The Earthworms (Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae and Sparganophilidae)in Canada

This book describes and illustrates 33 species of terrestrial earthworms that are known to be introduced and/or are native species: 23 species are introduced European taxa, 2 species are Oriental introduced taxa, and 8 are native to Canada.

By John Warren Reynolds
2022 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada
Canadian Food Inspection Agency/Government of Canada

Excerpt:

In my early career, I used to think that all earthworm activities were positive, but in recent decades the spread of invasive species at the expense of native earthworms has become evident. Some of this is due to climate change permitting native and more tropical species to extend their range northward and in some cases into Canada. Since earthworms have no skeleton or bones, fossil records are virtually nil. The last glacial period removed any trace of significant record of what may have been in the pre-glaciation period.

I have often thought of myself as the antithesis of Johnny Appleseed, whose popular image is of a man crossing the continent spreading apple seeds randomly everywhere he went (Means, 2011). For over 50 years I have travelled the ten provinces and the Yukon, plus 45 of the 49 continental United States, and various foreign countries, collecting specimens at every opportunity.

This book describes and illustrates 33 species of terrestrial earthworms that are known to be introduced and/or are native species: 23 species are introduced European taxa, 2 species are Oriental introduced taxa, and 8 are native to Canada. Greenhouse aliens are not included in the species accounts, but are mentioned at the beginning of the Systematics Section (p. 31). There have been several species over the years which have been intercepted by regulatory agencies and sent to me for identification, but not released into the country, e.g. Amynthas corticis (= A. diffringens), Dendrobaena veneta, Dichogaster bolaui, Microscolex dubius and Perioynx excavatus.

A key is included for native and introduced species of terrestrial earthworms. A diagnosis of the species is accompanied by illustrations of the species. An illustrated glossary is included for all terms mentioned in this book.

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