The earthworms of British Columbia are a little known faunal group. We would like to thank the Royal Ontario Museum for providing permissions to use extracts, including illustrations, from the following publication in the atlas pages: Reynolds, John W. 1977. The Earthworms (Lumbricidae and Sparganophilidae) of Ontario. Thanks also to John Reynolds for provision of substantial information on earthworms and review of the atlas pages.
Species Information
This native species is considered an ancient species (Marshall and Fender, 2005). Mckey-Fender et al. (1994) provide a description for this species; John Reynolds has summarized this description as follows: “Length of mature specimens 74-88 mm, diameter 4.5-6 mm, number segments 113-121, prostomium epilobic half open behind, sides of tongue converging, dorsal pores present behind clitellum. Setae separate, dorsal interval wide, AA:AB:BC:CD:DD = 2.6:1.0:2.4:2.2:4.0), DD:U = 0.33, on x, and 2.8:1.0:2:0:1.9:5.3, DD:U = 0.41, on xxx AB much narrower in segments near male poles. Penial setae strong, curved, sculptured, with rows of teeth, 845 x 26 μ. Genital markings intersegmental, paired or unilateral 19/29, short transverse ovals centered in A. Male porophores paired, broadly lunate, each with 3 pores (male pore and 2 penisetal pores), covering xviii and encroaching on xvii and xix, centering in B. Proventriculus thin-walled, smooth internally. Gizzard mostly in v, 5/6 thin, gizzard short, oesophagus in vii-xiv. Intestine expands in xvii. Typhlosole cross section a narrow-limbed T shape, a lamella with vein either side on free edge, beginning gradually as a simple ridge in xxi and xxii. Posterior calciferous gland region xv and xvi externally somewhat narrowed at 15/16, internally lined with about 16 continuously longitudinal thin lamellae not interrupted at 15/16; pre-intestinal constriction xvii and anteriormost xviii with low white longitudinal folds. Caeca paired on dorsum of intestine, deeply saccate in xxiii-xxviii plus lesser sacs in xxix-xxx and bulges in xxxi-xxxiii. Holandric, testes and funnels free in x and xi, seminal vesicles postseptal dorsolaterally in xi and xii, of many cauliflower-like lobes. Spermathecae, quadrithecal in vii and ix with broadly ovoid ampulla tapering to a short duct with multiloculate diverticular bulge across anterior and lateral face of duct; spermathecal pores in furrows 7/8 and 8/9 in setal in B, with glandular, puckered lips. Nephropores inconspicuous, those visible irregularly alternating between loosely defined levels above D and between B and C. Colour, unpigmented.”
Source: Marshall, Valin G. and William M. Fender. 2007. Native and Introduced Earthworms (Oligochaeta) of British Columbia. Megadrilogica 11 (4): 29-52.
When disturbed this species will “shorten into a stiff phallic shape and not move” (Hendrix 1995).
Habitat
A typical resident in a mixed coniferous forest in Oregon (Hendrix 1995). Found in the spruce-hemlock forest region of western North America (McKey-Fender et al. 1994).
Distribution
Global Range
This species is found only in the US and Canada. In the US, it is widespread in Oregon and Washington (Scudder 1996; Marshall and Fender 2007).
Canadian and BC Range
In Canada this species is found only in BC. It is rare on Vancouver Island, found west of Douglas peak and east of China Creek, at Mt. Ozzard, Ucluelet (Marshal and Fender 2007).
Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2021. E-Fauna BC:
Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab
for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed:
2024-09-07 5:12:07 PM]
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