Memoirs of the Museum of Victoria 56(2):597-603 (1997) 28 February 1997 https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1997.56.56 CONSERVATION OF NATIVE AND THE ROLE OF THE GIANT GIPPSLAND AS A FLAGSHIP TAXON.

B. D. Van Praagh

Invertebrate Survey Department, Museum of Victoria, 71 Victoria Crescent. Abbotsford, Vic. 3067,

Abstract

Van Praagh, B.D., 1997. Conservation of native earthworms and the role of the Giant Gippsland earthworm as a flagship taxon. Memoirs of the Museum ofVietoria 56(2): 597- 603. Very little is known of the Australian native earthworm fauna, which has been largely replaced by introduced in most disturbed areas. The Giant Gippsland Earthworm, OustraliS, is one of the better known earthworm species and has aroused public curiosity and sympathy due to its gigantism and restricted distribution. The role of M. auslralis as a flagship taxon is discussed in terms of its wider value in the conservation of other earthworm species.

Introduction Wood (1974) stated that 'it is surprising that more is known about the abundance of intro- Australia has a very diverse indigenous earth- duced Lumbricidae in and Aus- worm fauna arising from its long geographical tralia than that of the native ' isolation (Lee, 1985), but little detailed infor- and more than 20 years later this observation mation exists on the ecology, distribution or still applies. This paper discusses the conser- conservation status of any native species vation status of Australian earthworms and the (reviewed by Lee, 1985, Kingston and Dyne, role of the famous Giant Gippsland Earthworm 1996). only species of native earthworm The as a flagship taxon in promoting the conser- date is the Giant Gipps- studied in any detail to vation of native earthworm fauna. land Earthworm, Megascolides australis McCoy the first Australian (Van Praagh, 1992, 1994), Australia's earthworm fauna native earthworm to be described. Most avail- to the able information regarding native earthworms All Australian native earthworms belong Megascolecidae (Kingston and Dyne, lies in the taxonomic and biogeographic litera- family mainly southern hemisphere group ture (e.g., McCoy, 1878; Spencer, 1888; Jamie- 1996) a and Central America, son, 1981; Dyne, 1984; Abbott, 1994). Museum which occurs over South . Approximately 325 collections are also a valuable source of ecologi- Africa and south-east species, belonging to 28 cal information on species through the provision native earthworm have been described from Australia of details of or locality data. genera, Much information on the ecology of earth- (Kingston and Dyne, 1996). However, knowl- indigenous earthworms in different worms deals primarily with species belonging to edge of the with the earthworm fauna of West- the European family Lumbricidae which States varies, and the Northern Territory par- includes the introduced earthworm species com- ern Australia poorly known (Abbott, 1994). For monly encountered in Australian gardens. The ticularly 12 species of earthworms have introduced lumbricid Lumbricus terrestris example, only illustrate a been described from the Northern Territory (R. Linnaeus, is still commonly used to Blakemore, pers. comm. 1996). Extrapolation of 'typical earthworm' in Australian biology classes of new species found from recent and most biology textbooks. Ironically, the exist- the number to surveys by Kingston and Dyne (1996) indicate ence of this species in Australian has yet the number of native earthworm species in be confirmed (R. Blakemore pers. comm. 1 995). that is probably well over 1000. The assumption that information obtained for Australia recent examination of nearly 2000 lumbricids can be transferred directly to megas- In a major differ- museum and literature records, Abbott (1994) colecids is unjustified when the geological mapped the distribution of the native earth- ences in soils, vegetation types and Northern worm and found the major history between Australia and the limiting earthworm distribution was - Hemisphere are considered (Abbott, 1985b). factor

