomass and mortality were measured as endpoints, as well as NRRT. Bioassays, burrowing activity and soil-avoidance were conducted by exposing Aporrectodea caliginosa to grassland- and vineyard soil as well as grassland soil spiked with 60 J.1g.g-1copper in the form of copper oxychloride. Growth and mortality were recorded in the bioassays as well as copper concentrations In earthworm body tissues and substrates used over a period of28 days. Burrowing activity and soil-avoidance were determined by measuring the length of tunnels burrowed by A. caliginosa in soil profiles over a period of 4 days under different exposure regimes. Results from the field tests showed that spraying of copper oxychloride had a negative effect on earthworm populations at the prescribed application rates. NRR T in earthworms from the exposure plots was significantly (p<0.05) lower after just one spraying application. It was concluded that spraying copper oxychloride at prescribed application rates caused a decrease in field populations of earthworms and that NRRT was an early and reliable biomarker since it was indicative of later effects observed at the population level. Results obtained from the field inventory of earthworms in vineyards at Nietvoorbij, Robertson end Worcester confirmed data from the two field studies. The calculated LC50 of 882.78 I1g.g-1 for copper oxychloride and 519.40 I1g.g-1 for copper was ecologically relevant if a safety factor of 10 was applied. NRRT which manifested earlier than effects on biomass change in the acute toxicity tests, were significant when viewed against the background of responses of field populations of earthworms. From the bioassay experiments it was found that A. caliginosa exposed to copper oxychloride spiked soil had significantly (p<0.05) higher weight loss and mortality than those in grassland- and vineyard soil. This indicated that changes in biomass and mortality were indicative of population responses in the field and can be considered as ecologically relevant. Burrowing activity of A. caliginosa was significantly (p<0.05) lower in vineyard and copper oxychloride spiked soil than in grassland soil. Similarly in the soil avoidance experiments it was found that A. caliginosa avoided vineyard- and copper oxychloride contaminated soil. It is therefore concluded that burrowing activity and soil avoidance were ecologically relevant endpoints since they corresponded with population responses in the field. The study thus revealed that the long-term usage of copper oxychloride could have negative effects on earthworm populations. The spraying of copper oxychloride can have important implications on the sustainable use of agricultural soils since earthworms and other soil organisms play such an important role in soil fertility. The use of biomarkers and other ecotoxicological indicators can provide an early warning that soil organisms are under environmental stress. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fungisied koperoksichloried word wyd gebruik in die Wes-Kaap om swamsiektes in wingerde te beheer en te voorkom. Dit is egter nie bekend wat die effek daarvan op Suid Afrikaanse grondbiota, wat 'n belangrike rol speel in grondvrugbaarheid, is nie. Daar is ook 'n tekort aan inligting wat die resultate van laboratoriumondersoeke in verband bring met veldstudies. Die doelstellings van die studie was om: ~ Die effek van koperoksichloried op erdwurmpopulasies in die veld te ondersoek en terselfdertyd membraanstabiliteit, as moontlike biomerker, gemeet as neutraal rooi retensietye (NRRT), te monitor. ~ Die geldigheid van eksperimentele veldstudies te toets deur ook grondanalises te doen in wingerde wat oor langtermyn met koperoksichloried bespuit is. ~ Die LC50 van koperoksichloried vir erdwurms te bepaal en terselfdertyd NRR T te meet asook om dié gegewens in verband te bring met die resultate van seisoenale veldstudies oor die uitwerking op erdwurmpopulasies. ~ Bio-evaluerings ("bioassays"), tonnelaktiwiteit- en vermydingseksperimente te onderneem en die verband tussen die toksiteitstoetse en populasieresponse, soos waargeneem in die veld, te ondersoek. Erdwurms is versamel deur handsortering tydens die veldtoetse in die Wes- (Oktober 1998 - Julie 1999) en Noord-Kaap (April 1998 - Oktober 1999) op kontrole en bespuite persele. Grondmonsters en erdwurms is spektrofotometries geanaliseer om koperinhoude te bepaal. Die selomosiete van lewende wurms is