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Studies of the behaviour of Artioposhia triangulata (Platyhelminthes; Tricladida), a predator of earthworms
Author(s) -
Lillico S.,
Cosens D.,
Gibson P.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1996.tb05409.x
Subject(s) - flatworm , earthworm , biology , predation , burrow , oligochaeta (plant) , turbellaria , predator , ecology , lumbricus terrestris , invertebrate
A significant negative correlation between the numbers of earthworms and the flatworm was demonstrated in fromalin‐sampled lawns. Their distributions, recorded by a transect from a shrub border where the flatworm is suspected to have been introduced, indicated that predation may lead to earthworm extinction. Two different vermarium designs demonstrated a gradation of earthworm vulmerability to the flatworm due to depth within the soil and burrow width rather than perference for specific earthworm species. A strong correlation between the level of earth worm predation and flatworm movement implied active hunting. A predation rate was found to be 0.67 of an earthworm per flatworm per week with a metabolic conversion rate of 10%.