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Small collections of earthworms from the Emirates of Dubai and Ras al Khaimah United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) yielded new distributional records. Celeriella duodecimalis (Octochaetidae) is a new record for Dubai and Konhadrilus zicsii and Ramiella bishambari (Octochaetidae) are the first records for Ras al Khaimah, while C. duodecimalis and K. zicsii are the first records for the U.A.E. These new records increase to eleven the number of earthworm species reported from the U.A.E., all considered to be introductions. No indigenous species have yet been described from the U.A.E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report to present the earthworm species in continental USA and Canada showing the initial collection or report with the supporting literature reference. This paper summarizes reports of 11 families, 42 genera and 172 species. Also included is their ecological type or form and a definition of each type plus a distribution figure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The relatively recent invasion of Oriental Megascolecidae into North America is currently being documented and much attention has been given it. Historically, the invasion of Lumbricidae since the 1800s is also well known, but of the 31 introduced lumbricid species, 17 are widely distributed across the continent, while 14 species which have been recorded since the mid 1950s have not met with the same success. These rarely encountered species have been reported from a single specimen to a limited number of individuals in a few North American states and/or provinces. Documentation of these species appears to be of less interest than that afforded the introductions of Oriental Megascolecidae species discussed in recent literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 48 rustic naked neck chickens, without sexing, of T451N line, with 2.85 ± 0.99 kg of live weight and thirteen weeks of age were used to study the intake and the dynamics of transit of the diet components in three times of grazing ( 30.60 and 90 min). They were distributed according to random block design, with a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement (treatments x living spaces). The treatments were: balanced with inclusion of 3 % of mulberry meal, with four restrictions (75, 50, 25 and 0 %) in two living spaces (10 and 15 m2 /bird) and supplemented with 20g / bird of California red worm. The animals with 25 % restriction obtained higher weight gain and lower food intake in 15 m2 . The transit dynamics of the food registered total disappearance of the earthworms in the crop, after 60 min. There were significant effects between living space and time of filling in the digestive organs and their content. The crop and the gizzard had higher weight of the organ in 15 m2 / animal at 60 min. While, the crop increased its weight as the grazing time increased. The gizzard decreased at 90 min, when releasing the food towards the duodenum. The results suggest using 25% of food restriction in rustic Nana gene chickens, which graze in 15 m2 for 60 min, supplemented with 20 g of earthworms, to obtain weight gains similar to the control and bigger gizzards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La región Río Macho, un paisaje altamente fragmentado con riesgos inminentes de derrumbes e importantes servicios ambientales, ha sufrido una recuperación parcial de su vocación forestal por reforestación con especies exóticas y regeneración natural. Hemos comparado algunos rasgos del sustrato mediante la combinación del potencial bioindicador de los oligoquetos, rasgos del mantillo y características fisicoquímicos del suelo en tres sitios (bosque secundario viejo, tacotal y plantación Cupressus lusitanica). El bosque presentó la menor densidad de oligoquetos, el menor pH y el mayor contenido de humedad (CA) y fósforo del suelo. Hubo una correlación positiva entre los cocientes de C/N y C/P del mantillo y el pH del suelo, y negativa entre la profundidad, nitrógeno, fósforo del mantillo y fósforo del suelo. Los resultados sugieren que los oligoquetos son sensibles a cambios de los rasgos antes mencionados, que algunos de estos rasgos pueden ser buenos indicadores de la condición actual de regeneración de las coberturas estudiadas, y las coberturas han alcanzado concentraciones de varios nutrientes similares al bosque secundario viejo. Estos estudios a nivel ecosistémico a través de la evaluación de criterios sencillos pueden ayudarnos a inferir rápidamente el estado de algunos de los muchos y complejos compartimentos de los ecosistemas.In Costa Rica, the region of Río Macho is a highly fragmented landscape with imminent risk of landslides. This area, which provides important environmental services, has been partially recovered to its original forest through intentional reforestation with exotic species or natural regeneration after abandonment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioindicator potential of oligochaete presence as well as some litter and soil characteristics. The ecosystem recovery of the two common restoration modes was measured within three different forest covers. For this, some substrate characteristics