Exploring the Olfactory System of Earthworms' Response to Aspirin

Overview

Earthworms are unique in that their sensory organs cover their bodies, giving them the ability to smell and taste their environment. Small doses of aspirin, known to disrupt the olfactory responses in mammals, were introduced to the redworms’ environment to determine the sensitivity of their olfactory system. Holding containers were made for the redworms (Eisenia fetida) where they had access to multiple different types of soil treatments that had either been treated with a low dose of aspirin, worm food, or a combination of the two. It was hypothesized that the redworms would be more attracted to the soil treatments with food and no aspirin. Over a week, the redworms were free to move around to whichever soil attracted them most. After this period, the redworm preference was measured by calculating the percent of the total redworms found in each soil treatment to determine if the redworm’s olfactory systems responded to aspirin. Redworm preference was measured in 16 trials of redworm groups using similar soil treatments (n=404 redworms). The hypothesis was supported because the redworms favored the containers treated with food, including those treated with aspirin. However, the redworms did significantly prefer the containers with food and no aspirin in all treatments. It is possible that the aspirin deterred the redworms away from areas where food was available as it may prevent the redworms from detecting the presence of food.

Competition history

• AJAS 2025 Category not listed

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