Exploring the Relationship Between Earthworm Traits and Cast Composition: A Microcosm Approach
1 : Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (iEES-Paris), F-75005 Paris, France
(IEES)
Université Paris-Sorbonne - Paris IV, CNRS, Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD]
2 : Laboratoire des Radio-Isotopes
(LRI)
3 : Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
(UCBL)
INRAE
4 : Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement de Paris
(iEES Paris)
Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement
Earthworms modify soil functioning via casting production activities. We examined 9 earthworm species. We explored the impact of adding behavioral and physiological traits. we analyzed the links between the morpho-anatomical, physiological and behavioral traits and the physicochemical properties in casts. Results indicated significant differences among species. Earthworm species significantly modified all physicochemical parameters. Co-inertia analysis also indicated significant covariation between earthworm traits and casts properties and allowed to identify 9 traits that are the most influential.