New paper in Biodiversity Data Journal sharing data in @gbif:

#Earthworm occurrence dataset extracted from Russian-language literature

#CiteTheDOI:

#OpenAccess: ️

https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.12.e130897

A new kind of earthworm was discovered in Bavaria, southern Germany . Lovely! It was named "Helodrilus bavaricus" (no photo, it just looks like a regular earthworm to me) #earthworm #nature

I spend a lot of time doing science communication on how interesting and important soil organisms are, often focusing on the more fascinating-looking creatures like springtails and mites...

...BUT, did you know that earthworms were my gateway soil animal? In fact, I did my PhD on earthworm ecology, and how they can improve damaged soil for growing trees!

If you need a little help going to sleep tonight, you can always read my thesis here: https://clok.uclan.ac.uk/16560/
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Earthworm #SoilScience #Macrophotography

New publication: Typical #earthworm assemblages of European #ecosystem types. #biogeography #ecosystemtypes #habitatclassification #soilorganisms
https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13584

La lombriz gigante de Gippsland (Megascolides australis) mide un metro, pero puede triplicar esa longitud. A pesar de su tamaño, crecen lentamente y viven en pequeñas colonias que se reproducen con la misma lentitud. #earthworm #lombriz

Here in Washington DC, we've had wet weather this week. As I walked along many blocks of sidewalks, I was surprised not to see any earthworms. In the past, there were usually many earthworms on the sidewalks after rainfall. Where the heck did all the earthworms go?

Having your photography on journal covers is basically the same thing as publishing in them, right?

Either way, it’s always a great feeling to see my photos used to promote soil biodiversity in print

*NEW PAPER ALERT*

Do amateur naturalists and research scientists look for earthworms in different places? Do they therefore find different species? Are 'rare' earthworm species really just living in overlooked habitats?

YES to all of the above!

Find out more here (it's open access ):

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1164556324000487?via%3Dihub

Did you know, there's earthworms that aren't truly 'earth' worms, because they LIVE UP IN TREES!!

Here's a European 'corticolous' (tree-living) species, Dendrobaena attemsi. They can be found in organic pockets up in canopies, which they reach by using rows of little spines on their bodies to grip as they climb up tree trunks!

...the writhing ...

#writhing #worms #earthworm worm #dustbunny #tapeworms #creature #surrealhorror #horrorai #darkart #illustration

Look at this fat boi I found when spreading mulch yesterday!

'The number of British earthworms may have declined by a third'

https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/05/22/the-number-of-british-earthworms-may-have-declined-by-a-third

'Worms give earth structure, aerate it and improve crop growth. A paper by Professor Fonte estimated that without earthworm action, global grain production would be 6.5% lower, equivalent to “the annual grain production of Russia”.'

We just had to move an approximately 18 inch long earthworm from the hallway to the grass outside… dude was huge. #earthworm #worms