were analyzed and compared in a 50 years old secondary forest, a 13 years tacotal, and a 35 years cypress (Cupressus lusitanica) plantation. The three sites studied differed in density, biomass and average mass of oligochaetes, and in some litter (depth, nitrogen, phosphorus and C/N ratio of litter), and soil variables (soil water content (CA), pH, phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, and magnesium). The forest registered the lowest density of earthworms and soil pH, and the highest soil CA and phosphorus. CA was inversely related to the oligochaete density across sites. Besides, there were positive correlations between C/N and C/P ratios from the litter and soil pH, and inverse correlations of litter depth, litter N and P concentrations with soil P. Discriminant Analysis (AD) performed with all soil and litter variables, produced a sharp classification of the three forest cover types. AD suggests that site differences were mostly determined by soil CA and litter nitrogen concentration. Considering all the evaluated parameters, our results suggest in the first place, that oligochaetes are sensitive to changes in some soil and litter characteristics. Secondly, aside from the striking oligochaete differences between the old secondary forest and the other two sites, some soil and litter traits resulted good indicators of the present recovery of the three forest covers. In addition, comparing soil nutrients content (organic carbon, nitrogen, calcium, potassium and sulfur) among the three sites, our findings indicate that the cypress plantation had reached soil nutrient conditions similar to the old secondary forest, presumably by the accumulation of nutrients, as a result of low nutrient recirculation. In conclusion, ecosystem level studies throughout simple evaluation criteria (soils, oligochaetes and ground litter) can be used as rapid indicators of the state of some of the many and complex forest ecosystem compartments.

The Flint Hills Ecoregion in the United States occurs in portions of two states (Kansas and Oklahoma). There are 17 species found here, representing five genera and three families (Acanthodrilidae, Lumbricidae and Megascolecidae). Twelve of the species are considered native (endemic) to North America; all others are European or Oriental introductions (exotics). A description of the ecoregion and five colour photographs are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Western Corn Belt Plains Ecoregion in the United States occurs in a portion ofseven states in the American midwest. There are 26 species found here, representing 12 genera and four family (Acanthodrilidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae and Sparganophilidae). Twelve of the species are native (endemic) to North America; all are European or Oriental (exotic) introductions. A description of the ecoregion and eight colour photographs are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cook Inlet Ecoregion in the United States occurs in a portion of south central Alaska. There are 11 species found here in eight genera and one family (Lumbricidae). None of the species are native (endemic) to North America; all are European (exotic) introductions. A description of the ecoregion and five colour photographs are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Idaho Batholith Ecoregion in the United States occurs in portions of two states in the American northwest (Idaho and Montana). There are 14 species found here in eight genera and one family (Lumbricidae). None of the species are native (endemic) to North America; all are European (exotic) introductions. A description of the ecoregion and three colour photographs are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of the introduced species Amynthas gracilis (Kinberg, 1867) and Octolasion cyaneum (Savigny, 1826) to the physical stability of the soil was evaluated in a mesocosm experiment. Pore formation and stable aggregates were measured; as well as changes in bulk density, porosity, and soil moisture. Mesocosm pots were organized into three treatments: 1- soil + Amynthas gracilis, 2- soil + Octolasion cyaneum and 3- soil (control containers). The experimentran for 13 weeks and it was conducted in controlled conditions in a greenhouse. At the end of the experiment both treatments with earthworms had higher number of pores and stable aggregates at the two considered depths (0-5 cm and 5-10 cm). The presence of both earthworm species favors the formation of a significantly higher proportion of stable aggregates larger than 5 mm (60%), when compared to the control without worms. These structures helped maintaining bulk density and porosity and improved water circulation. The results show that when compared to the control, both treatments had a lower loss of pore space, lower bulk density, and higher soil moisture, all attributable to earthworm presence. It is concluded that, despite both being introduced species, in intensive agricultural systems, A. gracilis and O. cyaneum can contribute to the maintenance of soil physical stability thus helping to preserve the sustainability of agro-ecosystems, even if native species became rare or locally extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]