The giant Gippsland earthworm (Megascolides australis) is one of Australia's 1,000 native earthworm species. They have a dark purple head and a blue-grey body, and about 300 to 400 body segments.

Ecology

They live in the subsoil of blue, grey, or red clay soils along stream banks and some south- or west-facing hills of their remaining habitat, which is in Gippsland in Victoria, Australia. These worms live in deep burrow systems and require water in their environment to respire. They breed in the warmer months and produce egg capsules that are in length that are laid in their burrows. When these worms hatch in 12 months, they are around long.

Unlike most earthworms, which deposit castings on the surface, they spend almost all their time in burrows about in depth and deposit their castings there and can generally only be flushed out by heavy rain. They eat organic matter, as well as bacteria and fungi, which may have allowed them to better adapt to the change from a forest to pasture living area.

Threatened status

Gippsland earthworm colonies are small and isolated, Their natural habitats are grasslands, and while they can survive beneath pastures, Wildlife Wonderland Park near Bass, Victoria, was home to the Giant Earthworm Museum. Inside the worm-shaped museum, visitors could crawl through a magnified replica of a worm burrow and a simulated worm's stomach. Displays and educational material on the giant Gippsland earthworm and other natural history of Gippsland were also featured.

Tourism

Interest in the giant Gippsland earthworm has been exploited by the local tourist industry, with an annual Karmai Festival in Korumburra. In the Boonwurrung language, it is said to have been called karmai.

See also

  • Giant Palouse earthworm - a vulnerable North American species
  • Oregon giant earthworm - a relative of the Palouse earthworm, specimens have been recorded at 1.3 m (4 ft) long
  • Lake Pedder earthworm - listed as the first "extinct" worm species from its original unique Tasmanian habitat
  • Lumbricus badensis - giant (Badish) earthworm
  • Microchaetus rappi - giant South African earthworm

References

  • Giant Gippsland earthworm at the Museum Victoria website