PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON ANALYSIS OF COELOMIC FLUID OF GIANT OCTOCHAETID EARTHWORM, Eutyphoeus gammiei (Beddard)
Eutyphoeus gammiei , the giant earthworm (above 400 mm length) of Tripura (North East India) is found in the soil rich in organic matter. Coelomic fluid is present throughout the body cavity of earthworm. In the present paper, coelomic fluid of E. gammiei was analyzed by microscopical and some biochemical techniques. Six types of coelomocyte cells were identified with histochemical staining through light microscopy. With Native-PAGE and SDS-PAGE analysis five major proteins and their subunits were also identified. Enzymatic activity of the coelomic fluid was established by the identifications of an esterase band in Native - PAGE gel.