Native and Introduced Earthworms from Selected Chaparral, Woodland, and RiparianZones in Southern California

摘要

Relatively little is known about the earthworm fauna of southern California. Some20 different species of earthworms were collected and identified in a survey of various southern California wildland habitats. The ecology and biology of earthworms are outlined and the results of the survey are documented. Introduced species belonging to the Lumbricidae family were encountered most often; however, native species, primarily of genera Argilophilus and Diplocardia, are widely distributed. Several of the natives collected are believed to be new species. Habitats for both the native and introduced species ranged from riparian zones to relatively dry chaparral sites. Preference of earthworms for certain types of plant communities began to emerge even in this somewhat limited survey; oak and grass being the most preferred and conifers the least.