Abstract

FALCO, Liliana Beatriz  and  MOMO, Fernando. Habitat selection by earthworms: the effect of soil cover and type. Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.spe2, pp.179-187. ISSN 2448-8445.

A laboratory experiment was carried out in order to verify the effect of soil cover and quality on habitat selection behavior of two earthworm species: Amynthas gracilis and Aporrectodea caliginosa. The experiment used two environmental factors: organic matter content (OM) of the soil, and presence or absence of dead oak leaves (Quercus robur). Amynthas gracilis selects its habitat depending on the presence of dead leaves, regardless of the soil OM content; this behavior is coherent with the epi-endogeic habit of this earthworm. On the other hand, A. caliginosa selects its habitat depending on the OM content of the soil, regardless of the presence of leaves. As A. caliginosa preferred the poorer soil (<4% OM), it should be classified as a mesohumic endogeic species.

Keywords : Amynthas gracilis; Aporrectodea caliginosa; litter; behavior; organic matter.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )