Abstract
Ecological studies on earthworms were conducted in a Kumaun Himalayan pasture soil. The C:N ratio in the soil declined with increasing depth. A combination of hand-sorting and formalin application was used to sample the earthworms. Three species, Amynthas alexandri, A. diffringens (Megascolecidae), and Eisenia fetida (Lumbricidae) were found. Of the 13310 individuals collected, 99.9% were A. alexandri. The maximum density (138.8 m-2) and biomass (25.2 g m-2) were recorded in the wet season. More than 60% of the total earthworm numbers and biomass were recorded at 0–10 cm in depth. The mean yearly ratio of clitellate to aclitellate worms was 1:7.3.
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Kaushal, B.R., Bisht, S.P.S. Population dynamics of the earthworm Amynthas alexandri (Annelida: Megascolecidae) in a Kumaun Himalayan pasture soil. Biol Fert Soils 17, 9–13 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418664
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418664