gebruik om NRR T te bepaal. Akute toksisiteitstoetse is uitgevoer oor 'n tydperk van 28 dae waartydens Eisenia fetida blootgestel is aan verskillende koperoksichloried konsentrasies. Veranderinge in biomassa en mortaliteit is bepaal asook NRRT. Bioevaluerings ("bioassays"), tonnelaktiwiteit- en vermydingseksperimente IS uitgevoer deur Aporrectodea caliginosa bloot te stel aan grasveld- en wingerdgrond asook grasveldgrond wat met koperoksichloried gekontamineer is. Groei en mortalitiet is bepaal in die "bioassays" asook koperkonsentrasies in die grond en erdwurm liggaamsweefsels oor 'n tydperk van 28 dae. Tonnelaktiwiteit en grondvermyding is bepaal deur die lengte van tonnels wat deur A. caliginosa gegrawe is te meet oor 'n tydperk van vier dae vir die verskillende blootgestelde groepe. Die resultate het aangedui dat koperoksichloriedbespuiting 'n negatiewe invloed het op erdwurmpopulasies teen die voorgeskrewe toedieningsprogram. NRRT in erdwurms van die blootstellingperseel, was beduidend (p<0.05) laer na 'n enkele bespuiting. Daar is verder bevind dat NRR T 'n betroubare en vroeë biomerker is, aangesien dit 'n aanduiding gegee het van latere effekte wat op populasievlak na vore getree het. Veldopnames in Nietvoorbij, Robertson en Worcester het die geldigheid van data verkry uit die veldstudies ondersteun. Die berekende LC50 van 882.78 ug.g" vir koperoksichloried en 519.40 ug.g" VIr koper was ekologies relevant indien 'n veiligheidsfaktor van 10 toegepas is. NRRT se ekologiese relevansie is bevestig deur dit te vergelyk met response wat in die veldtoetse waargeneem is. Deur bioevalueringseksperimente is bevind dat gewigsverlies en mortaliteit van A. caliginosa beduidend hoër was in koperoksichloried gekontamineerde grond as in die grasveld- (kontrole) en wingerdgronde. Veranderinge in biomassa en mortalitiet was aanduidend van populasieresponse soos waargeneem in die veldstudies en kan dus as ekologies relevante eindpunte beskou word. Tonnelaktiwiteit van A. caliginosa was beduidend (p<0.05) laer in wingerd- en koperoksichloried gekontamineerde grond as in grasveldgrond. Dieselfde is gevind in die grondvermydingstoetse waar A. caliginosa wingerd- en koperoksichloried gekontamineerde grond vermy het. Dit kan dus afgelei dat tonnelaktiwiteit en grondvermyding ook ekologies bruikbare eindpunte is aangesien dit verband hou met populasieresponse soos waargeneem in die veldstudies. Hierdie studie het getoon dat die herhaalde gebruik van koperoksichloried 'n nadelige invloed kan hê op erdwurmbevolkings. In die lig van die belangrike rol wat erdwurms en ander grondorganismes speel in grondvrugbaarheid kan die oormatige gebruik van hierdie fungisied ernstige implikasies inhou vir volhoubare benutting van landbougronde. Die gebruik van biomerkers en ander ekotoksikologiese eindpunte kan egter as vroeë waarskuwingsmetode dien dat die grondorganismes onder omgewingstres verkeer.

Stormen 2005 drabbade södra Sverige och skövlade nästan 70 miljoner m3 timmer på en natt, varför mycket timmer lagrades i Kisasjön. Syftet med detta arbete är att undersöka om bottenfaunan i Kisasjön påverkats av timmerlagringen genom låga syrehalter och ändrat bottensubstrat. Även den närbelägna Knoppetorpssjön dit Kisasjöns vatten rinner undersöktes. På vardera tio djup under språngskiktet i varje sjö togs fem ekmanhugg. Syreförhållandena mättes vid varje lokal och sedimentet beskrevs. Syrehalten var nära noll vid botten på lokaler djupare än 6 m redan tidigt under sommaren. Totalt fångades 2136 individer fördelade på 10 taxa. Sjöarna innehöll i stort sett samma taxa men antalet individer skiljde. Chaoborus flavicans dominerade i Knoppetorpssjön och ökade med djupet, medan de andra grupperna var vanligare på mindre djupt vatten. Oligochaeta dominerade i Kisasjön och minskade med djupet. Chironomini och C. flavicans vara dock något vanligare på djupa bottnar. En tidigare undersökning i Kisasjön visade på liknande artsammansättning. Alla taxa är anpassade till ett liv i syrebrist. Oligochaeta, Chironomidae och C. flavicans kan lagra syre för senare bruk. C. flavicans söker dagtid skydd undan fiskpredation nära den syrefria sedimenten, vilket troligen förklarar dess höga antal i Knoppetorpssjön. Lägre antal i Kisasjön kan bero på förorenat vatten, kanske oljeutsläpp, medan Oligochaeta kan ha högre toleransnivå. Att det var färre Oligochaeta i Knoppetorpssjön kan bero på mindre mängd organiskt material (bark) där.

