Skip to main content

News

Evidence of the rare earthworm species Proctodrilus opisthoductus in Fendt


In autumn 2017, scientist from the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL) discovered the earthworm species Proctodrilus opisthoductus in Fendt in the framework of the SUSALPS project. Proctodrilus opisthoductus is a rare endogeic earthworm species in Germany and has a length of 2.5 to 7.5 cm. In Germany, this species was discovered for the first time in 2016 in Kirchweidach (Altötting) in a grassland soil and in an arable soil cultivated with cup-plant (Silphium perfoliatum). According to Dr. Norbert Höser, an expert for earthworms in central Europe, these records represented the north westernmost occurrence of Proctodrilus opisthoductus in Europe. Further records were made by the LfL in grasslands soils of Kempten and Hohenpeißenberg in spring 2017. At all sites, only a few adult species were detected indicating a low population density.