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Native and introduced earthworms (Oligochaeta) of British Columbia, Canada
Native and introduced earthworms of British Columbia Canada - Oligochaeta Author:Valin G. Marshall This technical book describes Twenty-four earthworm taxa, representing 13 genera and 4 families, are reported from British Columbia, Canada. Six are native species: Bimastos lawrenceae (Lumbricidae), Arctiostrotus perrieri, Ar. vancouverensis, and Toutellus oregonensis (Megascolecidae), Dichogaster sp. (Octochaetidae), and Sparganophilus sp. (Sp... more »arganophilidae). The other 18 species are introduced Lumbricidae: Allolobophora chlorotica, Aporrectodea limicola, Ap. longa. Ap. rosea, Ap. trapezoides, Ap. tuberculata, Ap. turgida, Dendrobaena attemsi, Db. octaedra, Dendrodrilus rubidus, Eisenia foefida, Eiseniella tetraedra, Lumbricus castaneus, L. festivus, L. rubellus, L. terrestris, Octolasion cyaneum, and 0. tyrtaeum. Two of these (Ap. limicola and Db. attemsi) are reported for the first time for British Columbia. The native species are found primarily in coastal areas in the Coastal Westem Hemlock and Mountain Hemlock biogeoclimatic zones, whereas the introduced species are widely distributed throughout the southem part of the province. Aporrectodea tuberculata, Ap. trapezoides and L. rubellus were present in at least seven zones. Earthworms were present in 11 of the 14 biogeoclimatic zones, being absent only in high-elevation and cold northem areas (Alpine Tundra, Sub-Boreal - Pine Spruce, and Spruce - Willow -Birch Zones). We conclude that the latter three zones might still support earthworm activity, because some of the species known in British Columbia have been found by others in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.« less