<p>Stormen 2005 drabbade södra Sverige och skövlade nästan 70 miljoner m3 timmer på en natt, varför mycket timmer lagrades i Kisasjön. Syftet med detta arbete är att undersöka om bottenfaunan i Kisasjön påverkats av timmerlagringen genom låga syrehalter och ändrat bottensubstrat. Även den närbelägna Knoppetorpssjön dit Kisasjöns vatten rinner undersöktes. På vardera tio djup under språngskiktet i varje sjö togs fem ekmanhugg. Syreförhållandena mättes vid varje lokal och sedimentet beskrevs. Syrehalten var nära noll vid botten på lokaler djupare än 6 m redan tidigt under sommaren. Totalt fångades 2136 individer fördelade på 10 taxa. Sjöarna innehöll i stort sett samma taxa men antalet individer skiljde. Chaoborus flavicans</p><p>dominerade i Knoppetorpssjön och ökade med djupet, medan de andra grupperna var vanligare på mindre djupt vatten. Oligochaeta dominerade i Kisasjön och minskade med djupet. Chironomini och C. flavicans vara dock något vanligare på djupa bottnar. En tidigare undersökning i Kisasjön visade på liknande artsammansättning. Alla taxa är anpassade till ett liv i syrebrist. Oligochaeta,</p><p>Chironomidae och C. flavicans kan lagra syre för senare bruk. C. flavicans söker dagtid skydd undan fiskpredation nära den syrefria sedimenten, vilket troligen förklarar dess höga antal i Knoppetorpssjön. Lägre antal i Kisasjön kan bero på</p><p>förorenat vatten, kanske oljeutsläpp, medan Oligochaeta kan ha högre toleransnivå. Att det var färre Oligochaeta i Knoppetorpssjön kan bero på mindre mängd organiskt material (bark) där.</p>

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Concern over sediment toxicity has increased the need for toxicity test information with organisms that inhabit sediments. Oligochaetes are exposed to toxicants through feeding and direct body contact with aquatic sediments. Chronic testing with oligochaetes has historically focused on tubificids with test lengths of one year or more to encompass several generations. Most naidid oligochaetes have generation times of three to seven days and could provide chronic information in a matter of weeks. The cosmopolitan distributed naidid, Pristina leidyi, was evaluated for use as a toxicity test organism. Results of research conducted includes culture methods, effects of temperature on reproduction, growth rates in a reference sediment, acute toxicity tests, and chronic toxicity tests.

The viability of multicellular aerobic organisms requires the binding and transport of molecular oxygen from the atmosphere to sites of metabolism. In the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, erythrocruorins are freely dissolved multi-subunit protein complexes that serve the same functions as red blood cells The aims of this study were to 1) determine the overall arrangement of hemoglobin chains and non-hemoglobin chains in Lumbricus erythrocruorin, 2) determine the stereochemical determinants specifying erythrocruorin's hierarchical symmetry, and 3) investigate the molecular and chemical basis for the remarkable cooperative binding of ligands to earthworm hemoglobin. Erythrocruorin is a highly cooperative oxygen-carrying protein with Hill coefficients measured at some pH's as high as n = 7.9. Crystallographic analysis of the whole erythrocruorin molecule structure to 5.5 Å resolution reveals a hierarchical organization of 144 oxygen-binding polypeptides and 36 non-hemoglobin linker polypeptide chains. The hemoglobin chains are arranged in a novel dodecameric substructure at the periphery of the complex, whereas 36 linker chains comprise the inner core and projected triple-stranded, helical coiled-coil spokes towards the center of the complex. Interdigitation of these spokes appears crucial for stabilizing the complex. Crystallographic analysis of crystals from isolated hemoglobin chains provides greater detail (resolution = 2.6 Å) and complete atomic models for the hemoglobin polypeptides. Comparison of these models with other hemoglobins reveal unique features in the distal heme pocket, including large aromatic residues at the B10 position in three of the four hemoglobin chains. Aromatic residues at this position have been implicated in other hemoglobins to confer resistance to oxidation. Molecular interactions across each subunit include pH-dependent interactions that are consistent with the observed Bohr effect on oxygen binding. Specifically a π-cation interaction between an arginine of one subunit to a histidine of the opposing subunit is likely an important molecular switch in the allosteric transition from a low to high affInity ligand-binding state.

