Investigation of differences in the IR spectra of earthworms as a possible way of their taxonomic identification

The fundamental possibility of taxonomic identification of earthworms based on the study of the functional-group composition of their bodies by the method of IR-Fourier spectroscopy was shown. The maximum differences between individual species in intensity and position of protein and nucleic acid absorption bands were established. Using the principal component method, it was shown that the classification was based on the characteristics of the absorption bands of stretching and bending vibrations of methyl and methylene groups, as well as amide groups in the structure of worms. At the same time, the division of earthworms into subgroups with similar spectral characteristics could be explained by several reasons: their origin, kinship, and the influence of the environment.