Eisenia hortensis vs. Dendrobaena veneta
Interesting question from Erika:
I have read on some sites that the Eisenia hortensis (Euro
Nightcrawler) and the Dendrobaena veneta (also known as Dendrabaena
hortensis or Dendra) are the same worm. I know they can’t be since
they have a different scientific name, but figure they are closely
related by looking at their names. I have read on your site (which is
great by the way) that you have been using the Euros. Have you tried
the Dendras? If so which did you prefer for both composting, and for
reproducing?
I have been raising Eisenia fetida for almost a year now with much
luck in Wyoming but would like to branch out into other types of
worms.
If you have already answered this please let me know where I can find
it. I will continue to browse your site and see what else I can find
that I never knew I needed to know!!
Thank you so much. Erika
Hi Erika,
Your logic is certainly on target here – different scientific names should indeed indicate a completely different species. Given the fact that we are talking about different genera altogether (Eisenia vs Dendrobaena), makes it all the more likely that we are talking about very different worms!
There’s only one problem…
As fantastic as scientific ‘binomial nomenclature’ is, unfortunately from time to time those pesky scientists throw a wrench into the system and mess things up!
Every so often researchers will update the scientific name for a given species – typically once new evidence indicates that it is actually more closely related to species in another family, genus etc. Often it’s not as drastic a change as in the case of Eisenia/Dendrobaena – assigning various subspecies groupings for a given species for example, is something that occurs more often (especially with microbes and other teeny tiny critters)
As annoying as these discrepencies can be, it is really important for the scientist to make the change since it helps group organisms more accurately moving forward. Unfortunately there is no ‘CNN’ for mundane scientific news (like name updates) so this info doesn’t exactly go mainstream once it is announced! As such, these older names can end up lingering for quite some time.
What interesting about this particular case (and something that definitely does not help!!) is the fact that the Dendrobaena veneta name is still very widely used in Europe for some reason, while the new name has gained a lot more acceptance over here in North America.
Anyway, the bottom-line here Erika is that ‘YES’ I have been using Dendros and Euros – but only because they are one and the same!
Hope this helps!
Technorati Tags: eisenia, dendrobaena, red worms, red wigglers, euros, european nightcrawlers, dendros, composting worms, compost worms, worm composting
Written by Bentley on October 14th, 2009 with
5 comments.
Read more articles on Reader Questions.
robert daly
Bentley
Jim Hunt
#1. October 14th, 2009, at 6:21 PM.
Thanks so much. I have found a few sellers selling these worms under both names as if they are a different worm all togehter, thus adding to my confusion. I figured I should find out before buying one and the same.