DNA Barcoding Reveals Cryptic Diversity in Lumbricus terrestris L., 1758 (Clitellata): Resurrection of L. herculeus (Savigny, 1826)

James, Samuel W.; Porco, David; Decaëns, Thibaud; Richard, Benoît; Rougerie, Rodolphe; Erséus, Christer

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015629

Cited by 142 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Further studies are now needed in order to determine if this variability could be explained by the existence of several cryptic species (e.g., James et al, 2010). To test this hypothesis, the concordance between morphological and phylogenetic identification of P. corethrurus should be tested in samples coming from its whole distribution range.…”

Section: Evidence Of Cryptic Diversity?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmful or useful? A case study of the exotic peregrine earthworm morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus

Taheri

Pelosi

Dupont

2018

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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A B S T R A C TExotic peregrine earthworms are often considered to cause environmental harm and to have a negative impact on native species, but, as ecosystem engineers, they enhance soil physical properties. Pontoscolex corethrurus is by far the most studied morphospecies and is also the most widespread in tropical areas. The term of morphospecies is used in this review because P. corethrurus may in fact constitute a complex of cryptic species. This earthworm is found in a wide range of habitats, from apparently pristine to any kind of human-disturbed environment. This review synthesizes 265 studies describing the distribution, morphology, biological and ecological traits of this morphospecies, as well as its impacts on soil conditions and communities. We then discuss the characteristics necessary for this specific morphospecies to become a successful colonizer throughout the world and the positive and negative effects it can have on the ecosystems that it has invaded. We emphasize the lack of knowledge of P. corethrurus reproductive mode and ploidy level, of its population genetics, and of the potential existence of cryptic species. To finish, we highlight the fact that data on P. corethrurus interactions with non-earthworm soil macrofauna are scarce.

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Section: Evidence Of Cryptic Diversity?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmful or useful? A case study of the exotic peregrine earthworm morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus

Taheri

Pelosi

Dupont

2018

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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“…Hence, despite the fact that the European medicinal leech is, in addition to the taxonomically diverse earthworm Lumbricus terrestris (James et al 2010), one of the most popular known annelids, the unique phenotype of this beautiful "annelid with character" is still widely unknown, even among biologists.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis L.: Morphology and occurrence of an endangered species

Kutschera¹,

Elliott²

2014

ZSE

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Although the European medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis L. 1758) is one of the bestknown members of the Hirudinea due to its use in phlebotomy, this species has been confused with the Mediterranean taxon H. verbana Carena 1820. Here we describe the morphology of adult and juvenile H. medicinalis and document its genetic distance to H. verbana, using newly acquired mitochondrial DNA-sequence (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, CO-I)-data from specimens collected in Germany. Our CO-I analysis shows that H. medicinalis and H. verbana differ by 9.4 %. Hence, the original Hirudo-population diverged ca. 10 million years ago so that today two geographically separated biospecies exist that co-occur in only a few natural habitats. We analyzed the behaviour of adult H. medicinalis, but could not find differences with respect to its sister taxon H. verbana. Finally, we summarize the occurrence of H. medicinalis in Central Europe and conclude that this once widely distributed freshwater species largely disappeared in many countries. We suggest that the loss of natural freshwater ecosystems, with flat, warm banks, and amphibians (frogs, newts and toads) as preferred host organisms for the juveniles, are largely responsible for the decline of H. medicinalis in Northern Europe.

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“…At the end of the experiment, the tubes were emptied, worms were retrieved by hand-sorting the soil and their general condition and fresh-weight recorded. As a recent investigation revealed notable cryptic diversity in L. terrestris (James et al, 2010), three individuals of each geographical origin were genetically analysed at the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB) after the experiment. Results confirmed that all specimens were L. terrestris (David Porco, CCDB Guelph, Ontario, Canada, personal communication).…”

Section: Experimental Set-upmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dew-worms in white nights: High-latitude light constrains earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) behaviour at the soil surface

Nuutinen

Butt

Jauhiainen

et al. 2014

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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Soil is an effective barrier to light penetration that limits the direct influence of light on belowground organisms. Variation in aboveground light conditions, however, is important to soil-dwelling animals that are periodically active on the soil surface. A prime example is the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. (the dew-worm), an ecosystem engineer that emerges nocturnally on the soil surface. In the summer, the northernmost populations of L. terrestris are exposed to a time interval with no daily dark period. During a two-week period preceding the summer solstice, we studied the constraints that boreal night illumination imposes on L. terrestris surface activity by comparing their behaviour under ambient light with artificiallyinduced darkness. Looking for evidence of geographical divergence in light response, we compared the behaviour of native L. terrestris (Jokioinen, S-W Finland; 60º48'N) with two markedly more southern populations, from Preston (Lancashire, UK; 53º47'N) and Coshocton (Ohio, USA; 40º22'N) where the nights have a period of darkness throughout the year (total latitudinal range ca. 2 300 km). Under ambient light conditions, L. terrestris emergence on the soil surface was diminished by half compared with the darkened treatment and it peaked at the darkest period of the night. Also mating rate decreased considerably under ambient light. The native dew-worms were generally the most active under ambient light. They emerged earlier in the evening and ceased their activity later in the morning than dew-worms from the two more southerly populations. The differences in behaviour were, however, significant mainly between native and UK dew-worms. In the darkened treatment, the behaviour of the 2 three earthworm origins did not differ. Under the experimental conditions light condition was the dominant environmental factor controlling surface activity, but elevated night-time air temperature and humidity also encouraged dew-worm emergence without discernible differences among geographical origins. Our results show, that in boreal summer, the high level of night illumination strongly limits soil-surface activity of dew-worms. Considering the important regulatory role of L. terrestris in many ecosystem processes, this can have significant corollaries in dew-worm impacts on the environment. Although evidence for geographical differentiation in behaviour was obtained, the results point to phenotypic flexibility in L. terrestris light response.

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DNA Barcoding Reveals Cryptic Diversity in Lumbricus terrestris L., 1758 (Clitellata): Resurrection of L. herculeus (Savigny, 1826)

Cited by 142 publications

References 19 publications

Harmful or useful? A case study of the exotic peregrine earthworm morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus

Harmful or useful? A case study of the exotic peregrine earthworm morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus

The European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis L.: Morphology and occurrence of an endangered species

Dew-worms in white nights: High-latitude light constrains earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) behaviour at the soil surface

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