Homing ability widens the sphere of influence of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. |
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| Authors: | Visa Nuutinen Kevin R Butt |
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| Institution: | a Soils and Environment, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
b Department of Environmental Management, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK |
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| Abstract: | We report that the deep-burrowing earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. possesses short-range homing capability. For 2 months we followed the soil surface activity of 18 field-collected L. terrestris in an experimental laboratory population. We recorded 26 cases where an individual after completely leaving its burrow returned to the burrow by backing along its own outward trail. Maximally, homing occurred from a distance of 0.70 m and after more than 3 h on the soil surface. The evolution of homing ability in L. terrestris is most likely related to the importance of the burrow for survival and reproduction. This adaptation also guarantees individuals an expanded foraging area, which we believe can partly explain the remarkable efficiency of L. terrestris in the burial of surface litter. |
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| Keywords: | Lumbricus terrestris Earthworms Homing behaviour Litter burial Ecosystem engineers |
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