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fall. Earthworms were generally absent in facing slopes. Anecdotal information regarding regions where rainfall was less than 400 mm. historical distribution patterns suggests that However, 30 records of earthworm distribution numbers have declined and the range of the occurred in areas receiving less than 400 mm. At species has contracted through vegetation clear- least 16 of these were found to be surviving ance and farming practices, particularly plough- under favourable situations such as waterholes, ing (Smith and Peterson, 1981; Van Praagh, moist caves, permanent rivers and farm dams 1994). Protection of native earthworms may be (Abbott, 1994). particularly important for species that have a Changes in and vegetation resulting from restricted distribution or are naturally rare. European settlement have led to destruction of Listing of threatened earthworms some of our indigenous earthworm fauna and to Worldwide, three species of giant worms, four major changes in the distribution and compo- genera of South African Acanthodrilinae and sition of earthworms in Australian soils. In gen- two genera of South African microchaetids are eral, native earthworm species do not survive listed by the International Union for the Con- the change from native bush to pasture (Lee, servation of Nature (IUCN) Invertebrate Red 1961, Wood, 1 974) and the predominant family Data Book (Wells et al., 1983). The endemic in cultivated soil in southern temperate Aus- Acanthodrilinae of South Africa comprise some tralia is the introduced Lumbricidae (Baker et 90 species, most of which are regarded as threat- al., 1992a). In disturbed areas of tropical Aus- ened (Ljungstrom, 1972) since they are pre- tralia, the native earthworm fauna is largely dominantly litter species restricted to indigen- replaced by a small group of earthworms from ous forests which have been reduced to about the families Glossoscolecidae and Megascoleci- 0.3% of their original range for or dae, originally from South and Central America, exotic plantations (Ljungstrom, 1972, Wells et Africa and south-east Asia (Lee, 1991). al., 1983). Microchaetus spp. and Triogenia spp. (Microchaetidae) are characteristic of sandy and Conservation of earthworms clayey soils of primary grasslands and sav- annahs. Agricultural practices have reduced the Vulnerability available areas of suitable habitat by overgraz- Apart from a recent discussion of the conser- ing, lowering of the water table and desertifica- vation of the earthworm fauna of the wet tropics tion of the savannas (Reinecke, 1983, Wells et of by Dyne and Wallace (1994), the al., 1983). The microchaetids includes the giant conservation status of Australian earthworms is Microchaetus michrocaetus Rapp which is poorly known. Many have extremely limited thought to be one of the largest earthworms in geographical distributions and may be highly the world. In Australia, two oligochaetes are specialised suggesting tolerance to only a narrow documented on threatened species lists. M. aus- range of soil conditions. For example, Dyne tralis is listed as vulnerable under the Depart- ( 1 99 1 a) found Digaster nothofagi Jamieson only ment of Conservation and Natural Resources from a look out in Warrie National Park, threatened species list (CNR, 1995) and as Queensland, in apparently uniform and con- threatened under Victoria's Flora and Fauna tinuous rainforest cover. More recently. Dyne Guarantee Act ( 1 988) (Flora and Fauna Guaran- and Wallace (1994) found 45% of new species tee Scientific Advisory Committee, 1991) and found in the wet tropics of Queensland's world the earthworm is listed as heritage area from only single sites. The Lake endangered under the Tasmanian rare or Pedder earthworm, Diporochaeta pedderensis threatened species list (Invertebrate Advisory Jamieson, was described from a single specimen Committee, 1994), but is thought to be collected in 1971 from the beach psammon of extinct. Lake Pedder in . Subsequent searches for the species following the flooding of Lake Threats to earthworms Pedder in 1972 failed to find any specimens Vegetation Clearance. Since European settle-

(Dyne, 1 99 1 b). Earthworms appear to be highly ment, there has been complete conversion of susceptible to environmental disturbance. In whole land systems to the growing of wheat and Victoria, The Giant Gippsland Earthworm, improved pastures (Frood and Calder, 1987). Megascolides australis is restricted to approxi- Native earthworms are rarely found in culti- mately 40 000 ha of the Bass River Valley and is vated soils (Wood, 1974; Abbott and Parker; extremely patchy within this area, being mainly 1 980, Baker et. al, 1 992a. b, 1 995; Kingston and confined to creek banks, gullies and some south Temple-Smith, 1988; Tisdall, 1985; Mele, CONSERVATION OF NATIVE EARTHWORMS S99

