Asexual reproduction and segmental regeneration, but not morphallaxis, are inhibited by boric acid in Lumbriculus variegatus.

Lumbriculus Variegatus has the amazing ability to regenerate lost body parts and reproduce asexually. There are two basic processes in the regeneration of these worms such as: epimorphosis and morphallaxis.. Epimorphic regeneration is noted by the differentiation of a blastema and the de novo generation of body parts or tissues. Morphallaxis is a pattern that involves the transformation existing tissues and body parts into newly organized structures.
In 1990, Drewes and Fourtner, demonstrated the functional reorganization of escape reflexes and their neural correlates in L. variegatus during morphallactic regeneration.

Recent studies have characterized many paradigms (a primary form or type from which varieties are derived) for the investigation of cellular and molecular events associated with morphallaxis. Posterior regions, with isolated body segments that obtain a new segmental position, enbodies transformations in axonal diameter, giant fiber conduction velocity, touch within sensory fields, and other physiological properties for new positional identity of the fragment.

Boric Acid, has been proven to be toxic in many organisms through its impact on their entire bodies effecting sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction, and development. It has been stated that boric acid may disrupt epimorphosis (segmental regeneration) in the the Lumbriculus variegatus. This experiment will show the effect of boric acid on the worms, and whether, morphallaxis is dependent on concomitant epimorphosic production of additional fragments such as the head and tail.

In the experiment boric acid in active concentrations is demonstrated, the fragments do not undergo head or tail formation, but morphallaxis was still found in this Oligochaeta. This concluded that morphallactic mechanisms are not dependent on ongoing epimorphosis. Therefore, developmental methods in these worms requiring morphallaxis are independent, and boric acid suppresses architomic fission.

Lumbriculus variegatus were purchased from Flinn Scientific, Inc. (Batavia, IL). Their habitat consisted of a moderately aerated Ozarka spring water, at a constan degree of 16 Celsius in the dark. Brown paper towel peices were distributed to each worm for substrate, they were fed Tetramin staple flakes, and Spirulina powder twice weekly.