SILENT ENGINEERS OF THE SOIL: THE ECOLOGICAL POWER OF THE GIANT GIPPSLAND EARTHWORM

Abstract

One of the biggest earthworms, Megascolides australis, is found in Australia’s south Gippsland. It is listed as an endangered species on the IUNC list. This species has a deep purple body, with the rest of its body being pale pink. The adult giant Gippsland earthworm is 750 × 20 mm long and weight is about 381 g. This worm is long and cylindrical with 300-500 segments. New hatched giant Gippsland earthworm is about 80cm. There are three main classes are present on the base of clitellum; young, sub adult, and adult earthworm. Worms that were actively reproducing were noted from September through December. The eggs of giant Gippsland earthworm occur at a depth of 220 mm on average. The egg weigh is 9g and 40-70 mm × 10-15 mm in size. The life history of this specie is, low reproductive rates, and low dispersal ability.   The earthworm population is at Loch Hills. Within their range, worms seemed to be widely distributed. Thirty-two enormous Gippsland earthworms were found in six quadrats that were analyzed for worm density. This specie is totally subterranean nature and the difficulty involved in identifying its habitat without surveys. M. Australis is not necessarily linked with native vegetation. Additionally, the National Estate has listed about 90 hectares of its habitat (Coy 1991). The enormous Gippsland earthworm’s national recovery strategy is its first. This plan includes information on action plans, threads, and habitat. In order to learn more about this specie's breeding, density, and population structure, Museum Victoria was also hired to monitor the population at Loch Hill for an additional five months.