1991). The conversion of land systems to cane Dyne, 1991a). For example, the giant rainforest farming in Queensland is thought to have species Disaster longrMUli Boardman, found at resulted in the of some earthworm depths of 0.8-1.5 m, is occasionally reported species (Wells et al., 1983). from areas where its original rainforest veg- Reasons for the disappearance of native earth- etation has been completely removed and is now worms after cultivation are unknown but may be used for cultivation or housing (Dyne, 1991a). linked to the shift in the microclimate with clear- Non selectivity usually associated with the geo- ing of native vegetation and establishment of phagous diet of subsoil species has been impli- pasture (Baker et al., 1 992b; Kingston and Dyne, cated as a factor in allowing this species to 1996). This includes changes in sunlight, soil survive habitat alteration (Dyne, 1991a). Gco- temperature and moisture, removal of food phagous species feed in the deeper soil horizons sources (particularly important for surface and ingest large quantities of soil, in contrast to feeders), disruption of burrow systems, altered detritivores which feed mainly on plant litter, soil pH and fertility and the use of chemicals dead roots and other plant debris at or near the such as pesticides. Changes in soil microflora, soil surface. Therefore, when the natural veg- with which some native species have a symbiotic etation is cleared, there is a major change in the relationship, may also be important (Kingston nature and quantity of the major food source and Dyne, 1996). Most native earthworms do available to detritivores. Similarly, Ljungstrom not survive the initial cultivation process such as and Reinecke ( 1 969) and Reinecke ( 1 983) found conversion of native vegetation to pasture and that only a few of the large endemic subsoil the direct effects of cultivation on earthworms microchaetids survived the cultivation of South are mainly from studies on introduced earth- African soils, though their range has contracted. worms. In contrast the litter dwelling Acanthodrilinae under the same conditions have almost totally Survival of species in Agricultural Land disappeared. Some species of native earthworms can persist Clearly small amounts of remnant vegetation native in cultivated soils. In a study of the earthworm will be important for the survival of some fauna of the northern jarrah forest of Western species in agricultural land. For example, clear- Australia, Abbott (1985b) found indigenous ing of native vegetation on areas occupied by M. between the 1870s and the species both in little disturbed and grossly dis- australis took place the extent of suitable habi- turbed sites. Baker (1996) and Mele (1991) 1930s. Even though found native species of Michaelsen tat for M. australis has been reduced, the worm and Heteroporodrilus Jamieson to predominate has been able to survive in highly altered circum- areas such as stream banks, in many pastures in western Victoria. A native stances in refuge megascolecid, Gemascolex walked Jamieson, roadsides and gullies where the effects of culti- was found occasionally to constitute a substan- vation have been less severe. In several cases the species was found along roadsides, its tial proportion of the total earthworm popu- where did not extend into the adjacent lation in pasture soils of the Mt Lofty Ranges distribution Praagh, 1994). Survival of with densities reaching up to 108 per m- (Baker paddocks (Van appeared species along stream banks and road sides may et al., 1993). Cultivation has actually partly encouraged as a result of remnant to create a favourable environment for the be still found in these areas. indigenous megascolecid Megascolex imparicys- native vegetation under Buckerfield (1992) found native earthworms tis Michaelsen which is more abundant under native vegetation on roadsides cultivated areas and clovered pastures than in its persisting in fields under crops and attributed this natural habitat of undisturbed bush (Abbott et but not partly to the availability of food. Baker et al. al., 1985). suggested the existence of some remnant While there have been no detailed studies (1993) in one corner of a pasture site in the examining why some indigenous species can sur- Eucalyptus Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, may be vive disturbance such as vegetation clearance, responsible for local survival of the native one reason may be a consequence of the specific Several Gemascolex lateralis Spencer. Buckerfield ecological niche occupied by the species. generally (1993) has shown that even if some indigenous studies have shown that subsoil species earthworms survive cultivation or clearing, have the best chance of survival in comparison native veg- other factors such as the addition of fungicides to litter and top soil species when (Lee, 1961; may contribute to their decline. In South Aus- etation is converted to pasture tralian pastures, the native species Gemascolex Wood, 1974; Miller et al., 1955 in Lee, 1985; 600 B.D. VAN PRAAGH

