Density, biomass and vertical distribution of Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny 1826) (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) in Benghazi, Libya

Studies were conducted during the period May 1993 to April 1994 on the density, biomass and vertical distribution of Aporrectodea caliginosa, a common species of earthworm found in the Benena farms in Benghazi, Libya. The soil of the farm was a clay loam, pH 7.3, and the organic matter averaged 4.2%...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Biology and fertility of soils Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 102 - 105
Main Authors:	Bennour, S.A, Nair, G.A
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Berlin Springer 1997
Subjects:	Animal and plant ecology Animal, plant and microbial ecology Animals Aporrectodea caliginosa Biological and medical sciences biomass Demecology earthworms edaphic factors Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Mediterranean climate population population density population structure Protozoa. Invertebrata rain seasonal variation soil depth soil organic matter soil temperature soil water content spatial distribution Libya North Africa Mediterranean Basin Africa Climate Bank Zoology Environmental factor Biomass Oligochaeta Earthworm Seasonal variation Aporrectodea caliginosa AGRICULTURAL SOILS Agriculture Developmental stage Irrigation canal SOIL FAUNA Arid environment Vertical distribution Annelida Lumbricidae Clay loam soil Agroecosystem Edaphic factor IRRIGATED FARMING Macrofauna Soil biology Invertebrata Population density
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Summary:	Studies were conducted during the period May 1993 to April 1994 on the density, biomass and vertical distribution of Aporrectodea caliginosa, a common species of earthworm found in the Benena farms in Benghazi, Libya. The soil of the farm was a clay loam, pH 7.3, and the organic matter averaged 4.2%. Maximum density and biomass of A. caliginosa were recorded from October to December 1993 and again during March and April 1994, and minimum values were recorded from May to July 1993. A juvenile dominant population was observed during the summer. This was followed by an increase in subadults and adults during the autumn, winter and spring seasons. A positive correlation of the moisture and an inverse correlation of soil temperature on the density and biomass of these animals were discernible. A. caliginosa mainly confirmed their activities to the surface organic zone (0-10 cm depth) of the soil for most of the months studied.
ISSN:	0178-2762 1432-0789
DOI:	10.1007/BF01420228