Drilosphere

The drilosphere is defined as the whole soil volume that is under the influence of earthworms, including the body and internal structures of the worm that come in contact with the soil. (2) As ecosystem engineers(1), earthworms have the ability to change the soil, both physiochemically and biologically (2).

Geophagous Worms

Geophagous worms are worms that feed on soil. When they ingest soil, they add water in their anterior gut and intestinal mucus. This is mixed together in the gizzard. Ingesting soil frees dormant bacteria from tight pore spaces and restarts their complete enzymatic capacities. (1)

References

(1) Cuddington, Kim, et al. Ecosystem Engineers: Plants to Protists. Academic Press, 2007.

(2)Brown, George, et al. Regulation of Soil Organic Matter Dynamics and Microbial Activityin the Drilosphere and the Role of Interactionswith Other Edaphic Functional Domains. European Journal of Soil Biology.