walkeri Jamieson survived clearing of its orig- earthworm by Windust (1994). The vigorous inal habitat until a single application of the Pontoscolex corethrurus, already shown to fungicide Benomyl was made. This resulted in a invade undisturbed areas, is also promoted by marked reduction of G. walkeri numbers with worm breeders as a pasture species for tropical introduced species becoming more abundant pastures and croplands (Windust, 1994). Exotic (Buckerfield, 1993). species and possibly some native species are being moved around Australia through worm Threats from introduced species? farming and breeding. At present, there are no Approximately 50 species of exotic earth- controls in place and little monitoring of what worms have been recorded from Australia (R. species are being released and where. Blakemore, pers. comm. 1995). Most exotic While studies suggest that exotic species are species are from accidental introductions, pri- mainly confined to disturbed areas and there is marily from soil in potted plants (Lee, 1985). little evidence of competition between intro- Distribution of introduced earthworms in Aus- duced and native species, very little detailed tralia is patchy, reflecting chance introductions data exist on the indigenous species that do sur- and different species predominate in different vive clearing or the effects on native earthworms regions (Baker et al., 1992b; Baker and Mele, of those exotics that can invade undisturbed 1996). Much earthworm research in Australia is areas. Some of these issues are currently being focused on trying to establish appropriate exotic addressed (G. Baker, pers. comm. 1995). How- species in cultivated land to improve pro- ever, until more information is available on ductivity. This has led to the suggestion of trans- these issues, caution should be taken in the redis- location of exotic earthworm species from a) tribution of introduced earthworm species and other regions of Australia and b) overseas (Lee, priority given toward the formulation of guide- 1985; Rovira et al., 1987; Baker et al., 1992b, lines and monitoring procedures regulating the 1996). The two most popular earthworms used industry. in worm farming include the Tiger worm Eise- niafetida (Savigny) and the Red worm Lumbri- cus rubellus Hoffmeister both introduced species, which are primarily used in com- Flagship taxa posting. Not all invertebrates are equal in their ability to Little is known about the invasion of native elicit public sympathy or concern for their wel- by introduced species already in Aus- fare. Flagship taxa, also termed 'attention grab- tralia. Although most introduced species are bers' by Towns and Williams (1993), are recog- confined to disturbed areas, some have invaded nised as those taxa that are either charismatic or native vegetated areas. Dyne and Wallace ( 1 994) popular and are used to initiate awareness and expressed concern at the presence of the exotic draw attention to the wider role of invertebrates Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller) in primary for- as serious components of the ecosystem. M. aus- est in Queensland. This species is a vigorous tralis is one of the most famous members of coloniser which may pose a threat to the indigen- Australia's endemic fauna due to its gigantic ous species since native species rarely coexist size. The species is restricted to a small area of with P. corethrurus. Dyne and Wallace (1994) the Bass River Valley in South Gippsland, Vic- suggested that the colonising species may inhibit toria. Even though M. australis has been known reinvasion by native species through chemical for over one hundred years and was recognised interference or changes in soil structure. as vulnerable by the IUCN in 1983, recent stud- It is not always clear whether native or intro- ies (Yen et al., 1990; Van Praagh , 1992, 1994) duced species are involved in introductions or represent the first efforts to address the conser- translocations for soil improvement. For vation and management issues of an earth- example, one earthworm commonly used by worm. worm breeders is known as 'the Blue' or 'Indian M. australis is an excellent example of a Blue'. This species is usually sold as the exotic flagship taxon and fulfils most of the desirable species excavatus (Perrier) but it has features of flagship taxa outlined by New (1991). recently been identified (Murphy, 1993) as a Those relevant to M. australis include: native species df Spenceriella. The introduced 1. well known and easily identifi- Aporreaodea caliginosa (Savigny), rec- able; ommended for use in increased pasture pro- 2. ability to elicit public sympathy and ductivity, is described as an indigenous appeal; CONSERVATION OF NATIVE EARTHWORMS 601

