Invasion patterns of Lumbricidae into the previously earthworm-free areas of northeastern Europe and the western Great Lakes region of North America

Abstract

We examine the patterns of expansion of exotic European earthworms in northeastern Europe and the western Great Lakes region of North America. These areas share many ecological, climatic and historical characteristics and are devoid of indigenous earthworm fauna due to Quaternary glaciations. These regions are being colonized by a similar suite of exotic lumbricid species and it is unlikely that this is the result of chance, but rather indicates that these species have particular characteristics making them successful invaders. The present macro-scale distributions of earthworm species in northern Russia show little connection to the pattern of the last glaciation.Rather, the primary factors that determine the current distributions of earthworm species include climatic conditions, the life history traits of different earthworm species, the suitability of habitat and intensity and patterns of human activity. In the western Great Lakes region of North America, there are three primary factors affecting current distributions of exotic earthworm species including the patterns of human activity and land use practices, the composition of particular source populations of earthworms associated with different vectors of transport and the soil and litter properties of habitats across the region. Disturbance of a habitat does not appear to be a prerequisite to the invasion and establishment of exotic earthworms. Analysis of the macro-scale distributions of Lumbricidae species in northeastern Europe may provide important insights into the potential of invasive European earthworm species to spread in North America, and identify potentially invasive species.

Distribution and abundance of exotic earthworms within a boreal forest system in southcentral Alaska

“…Subsequently endogeic and anecic species like L. terrestris colonize (Hale et al 2005, Tiunov et al 2006, Addison 2008. Gundale et al (2005) confirmed this sequence in Michigan where they found communities consisting of just one or two species that were almost exclusively composed of D. octaedra and L. rubellus.…”

“…This peculiar distribution and the fact that L. terrestris is sold for bait locally (e.g, http://arctos.database.museum/guid/KNWR:Ento:6753) suggests direct bait abandonment as the main method of introduction on the KNWR. Additional species may be expected to arrive at boat launches because fishing bait can contain other species as well (Tiunov et al 2006). …”

“…rubidus are parthenogenic, frost-hardy species, traits that, combined with their ability to tolerate acidic soils and exploit poor litter quality, contribute to their success in colonizing large areas. As with many "weedy" species, parthenogenesis facilitates rapid reproduction from very low densities, characteristic of rare dispersal events, where a single individual can establish an entire population (Tiunov et al 2006). The small body size of these species also facilitates spread by vectors such as tires more often than Lumbricus and other anecic species.…”

Biodiversity and vermicomposting potential of indigenous earthworm resources of Sivagangai District

“…Distribution of the species is largely determined by the mechanical composition of the soil, content of the organic matter and different agrotechnical activities. In general, earthworm densities begin to drop off once soil pH falls below 5 (Tiunov et al, 2006). The temperature and moisture are usually inversely related and higher surface temperature and dry soils are limiting factors to earthworms than low and water logged soils (Nordstrom and Rundgren, 1974).…”

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

“…If activity differences among populations are associated with the historical adaptation to the conditions at the latitudes of their origin, the clear difference between Finnish and UK populations could relate to the potential presence at their respective latitudes for thousands of years since the post-glacial dispersal and settlement. In North America, L. terrestris were introduced by European settlers (Tiunov et al, 2006) and the US dew-worm population of the study, originating from unknown latitude(s) in Europe, has had at most a few hundred years exposure to the local conditions. A study from the 1920s reported that L. terrestris "has become widely distributed over Ohio in the last ten years" (Olson, 1928) suggesting that settlement at the specific sampling site in Coshocton may be relatively recent.…”