GROWTH IN THE LABORATORY OF HORMOGASTER ELISAE (OLIGOCHAETA, HORMOGASTRIDAE)

Studies of the growth, at room temperature, of 32 individuals of Hormo gaster elisae have been carried out under laboratory conditions betwee n February 1993 and September 1995. The individuals were obtained from cocoons collected at El Molar (Madrid, Spain) and cultured until emer gence. Data obtained from the 32 individuals suggest a gradual growth, whereas a selective study of individuals belonging to the same age gr oup (emerging within a 3-month period) reveals the existence of growth periods during the colder months alternating periods of no growth dur ing the hottest months. A comparison between the common time period fo r which data exist for the coetaneous groups reveals that there is a p arallel growth pattern independent of time of hatching and weight of i ndividuals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.