3. occurrence in areas where other aspects of earthworm translocation within Australia. conservation are a concern (e.g., conserving Indeed worm farming may present an excellent the unknown biodiversity of the soil fauna by opportunity for promoting earthworm conser- aiming to conserve what is already a dimin- vation. ishing habitat); 4. the actual or potential threatening processes Acknowledgments can be identified and response of taxon moni- New, Alan Yen tored; and I would like to thank Drs Tim Blakemore for valuable comments on 5. facility to influence conservation policy. and Rob manuscript. M. australis is a charismatic species that has this aroused public curiosity and sympathy primar- ily due to its novelty value as a giant and its References localised distribution. Adult worms obtain Abbott. 1., 1985a. Influence of some environmental lengths of over 1 m and weigh up to 400 g (Van factors on indigenous earthworms in the northern 1994). This has aroused pride in the Praagh, jarrah forest of . Australian occurs, to local community in which the worm Journal of Soil Research 23: 271-290. year in its earth- the extent that a festival is held each Abbott, I., 1985b. Distribution of introduced honour. The local shire has sponsored a static- worms in the northern jarrah forest of Western Research 23: exhibit of the species in its underground habitat Australia. Australian Journal ofSoil at the Coal Creek Historical Park, a major tour- 263-270. 1994. Distribution of native earthworms in ism focus in the area. The interest generated by Abbott, I., Australia. Australian Journal ofSoil Research 32: this species has raised the awareness of invert- 117-126. ebrates to local Department of Conservation of Abbott, 1. and Parker, C.A., 1980. The occurrence officers who help to and Natural Resource earthworms in the wheat-belt of Western helped record sightings of the species and have Australia in relation to land use and rainfall. influence government policy to protect the Australian Journal of Soil Research 18: 343- worm. The Land for Wildlife scheme was devel- 352. C.A., 1985. Ecology oped to encourage private land owners to con- Abbott, I., Ross, J.S. and Parker, indigenous earthworm Megascolex serve wildlife on their properties and several of the large impahcystis in relation to agriculture near local farmers are involved in conserving stream Lancelin. Western Australia. Journal of the banks, the primary habitat of M. australis, by Royal Society of Western Australia 68(1): replanting steam banks fencing off stock and 13-15. pamphlet with with indigenous vegetation. A Baker. G.H., 1996. Introduction of earthworms to (Van management guidelines for M. australis agricultural soils in southern Australia. In: local land (eds). The Praagh, 1991), is distributed through Temple-Smith, M.G. and Pinkard, T. agriculture and land man- care groups and extension programs. The role of earthworms in Report of the National Workshop held interest generated in this study both nationally agement. Launceston, Tasmania. Department of Pri- and internationally through various television in mary Industry and Fisheries, Tasmania. shows, radio interviews and newspaper and Baker, G.H., Barrett, V.J.. Grey-Gardener, R. and articles served to raise the awareness magazine Buckerfield, J.C., 1992a. The life history and in the environment of the role of earthworms abundance of the introduced earthworms Apor- conservation. and the importance of their reclodea irapezoides and A. caliginosa (Annelida: used to Species such as M. australis can be Lumbricidae) in pasture soils in the Mount Lofty environ- Journal highlight the role of earthworms in the Ranges. South Australia. Australian of ment and increase the interest in the conser- Ecology 17: 177-188. fauna. G.H., Buckerfield, J.C., Grey-Gardener, R., vation of Australia's native earthworm Baker, Merry, R. and Doube, B., 1992b. The abundance With probably only one quarter of Australia's of earthworms in pasture soils in the fauna described and the and diversity indigenous earthworm Soil Biolo^ earthworms Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. conservation status of only two and Biochemistry 24( 1 2): 1 389-1 396. much greater attention known, it is clear that Baker. G.H.. Barrett, V.J.. Grey-Gardener. R. and research to should be given to native earthworm Buckerfield, J.C.. 1993. Abundance and life his- conservation gain a clearer understanding of the tory of native and introduced earthworms (Anne- could be used Lumbricidae) in pasture needs of earthworms. M. australis lida: Megascolecidaeand conservation issues soils in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. to generate awareness of the the unre- Transactions of the Royal Society of South facing native earthworms, including farming and Australia 1 1 7: 47-53. solved issues of unregulated worm 602 B.D. VAN PRAAGH

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