[CANUFNET] Jumping Worms

[C. Kavassalis]

Jumping worms have been confirmed in Ontario. These worms have been
identified by Dr. Michael McTavish -(S.M. Smith Forest Health Lab) and Dr.
John W. Reynolds (Oligochaetology Laboratory). Dr. Mctavish writes:
“Altogether, the five collections captured four species of pheretimoid
jumping worm, including two that were found in that initial 2014 Essex
County collection (*Amynthas agrestis, Amynthas hilgendorfi syn. Metaphire
hilgendorfi*) and two new species that have not yet been recorded in Canada
(*Amynthas minimus, Pithemere bicincta*). The distribution is as follows:
Wheatley: *A. hilgendorfi, A. minimus*
Dundas:* A. agrestis, A. minimus*
East York:* A. hilgendorfi, Pithmere bicincta*
Toronto: *A. agrestis*
Blythwood Ravine: *A. hilgendorfi*
We are currently putting together a short paper on these observations
(Reynolds and McTavish, in prep.).”
These worms will have unknown consequences for urban forests. Please report
sightings to Dr. McTavish and your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency
office (CFIA) Tel: 647-790-110.
Learn more about potential impacts: Jean-David Moore, Josef H. Görres, and John
W. Reynolds. 2017. Exotic Asian pheretimoid earthworms (*Amynthas* spp.,
*Metaphire* spp.): Potential for colonisation of south-eastern Canada and
effects on forest ecosystems. *Environmental Reviews*. 26(2): 113-120.
https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2017-0066
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321636493_Exotic_Asian_pheretimoid_earthworms_Amynthas_spp_Metaphire_spp_Potential_for_colonisation_of_south-eastern_Canada_and_effects_on_forest_ecosystems

Best regards,
Catherine Kavassalis
MGOI.ca
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