Pine forest earthworms from Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria)

Autochthonous pine forests in the Canary Islands are host to a limited number of earthwornis, among which the lumbricids are the dominant group in presence and abundance. 13 species have been identified, of which Allolobophora chlorotica, Aporreclodea rosea bimastoides, Lanbricus rubellus, Microscolex dubius, All. phosphoreus and Ocnerodrilits occidentalis are new records for Gran Canaria, while Aporrectodea irapezoides is new for Pinus canariensis woodlands front Tenerife. The first original data on the distribution of each species in coniferous forests are also presented, establishing significant faunistic differences; the more southerly dry pine woodlands are typically inhabited by Aporreclodea rosea bimastoides and Microscolex dubius, while the more humid forests have a fauna richer in species like Allolobophora chlorotica, Lumbricus rubellus, and Oclodrihis complanatus, which may be considered good indicators of natural potential forest areas. The high calcium and potassium levels, slightly acidic pH and up to 18.5% organic matter of the studied andosols and/or brown soils appear to influence the earthworm fauna composition and distribution in Pinus canariensis forest.