ENRICHMENT OF PURPLE PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA FROM EARTHWORMS

Numerous bacteria present in soil during its passage through the alimentary canal of earthworms resist digestive action and the antimicrobial defenses of the worms. Thus, several kinds of non-sulfur purple photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodospirillaceae) can be enriched from 'purees' of washed earthworms (or from intestinal contents of the worms) using a procedure that exploits the capacity to fix N2 during anaerobic phototrophic growth with organic acid carbon sources. It appears that earthworm enrichments can be designed to provide highly selective methods for isolation of Rhodomicrobium vannielii and Rhodopseudomonas palustris, and perhaps of other purple bacteria. The extensive burrowing activities of earthworms undoubtedly contributes to the widespread dissemination of Rhodospirillaceae in soils.