Team Worm-Y Final Proposal

This topic submitted by See Below ( DeutchHZ@muohio.edu ) on 10/12/04 .

Natural Systems 1 Syllabus---Western Program---Miami University

Case Blum, Hallee Deutchman, David Sprenger, Dan Lapinski, Kyle Vana, Shawn Thomas, Joseph Ripberger, Jordan Lewis

-Introduction
For our Student Generated Lab we will test for circadian rhythms in earthworms. To do so, we will completely submerge one aquarium in dark, and keep a second aquarium in normal light, and keep track of the amount of earthworms that come out. If the earthworms are constantly out in the dark aquarium then we will be able to conclude that they do not have biological clocks. By placing pine needles on the surface of the dirt and comparing the arrangement of the dirt itself contained in the tanks we will be able to determine the habits of the worms. We think that the earthworms do not have circadian rhythms, but instead respond to light and dark stimuli.
After we have concluded whether or not earthworms have circadian rhythms we will then compare the decomposition rates of the worms secluded in dark to those in the natural light cycle. We will bring our classmates into our lab by having them observe the worms' activity at night. This project intrigues us because none of us have ever done extensive research about earthworms, and are curious about their habits.

-Background / Relevance
We will use these twelve library/journal references to aid in our study:
1. "The Burrowing characteristics of three common earthworm species." Australian Journal of Soil Research; 11/1/2001; Fraser, P.M.
2. "Canadian Earthworms Aren't Natives." The Toronto Star; 9/10/2000; Sam Hooper Samuels.
3. "Invading earthworms threaten rare U.S. fern." Science News; 11/30/2002; Milius, S.
4. "Earthworms Endangering Rare Northern Fern." Ascribe Higher Education News Service 12/13/2002.
5. "Scientists find that Earthworms aren't Innocuous Critters after all Evidence shows they take nutrients from Soil and Contribute to Erosion." Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI); 9/12/2002.
6. The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms With Observations on Their Habits. Charles Darwin, 1881.
7. Worms Eat My Garbage. Mary Appelhof, 1982.
8. Earthworm biology and production. Martin, J.P., Black, J.H., and R.M. Hawthorn, 1976.
9. Earthworms. Dorothy Childs Hogner, 1953.
10. The Earthworms (Lumbricidae and Sparganophilidae) of Ontario. Reynolds, J.W., 1977. Life Science Miscellaneous Publications, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada.
11. Earthworm Ecology. Edwards, C.A.,1996. St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, Florida.
12. Earthworms: Their Ecology and Relationships with Soil and Land Use. Lee, K.E., 1985. Academic Press, New York.

We will also be referencing these five websites:
1. http://res2.agr.gc.ca/london/faq/earth-terre_e.htm
2. http://yucky.kids.discovery.com/noflash/worm/pg000102.html
3. http://www.rain.org/~sals/worms.html
4. http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/turf/Earthworms.htm
5. http://www.eap.mcgill.ca/publications/eap6.htm

We will be measuring the amount of earthworm activity during the night and day. The pine needles that cover the surface area of one of the aquariums will help us determine exactly how many the worms are moving around because we will be able to tell where and how many pine needles have been disturbed. We took this idea from Charles Darwin's The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms With Observations on Their Habits. By observing the amount of activity in the tanks, we will be able to determine the amount of activity during the day and night, and therefore be able to determine if worms have circadian rhythms or not.
-Specific Research Design
In the lab we will be measuring four main areas of data. We will be measuring the earth worms' decomposition rate in both normal day/night cycles and continuous darkness, whether or not they have circadian rhythms, the movement of the worms' burrows, movement according to displaced pine needles. We will also be comparing the decomposition rates of the worms in the normal day/night cycle to those in complete darkness. These measurements will help use to better understand and the behavior of earth worms and how worms react to their environment. The specific methods for each part of the lab are listed in the section below.
-Materials and Methods
For this experiment we will be using forty-eight Canadian night crawlers provided by Nancy from the Oxford Wal-Mart. These worms will be kept in two separate aquariums (twenty-four worms per tank). There is a layer of sand at the bottom of each tank, topped with potting mix that the worms will inhabit. We will feed the worm's cantaloupe, provided by either Nancy or one of the team members. The pine needles that we will use are from the pine trees that surround Western campus.
As far as methods, we will photograph the tank every day or two and record the displacement of pine needles and dirt to determine the amount of activity. After a few weeks of determining the amount of activity we will then move on to measuring the decomposition rates of the two tanks of worms. We plan to compare and contrast the rates of each tank, keeping in mind the amount of activity that we determined earlier in the lab. To involve the class, we will have them look at the decomposition rates of the worms, and observe night activity, but only to a certain extent. We will also be studying the movement of the worms' burrows. We will do this by photographing the tanks every day or so, and record their positions on a map. The class will be involved, in that they will observe the worms throughout they day, so monitor their level of activity.

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