Soil pH preferences and the influences of soil type and temperature on the survival and growth of Aporrectodea longa (Lumbricidae)

The potential of the deep-burrowing earthworm, Aporrectodea longa, to improve the functional diversity of soil communities, soil properties and plant production if introduced in high rainfall pastures in south-eastern Australia has been recognised previously. This paper reports on suitable soil type...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pedobiologia 2003, Vol.47 (5), p.745-753
Main Authors: Baker, Geoff H., Whitby, Wendy A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aporrectodea longa
development
preference
soil pH
temperature
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Summary:The potential of the deep-burrowing earthworm, Aporrectodea longa, to improve the functional diversity of soil communities, soil properties and plant production if introduced in high rainfall pastures in south-eastern Australia has been recognised previously. This paper reports on suitable soil types, pH and temperature regimes for the culturing of A. longa and develops predictions as to where A. longa might best establish. Laboratory experiments show that A. longa will survive and grow to maturity when reared in the laboratory in a commercially available sand: loam mix, supplemented with sheep dung for food. Survival, development of cocoons and growth of hatchling earthworms was, overall, optimal at 15 °C. Few cocoons survived two months in air-dried soil. Earthworms showed a strong aversion to soil pH below 4.5. The development time required for cocoons at soil temperatures likely to be experienced in the field in southern Australia (e.g. 15–20 weeks at 10 °C) is discussed in terms of likely establishment success.
ISSN:0031-4056
1873-1511
DOI:10.1078/0031-4056-00254