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<p>The earthworm fauna of North America consists of a dynamic pool of native and non-native species. History of glaciation during the Pleistocene may strongly affect present earthworm assemblages, but its importance relative to other factors is unclear. We used a standard sampling protocol at 94 sites across 13 states to better understand the factors affecting diversity and abundance of earthworms in the eastern and central United States. We divided our sites into Northeastern Glaciated, Midwestern Glaciated, and Non-glaciated regions. Habitat type, proximity to water and roads, soil type and drainage, and soil pH were measured. A small number of European species was dominant throughout the sampled region. Native earthworms were rare and pheretimoid (“jumping worm”) species were present only at a small portion of our sites. Earthworms were most abundant and diverse in the Midwestern Glaciated region, where non-native earthworm invasion was the most recent, and least common and diverse below the southern limit of glaciation. Soil pH had a subtle positive effect on earthworm abundance and diversity. Community composition differed among regions and habitats. Assemblages also differed between summer and autumn/spring, probably due to seasonal sampling biases. Earthworm communities in previously glaciated areas, and especially in the recently invaded Upper Midwest, may benefit from soil organic matter accumulated during millennia without earthworms since glacial retreat.</p>

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Earthworm assemblages in the Eastern and Midwestern United States and the legacy of glaciation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月6日

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  • Timothy S. McCay,
  • Laurel J. Anderson,
  • Christopher P. Bloch,
  • Abigail E. Cahill,
  • Sandra L. Cooke,
  • Benjamin J. Dolan,
  • Kathryn M. Flinn,
  • Danielle Garneau,
  • Nathaniel J. Hains,
  • Kristy Hopfensperger,
  • Mary Beth Kolozsvary,
  • Carol Mankiewicz,
  • Sara E. Scanga,
  • Jennifer L. Schafer,
  • Ezra Schwartzberg,
  • Drew A. Scott,
  • Kathleen L. Shea,
  • Jeffrey Simmons,
  • Jennifer N. Styrsky

摘要

The earthworm fauna of North America consists of a dynamic pool of native and non-native species. History of glaciation during the Pleistocene may strongly affect present earthworm assemblages, but its importance relative to other factors is unclear. We used a standard sampling protocol at 94 sites across 13 states to better understand the factors affecting diversity and abundance of earthworms in the eastern and central United States. We divided our sites into Northeastern Glaciated, Midwestern Glaciated, and Non-glaciated regions. Habitat type, proximity to water and roads, soil type and drainage, and soil pH were measured. A small number of European species was dominant throughout the sampled region. Native earthworms were rare and pheretimoid (“jumping worm”) species were present only at a small portion of our sites. Earthworms were most abundant and diverse in the Midwestern Glaciated region, where non-native earthworm invasion was the most recent, and least common and diverse below the southern limit of glaciation. Soil pH had a subtle positive effect on earthworm abundance and diversity. Community composition differed among regions and habitats. Assemblages also differed between summer and autumn/spring, probably due to seasonal sampling biases. Earthworm communities in previously glaciated areas, and especially in the recently invaded Upper Midwest, may benefit from soil organic matter accumulated during millennia without earthworms since glacial retreat.