Invasion of the tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae, Oligochaeta) in temperate grasslands

Abstract

The tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus presents a broad distribution (56 countries from four continents) with climates that resemble the one in its native area of distribution. In invasive earthworms, it is generally assumed that temperature appears to limit the success of tropical exotic species in temperate climates. With the global climate change, the edge of the distribution range of this species could advance towards higher elevations (with lower temperatures) where no tropical species currently occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil and climatic variables that could be closely associated with the distribution of P. corethrurus in four sites along an altitudinal gradient in centralVeracruz, Mexico. We tested the hypothesis that the global migration of P. corethrurus appears to be limited only by temperature. Five sampling points (monoliths) were established at each of four sites along an altitudinal gradient: Laguna Verde (LV), Ingenio La Concepción (IC), Naolinco (NA) and Acatlán (AC) at 20, 982, 1542 y 1751 masl, respectively. Our results showed that the climate along the altitudinal gradient ranged from tropical to temperate. Ten earthworm species were found along the gradient, belonging to three families (Rhinodrilidae, Megascolecide and Lumbricidae). Soil properties are associated with the abundance of the earthworm community along the altitudinal gradient. P. corethrurus was recorded at three sites (LV, IC and NA) along the altitudinal gradient. Our results reveal that the premise that low temperature limits the distribution of P. corethrurus in not supported; that is, this species may survive and reproduce at the site NA with an average annual temperature of 17 ºC. These results suggested that P. [4, 5, 6]. Depending on their ecological 50 classification (epigeic, endogeic or anecic), they can also modify the distribution and abundance 51 of soil biodiversity, mainly by constructing structures and galleries within the soil profile and by 52 producing casts, mucus and urine [7, 8, 9]. 53Most earthworm species display an aggregated spatial distribution in response to soil 54 variables such as texture and the quality and amount of organic matter [10, 11]. However, most 55 studies of the ecological distribution of earthworms consider soil type and characteristics as the 56 primary determinant [8, 10, 11, 12, 13], largely because of the limited capabilities of earthworms 57 for horizontal displacement (between 4 and 10 m per year) [12, 14, 15]. Nevertheless, climate 58 has a substantial influence on earthworms (physiology, development or activity) that is reflected 59 in the seasonal dynamics of their life history [16, 7, 8, 4, 17]. 68 [7]; however, this has been facilitated by the road networks and vehicle transport to surmount 69 important biogeographic barriers [7, 8, 19, 20] [7, 22, 23, 24, 25], its adaptive strategies 73 include a high tolerance to soil conditions and climatic variables (precipitation) [7, 12, 26]. For 74 this reason, P. corethrurus has become established thr...

First Report of the Earthworm <i>Pontoscolex corethrurus </i>(Müller, 1857) from Punjab, India

“…Liu and Zou [45] and Ganihar [46] reported that this species prefer soils rich in terms of organic matter and leaf litter content. The present study also corroborates with finding of Ortiz-Gamino et al [47] and reported 8 to 8.4% range of organic matter. Ayala and Barois [48] observed that P. corethrurus was unable to grow in soil with 75-100% organic matter content.…”

Approach to assess agroecosystem anthropic disturbance: Statistical monitoring based on earthworm populations and edaphic properties

“…Studies developed in Argentina (Masin et al, 2011;Maitre et al, 2012;Bedano and Domínguez, 2016;Domínguez et al, 2018) and in other regions of the world (Bartz et al, 2013;Lemtiri et al, 2014;Bertrand et al, 2015;Kanianska et al, 2016;Xie et al, 2018) show that earthworm populations are conditioned not only by the edaphic properties and the type of vegetation but also by the history and intensity of land use. In this sense, the studies by Butt and Lowe (2004), García-Pérez et al (2014), andOrtiz-Gamino et al (2016) report that, while earthworm populations are conditioned by some edaphic properties, they are highly sensitive to the anthropic disturbance generated in their ecosystems, thus providing valuable information as bioindicators of soil quality (or soil health). In particular, Bertrand et al (2015) reported that the composition of earthworm populations (number of individuals, proportion of juveniles or adults) depends on both production system and tillage intensity and frequency, and also that population density is affected by changes in vegetation, crop residues quantity and quality, and grazing activities.…”

Global worming: massive invasion of North America by earthworms revealed

“…In southern regions, climate change will less likely facilitate the spread of alien earthworms from Asia and Europe. However, warming of temperate areas may open colonization opportunities for tropical alien earthworm species, as already observed in a few temperate grasslands 57 .…”