earthworms NOT found in the key

Aporrectodea bowcrowensis

Common Name: none

Length: 17-60 mm

Habitat: This species has only been found in an unglaciated area of the Porcupine Hills in Alberta.

Canadian Distribution: Alberta

Physical Description: This earthworm has an epilobic prostomium, it has no colour (not white, green, or red), the clitellum is not flared ventrally, and the tubercula pubertatis are not in the form of small discs. The tubercula pubertatis are located on segments 29-30. The clitellum is located on segments 25-32, and there are genital tumescence on one or more segments in front of the clitellum.

Interesting Facts and Features: This earthworm species is native to Canada.

Arctiostrotus vancouverensis

Common Name: none

Length: 167-381 mm

Habitat: This species has been found in soil under western hemlock, silver fir, western red-cedar, salal, red huckleberry, and deer fern. It has also been found in organic material, onto and into old stumps.

Canadian Distribution: This species has only been found in organic matter on Vancouver Island (British Columbia) and in Washington state.

Physical Description: This earthworm has a tanylobic prostomium, separate setae, is unpigmented when young but develops an orange-brown flush over its entire body as an adult (especially on the back of the head). The annular clitellum is located on segments 13-18.

Interesting Facts and Features: This earthworm species is characteristic of the forests of Vancouver Island. It plays a significant role in the formation of humus (the layer of organic matter at the top of a soil profile; habitat for most decomposers). It was named after the location where it was found.

Bimastos lawrenceae

Common Name: none

Length: data not available

Habitat: This species has been found in a spruce-hemlock forest, containing moist organic matter and matted vegetation in wet situations. Examples of such environments include mosses and matted vegetation in steep cold (4∞C) streams, recent clearcuts, muck of skunk-cabbage swamps, and under wet bark.

Canadian Distribution: Vancouver Island British Columbia

Physical Description: This earthworm has an epilobic prostomium, and its saddle-shaped clitellum is located on segments 25-34. The dorsal side of this species is a pale red colour, while the ventral side (stomach) is transparent. The setae are closely paired. This species was named after the original collector. To date, only five specimens have been studied.

Interesting Facts and Features: Only a few were found on Vancouver Island (near Port Alberni). The presence of Bimastos lawrenceae at this location may provide evidence for a preglacial distribution of Bimastos across Canadian North America, meaning this species of earthworm was able to survive the ice age.

Eisenia hortensis

Common Name: none

Length: data not available

Habitat: This species has been found in the United States of America in cultivated soil, gardens, pastures, woodlands, and is abundant in soils bordering rivers and lakes. It has also been sighted in botanical gardens, lawns, peat bog, compost, and under manure.

Canadian Distribution: open pasture in Peace River Alberta

Physical Description: This earthworm has an epilobic prostomium, a male pore on segment 15, widely paired setae, and has a red to reddish-brown colour on its back. There are also colourless areas on the sides of segment 11. The clitellum is located on segments 26, 27, 28-32, 33, 34. The tubercula pubertatis are found on segments 30-31.