The Ecology of Earthworms in Cattle-Grazed Machair in Tiree, Argyll

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Abstract
Soil habitat of mature maritime grassland (machair) is briefly described. Allolobophora caliginosa occurred more commonly in open soil but both Dendrobaena octaedra and Lumbricus rubellus were found aggregated in or under bullock dung-pats. Annual cycle of abundance reaches a peak in Dec, falling to a trough from June to Aug., with a secondary peak in April. Reproductive cycle (measured by fluctuations in percentage of clitellum-bearing earthworms in monthly samples) reaches a peak from Oct. to Jan. and a trough from May to Sept., with a sharp fall in May and an increase in Oct.