Cocoons and hatchlings ofAporrectodea caliginosa(Savigny 1826) (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) in Benghazi, Libya

Field and laboratory studies were conducted during the period May 1993–April 1994 on the cocoons and hatchlings ofAporrectodea calignosa(Savigny 1826), a common earthworm found in Benghazi, Libya. Cocoon production started in August 1993 and continued until April 1994. A positive correlation between soil moisture (r=0.74;p< 0.05) and cocoon production, and a negative one between soil temperature (r=−0.85;p< 0.05) on cocoon production were found. Mean incubation time was 47 days. Some cocoons contained a single worm (single hatchling) whereas the majority of them (68%) contained two, the first hatchling and second hatchling. The rate of change of body mass (F=2.18;p>0.05) and the average body mass (F=1.25;p>0.05) of the single, first and second hatchlings were similar.