Practical Record
Practical No. 2
Course Code: ZLG0400404
Course Title: Animal Behaviour and Chronobiology
Title of Experiment: To Study Geotaxis Behaviour in Earthworm
Date: __________
Semester: __________
Name of the Student: __________
College: Dimoria College
Aim:
To study the geotaxis behavior in earthworms and understand their directional movement in response to
gravitational stimulus.
Introduction:
Geotaxis refers to the movement of an organism in response to gravity. It can be positive (movement towards
gravitational pull, i.e., downward) or negative (movement away from gravity, i.e., upward). Earthworms
typically exhibit positive geotaxis, helping them burrow into the soil for protection, moisture, and food. This
experiment helps us understand behavioral orientation mechanisms in invertebrates, which are often
controlled by simple sensory and nervous system responses.
Materials Required:
- Healthy earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris or similar species)
- Glass/transparent vertical tube (approx. 25-30 cm)
- Soft, moist soil or filter paper
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- Stopwatch
- Ruler/scale
- Tray for collection
- Marker for marking positions
Procedure:
1. Collect healthy earthworms from moist soil using safe and non-invasive techniques.
2. Place a moist filter paper or soil at the base of a transparent vertical tube.
3. Carefully release an earthworm near the top of the tube, and observe its movement.
4. Record the time taken by the earthworm to reach the bottom.
5. Repeat the process with 5-10 earthworms for accuracy.
6. For control, place some worms at the bottom of the tube and see if they climb upward (test for negative
geotaxis).
7. Record observations and calculate the percentage showing positive vs negative geotaxis.
Observation Table:
Trial | Initial Position | Final Position | Direction of Movement | Time Taken (s) | Type of Geotaxis
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 | Top | Bottom | Downward | 18 | Positive
2 | Top | Bottom | Downward | 22 | Positive
3 | Top | Bottom | Downward | 20 | Positive
4 | Bottom | Same (No move) | - |- | None
5 | Top | Bottom | Downward | 19 | Positive
Results:
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Most earthworms moved downward in the vertical tube, indicating positive geotaxis. No significant negative
geotaxis was observed. This behavior helps the worms return to moist soil, away from light and predators.
Conclusion:
Earthworms exhibit positive geotaxis by moving downward in response to gravitational stimuli. This behavior
is ecologically significant as it helps them survive in subterranean habitats, regulate body moisture, and avoid
exposure to surface threats.
Precautions:
- Handle earthworms gently to avoid injury.
- Use moist, non-toxic surfaces to simulate natural habitat.
- Ensure temperature and lighting conditions are stable.
- Avoid excessive handling or delay in releasing the worm.
