One of Australia's leading earthworm experts, Dr Geoff Dyne, offers the following about the role of earthworms in the rainforest: Some of the species described thus far from the Wet Tropics have been found in only one location but others are common throughout the region. Researchers believe, however, that there are hundreds more species waiting to be found. In the Wet Tropics region, researchers have already found and described roughly 40 species of earthworms (not including introduced species) out of a total of 325 earthworm species known throughout Australia. Others are involved in the important job of breaking down decomposing material in the soil, thereby releasing nutrients for use by living things. Some of these are notoriously parasitic (such as those which live their lives in an animal's intestinal tract!). Three classes of worms we would expect to find in the rainforest are flatworms, nematodes (roundworms) and annelids (segmented worms and leeches). There are roughly half a dozen categories of worms and quite a few of these are marine species. Perhaps you've never spared any thought for worms, except when you are doing some backyard gardening and inevitably find some earthworms with your shovel! But while you're looking at all the wonderful and colourful animals of the rainforest, don't forget that the smallest creatures sometimes have the most important roles.
0 kommentar(er)
