THE DISTRIBUTION OF EARTHWORMS IN THE PERTH METROPOLITAN AREA

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract
Thirteen species of earthworm were collected on the coastal plain near metropolitan Perth between 1977 and 1980. Six of these species were introduced following European settlement in 1829. The present known distribution of each species in the metropolitan region is mapped at a scale of 1:400 000; that of the more common species in temperate Western Australia is mapped at a smaller scale (1:8 500 000).

All introduced species were found only in disturbed habitats (gardens, man-made parks, etc.) but only two of the seven native species were confined to undisturbed habitat, principally woodland or swampland. Settlement of the region by European man has resulted in the fragmentation of the range of some of the native species, but the replacement of woodland by gardens has enabled the introduced species to establish. It is unlikely that the local decline in distribution of native earthworm species in the metropolitan area is a result of the introduction of peregrine earthworm species.

Each species is keyed out using external features.