Leaf litter acceptance and cast deposition by peregrine and endemic European lumbricids (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)

In Central Europe a rich endemic earthworm fauna exists. The ecology of most of these species has not been studied. In laboratory mesocosms we examined leaf litter acceptance and cast deposition of a total of 30 species, 21 of which were endemic. In both experiments earthworms, especially small species, exhibited a variety of behaviors. Hornbeam litter was consumed at higher C/N values by anecic species, but some epigeics still did not accept it. Surface cast deposition varied between 0 and 100% among small endogeics. Most anecic species deposited their casts belowground, but the model anecic species, Lumbricus terrestris was an exception: 79% of its total cast was deposited on the surface. Epigeics and endogeics did not clearly separate in these behavioral traits. Refinement of ecological categorization of Lumbricidae needs to include data on lesser known species.