Does the deep-burrowing earthworm, Aporrectodea longa, compete with resident earthworm communities when introduced to pastures in south-eastern Australia?

Pastures in southern Australia are dominated by endogeic earthworms such as Aporrectodea caliginosa (Sav.). Introductions of the anecic earthworm, A. longa (Ude), which is mostly restricted to Tasmania at present, are likely to increase the functional diversity of local communities and thereby enhance plant production and agricultural sustainability. However, the potential impact of A. longa on resident earthworm communities first needs assessing. Glasshouse and field experiments reported here suggested that A. longa can reduce the abundance and biomass of A. caliginosa, but that these effects are likely to be offset by overall increases in worm abundance. There was no evidence to suggest that species richness was reduced by A. longa introduction. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.