earthworm species
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2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-David Moore ◽  
Rock Ouimet ◽  
John W. Reynolds

In the last decades, concerns have emerged that boreal forests could convert from a carbon sink to a carbon source, thus accentuating climate change. Although forest fire is generally mentioned as the main factor that could cause the boreal forest to transition to a carbon source, other factors, such as exotic earthworm activity, could also play an important role. Invasive exotic earthworms can also affect nutrient cycling, biodiversity and forest dynamics. In this context, a better knowledge of the distribution of exotic earthworms can help understand the likely changes in the ecosystems that they have colonized. Here we report the results of an exhaustive literature review of the presence of exotic earthworms in the Canadian boreal forest and taiga zones. We identified 230 sectors containing 14 earthworm species (11 exotic, 2 native and 1 putative native) in 6 provinces and 3 territories across Canada’s boreal forest and taiga zone. We also report 23 as-yet unpublished observations from the province of Quebec. We note the presence of earthworms in environments (acid soils, harsh climate) that were historically considered inadequate for their survival. This suggests that the portion of Canada’s boreal forests suitable for their presence or colonization is larger than what was previously believed. This study represents the first compilation of exotic earthworm presence in this large northern area. Factors that could affect their distribution and potential effects on boreal ecosystems are also discussed. Globally, several earthworm species seem to be overcoming the previously assumed limitation by temperature and pH.


Diversity ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Yufeng Zhang ◽  
Yiming Zhang ◽  
Hui Wu ◽  
Congsheng Li ◽  
Nonillon M. Aspe ◽  
...  

Eisenia nordenskioldi is the dominant earthworm species in many tundra and boreal habitats. Nothing is known about the genetic diversity of this species along the elevation gradient in China. This study sampled 28 individuals in the E. nordenskioldi complex from Wuling Mountain, northern China, to examine their external morphology and genetic diversity. Mt. Wuling is the southern limit of the distribution of the E. nordenskioldi complex. The specimens from Mt. Wuling were classified into three groups along an elevation gradient. Mismatch distribution analysis suggested that the Pleistocene glaciations possibly did not significantly affect the distribution of earthworm species in this region. We also found that elevation affected the genetic diversity, but not the external morphology of E. nordenskioldi. Given the altitudinal genetic diversity within the E. nordenskioldi complex, the phylogeography of this species provides important information for the zoogeographic reconstruction of the mountains in northern China. With the relatively limited sample size, the result is not conclusive, and further studies need to be conducted in the future to verify the results.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Umar Khan ◽  
Saiqa Andleeb ◽  
Muhammad Fiaz Khan ◽  
Rozina Ghulam Mustafa

2021 ◽  
pp. 64-68
Author(s):  
Karuna S. Ganiger ◽  
Milind F. Nagannawar ◽  
Soumya R. Patil ◽  
Pulikeshi M. Biradar

As the epigeic earthworms are known to be efcient and potential biodegrades and nutrient releasers, tolerant to wide range of ecological disturbances, aids in litter communication and efcient decomposers. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to nd out the inuence of various organic wastes (such as False Ashoka waste-FAW (Polyalthia longifolia), Parthenium wastePW (Parthenium hysterophorus), Cotton residue waste-CRW (Gossypium), Lawn grass waste-LGW (Agrostis) and Cattle manure-CM) on the production of worm biomass and vermicompost by the epigeic earthworm, Perionyx excavatus along with control compost experiments without worms (in triplicates) to know the potentiality of this worm species in processing of various organic wastes for the production of worm biomass as vermiprotein and vermicompost as biofertilizer. Both compost and vermicompost experimental pots were terminated after 35 and 70 days time intervals. Observations were made with respect to number of old and new adult worms, new sub-clitellates, juveniles, cocoons with their weight were noted to determine the total worm biomass (Gross biomass), biomass ratio (WBR) and Fold Increase in Worm Number (FIWN). Percent compost and vermicompost produced out of different organic waste were also calculated at the end of each experiment at35 and 70 days. The results of the present study revealed that the biomass of Perionyx excavatus such as Gross worm biomass (GWB), Worm biomass ratio (WBR) and Fold increase in worm number (FIWN) increased from 35days to 70 days time intervals in all the organic wastes (FAW, PW, CRW, LGW and CM). It was maximum in CM and minimum in FAW among all the organic wastes. There is a signicant variation was noticed in worm biomass production (GWB, WBR, and FIWN) among and between all the organic wastes except between few organic wastes at 35 and 70 days time intervals. The vermicompost production was more as compared to normal compost in all the organic wastes. Further, both compost and vermicompost production were more in CM followed by LGW, CRW, PW and minimum in FAW among all organic wastes. The signicant difference was also observed in the production of compost and vermicompost among and between different organic wastes except between few organic wastes at different time intervals. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the earthworm, Perionyx excavatus is an efcient epigeic earthworm species, effectively used in vermicomposting for the production of vermicompost and as well as in vermifarming in the production of worm biomass as vermiprotein. Further, earthworm biomass, compost and vermicompost production primarily depends on nature of organic wastes and secondly on the potentiality of earthworm species used in the experimental studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-162
Author(s):  
N. C. Hartono ◽  
A. M. Fuah ◽  
V. A. Mendrofa ◽  
Winarno

Lumbricus rubellus is one of earthworm species that has been cultivated because its utility as feed for livestock and fish. The culture media for earthworms are mainly manure and compost. The purpose of this research was to observe the performance of Lumbricus rubellus given eggshell powder in different types and levels. This study used commercial eggshell flour and homemade eggshell flour with different levels (10%, 20%, 30%) mixed with cow dung as a medium. The results of the study showed that the addition of eggshell flour (commercial and homemade) as much as 10% showed a higher earthworm weight gain than other treatments but the cocoon production of the treatment was lower than the control (0% eggshell flour).


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