Ecology of the earthworm Allolobophora carpathica in field and laboratory studies

Allolobophora carpathica is an earthworm species found in the Eastern Carpathian mountain region, but little information is available on its ecology. Field sampling in beech woodland of the Bieszczady National Park, SE Poland, found this species in soils with a pH of less than 5.0 and C:N ratios of 12 to 13. From sampling over 2 years, at 4 sites with differing sub-vegetation, a mean density of A. carpathica of 6.75 individuals m-2 with a biomass of 8.65 g.m-2 was recorded. The largest mature adults were in excess of 14.0 g but there were significant differences (p < 0.01) between sampling sites. Seasonal patterns of abundance were observed.To obtain more data on the growth and breeding biology of this species, specimens were collected from the field, taken to laboratories and maintained in mesocosms under controlled environmental conditions. Cocoon production was 0.88 cocoons per earthworm per month at 15oC, but under fluctuating temperature conditions (16 - 24oC) no cocoon production occurred. The mean cocoon biomass was 83 mg (n = 104) and incubation took 178 days at 15oC (n = 14), although hatchability was low (22%) under these conditions. Growth from the hatchling stage, (mean mass 86 mg; n = 18), to maturity (c. 8.5 g) took 8 - 12 months at 12oC.