The 7th international symposium on earthworm ecology · Cardiff · Wales · 2002 Have spermatophores in Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta,

The presence of spermatophores is widespread in earthworms from the family Lumbricidae but their function remains un-clear. We tested three functional hypotheses (sperm transfer, nuptial gift and copulatory plugs) to explain the presence of these structures in the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae). None of the hypotheses tested were sup-ported from our results and we found that spermatophores had no effect on the reproductive success of this earthworm species. Spermatophores appeared in all the matings that produced cocoons and hence may be used as reliable indicators of a recent copulation. Key words: Earthworm reproduction, spermatophores, nuptial gift, copulatory plug, Eisenia fetida In earthworms from the family Lumbricidae (Oligo-chaeta), spermatophores have often been described. Spermatophores are defined as capsules formed by glands in the neighbourhood of the male pore, filled with spermatozoa and placed on the body of the partner (Michaelsen 1926). In most lumbricids spermatophores appear frequently after mating. Nevertheless, the cur-rent knowledge about them is based only on anatomica