Thesis (PhD (Botany and Zoology)) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Metals are natural elements of the earth crust usually present at low concentrations in all soils. Although many metals such as cobalt, copper, iron and zinc are essential to living organisms, at elevated concentrations most metals are toxic to organisms living in and on soils. Elevated concentrations of metals are caused either by anthropogenic deposition following remobilisation from the earth crust or are of natural origin. Ultramafic soils do not only pose unfavourable living conditions such as drought and poor organic content, these soils are also characterized by extremely high concentrations of a range of metals known to be toxic under normal circumstances. Ultramafic soils are of high ecological importance as a high proportion of endemic organisms, especially plants, live on these soils. As it is known that earthworms do occur in ultramafic soils, the aims of the present study were to investigate the abilities of earthworms to survive in these soils and the influences of elevated chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese and nickel levels. For the evaluation of the metal background conditions, soils originating from ultramafic rocks of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, Mpumalanga, South Africa were collected and different fractions representing different levels of bioavailability were analyzed for arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese and nickel. To assess the mobile, readily available metal fraction, i.e. Ca2+- exchangeable metal cations, a 0.01 mol/L CaCl2 extraction was performed. To investigate the mobilisable metal fraction, representing the amount of easily remobilisable complexed and carbonated metal ions, a DTPA (di-ethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid) extraction was conducted. In relation to non-ultramafic or anthropogenic contaminated soils, a far lower proportion of metals were extractable by the above mentioned extraction methods. To investigate the availability and effects of these metals on earthworms, two ecophysiologically different species were employed. Aporrectodea caliginosa and Eisenia fetida were long-term exposed to the ultramafic soils collected at the Barberton region and a control soil from a location at Stellenbosch with a known history of no anthropogenic metal contamination. The responses to the ecological stress originating in the ultramafic soils were measured on different levels of earthworm organisation. As endpoints affecting population development, cocoon production, fecundity and viability were evaluated. On individual level, growth, metal body burden and tissue distribution were investigated. As endpoints on subcellular level, the membrane integrity was assessed by the neutral red retention assay, the mitochondrial activity was measured by the MTT colorimetric assay and as a biomarker for the DNA integrity, the comet assay was performed. Focussing on manganese and nickel, the uptake by E. fetida of these metals was investigated with the exclusion of soil related properties using an artificial aqueous medium to draw comparisons to the uptake of these metals in natural soils. The possible development of resistance towards nickel was tested by exposing pre-exposed (for more than 10 generations) E. fetida specimens to ultramafic soils with concentrations of more than 4000 mg/kg nickel. The results showed that, except on the endpoint survival, which was less sensitive than all other bioassays, significant responses to the ultramafic challenge were observed in all earthworm bioassays and on all levels of organisation. The sensitivity of the responses of the earthworms towards the ultramafic conditions was not predictable by the level of organisation. The two species showed different strategies of metal elimination. In A. caliginosa, metals such as nickel, manganese and chromium were transported to the posterior section and the posterior section was subsequently pushed off by autotomization. In E. fetida, metals such as chromium and nickel were sequestered in storage compartments in the coelomic cells or fluid. Other metals, such as cobalt, were not taken up at elevated concentrations. Although an increased accumulation of nickel was observed in E. fetida specimens pre-exposed to nickel, development of resistance or cross resistance was not observed in this species. In contrast, pre-exposed specimen exposed to elevated concentrations of nickel showed a higher sensitivity in terms of survival, indicating the absence of acclimatisation or even genetic adaptation. A comparison of the two species employed indicated that A. caliginosa was less suited for the assessment of the ultramafic soils due to the high individual variation in metal body burden, the mass loss observed and the slow reproduction rate even in the control soils. This happened despite the fact that A. caliginosa was a soil dwelling species supposed to be better adapted to the soil substrate than the litter dwelling E. fetida. The toxicity of the ultramafic soils was not necessarily related to total or environmentally available amounts of the selected metals. Thus, it can be speculated that either these soils contained unidentified toxicants with resulting interactions between toxicants playing an important role or earthworms were able to remobilize metals occurring in these soils. As the singular application of an ecotoxicological endpoint did not give reliable results, especially seen over the duration of the exposures, it can be concluded that, when studying soils with such a complex composition, the utilisation of endpoints addressing different levels of organisation is necessary for the assessment of toxic stress emerging from these ultramafic soils.