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Wasmen Manalu

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (2): 505-512

    Andy Darmawan, Tri Atmowidi, Wasmen Manalu & Bambang Suryobroto
    Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) (Oligochaeta Glossoscolecidae) in forest transformation system in Bungku Village, Jambi, Indonesia

    ABSTRACT
    Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) (Oligochaeta Glossoscolecidae) is a widely distributed exotic earthworm. We showed that P. corethrurus completely dominated the secondary forest and agricultural plantations in Bungku Village, Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Bungku Village in Jambi consists of the forest undergoing transformation into oil palm plantation, rubber plantations, and rubber jungle. Purposive random sampling with hand-sorting method was conducted to extract P. corethrurus. We found that all of 940 recovered earthworms were P. corethrurus. Their density was not significantly different in the four systems. Our result showed that P. corethrurus abundance was significantly influenced by soil physical factor, mineral content, and texture. We propose that anthropogenic practice in Bungku Village caused the condition which does not support the native earthworms. Pontoscolex corethrurus which have better tolerance than the native earthworms are favored by anthropogenic practice.