Earthworm species occurrence in agroecosystems in the Midlands, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

By

Nxele, Thembeka C.
Mwabvu, Tarombera
Yekwayo, Inam

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2021-8-12

Original Publication

African invertebrates : a journal of biodiversity research

Volume

62

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

411--425

Subjects

agroecosystems , diversity , Earthworms , indigenous

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Council of the Natal Museum 2001-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.62.67875

 

Abstract

Little is known about the species composition of earthworms in agroecosystems in South Africa even though earthworms provide soil ecosystem services and are useful biological indicators of changes in the habitats. Given the land use and management impact biodiversity, the aim of this study was to document earthworm species that occur under cultivated land in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. A survey of nine farms that practise conservation agriculture was carried out between 2018 and 2020. Twelve earthworm species belonging to four introduced families: Acanthodrilidae (Dichogaster bolaui), Rhinodrilidae (Pontoscolex corenthrurus), Lumbricidae (Aporrectodea caliginosa,Aporrectodea rosea,Aporrectodea trapezoides,Lumbricus rubellus,Octolasion cyaneum,Octolasion lacteum), Megascolecidae (Amynthas aeruginosus,Amynthas corticis,Amynthas gracilis,Amynthas rodericensis) and juveniles from an indigenous family Tritogeniidae were recorded from cultivated fields. The type of crop (habitat) affected both species richness and abundance of earthworms significantly. However, post hoc results showed differences in species richness between the soya and the maize only, with greater species richness in the maize. Our results demonstrate that habitat type has a major influence on communities of earthworms in agroecosystems.