Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The status of exotic earthworm systematics and biogeography in North America was reviewed
(Reynolds 1995). This review dealt mainly with the Lumbricidae and excluded the nearctic genera
Bimastos
. The section on historical perspectives traced the associations and classi-
fications of authors from Linnaeus (1758) through
and
Eisenoides
ø
Mrsi
ª
(1991) and discussed the lumping of
certain species inter- and intragenerically. These frequent realignments by taxonomists have created
many nomenclatural and taxonomic problems for ecological researchers for many years. The review
also included discussions on earthworm contributions and activity in North America, which is often
lacking in some European publications. Some portions of the biogeographical section are summa-
James (1995) addressed the issue of systematics, biogeography, and ecology of nearctic earth-
worms from the eastern, central, southern, and southwestern United States. He dealt with five
families, two of which are monospecific: Lutodrilidae (
Lutodrilus multivesiculatus
) and Komar-
). The family Sparganophilidae is monogeneric with 12 species.
The Lumbricidae were included mainly in the two nearctic genera
ekionidae (
Komarekiona eatoni
Bimastos
and
Eisenoides
, with
nine and two species, respectively. JamesÔs version of the Megascolecidae (Acanthodrilidae
sensu
Gates and Reynolds) was restricted to the genus
and its 42 species. JamesÔs ecological
section included discussions of earthworm population studies and emphasized the lack of earthworm
community studies and economic applications.
Fender (1985, 1995) provided an ecological overview of native earthworms of the Pacific
Northwest. He dealt with a group of earthworms (Megascolecidae, Argilophilini) unfamiliar to
many earthworm scientists. Fender stated that the Pacific Northwest possesses a Ñrich, varied, and
interesting, but highly underreportedÒ earthworm fauna. There are a vast number of taxa to be
described and data that have been collected and are waiting analysis. Fender discussed the historical
biogeography, ecology, and variation of this group of little-known oligochaetes.
Fragoso et al. (1994) reviewed the native earthworms of the north neotropical region and their
current status and controversies. Their lists of earthworm species and the authors cited may not be
familiar to many North American earthworm scientists, although the early works cited in their
historical perspective included researchers such as Beddard, Benham, Cognetti, Eisen, Gates, and
Michaelsen, who are well-known earthworm taxonomists. They also reviewed species of earth-
worms from Mexico (Fragoso et al. 1994). The authors explained in great detail the biogeography,
ecology, and taxonomy of the earthworms from their region.
In their list of the earthworm fauna of the north neotropical region, Fragoso et al. (1995)
indicated the absence of any reports on earthworms from Belize (formerly British Honduras). I had
the opportunity to work in this small Central American country and collect earthworms. The results
of these collections were published in a paper by Gilberto, and two well-known species (
Diplocardia
Dichogaster
bolaui
.
In addition to the description of a new species and the first record of earthworms from Belize, this
article includes a discussion on the retention of eodrilus and diplotrema as separate and distinct
genera based on four criteria. We also continued with suggestions for distinguishing four closely
related genera: eodrilus, notiodrilus, acanthodrilus, and microscolex. Our solution for distinguishing
these genera will undoubtedly spark discussion in the future, and as a result of these debates,
earthworm taxonomists should come closer to agreement.
and
Pontoscolex corethrurus
) are reported together with a new species,
Eodrilus jenniferae
PRESENTATIONS AT THE INTERNATIONAL EARTHWORM
ECOLOGY SYMPOSIA
There have been seven International Earthworm Ecology Symposia, at Grange-over-Sonids,
England (1981); Bologna, Italy (1985); Hamburg, Germany (1987); Avignon, France (1990);
Columbus, OH, United States (1994); Vigo, Spain (1998); and Cardiff, Wales (2002). Each was
