Assessment of burrow re-use by Lumbricus terrestris L. through field experimentation

Abstract

An 11 month field experiment was set out to investigate evidence of burrow re-use by
Lumbricus terrestris. This was established in a temperate, broadleaved woodland and involved
removal of adult L. terrestris from 12, 1 m2 plots, with subsequent monitoring of re-colonisation.
The spatial distribution and duration of L. terrestris middens was examined statistically. These
observations suggest that L. terrestris burrows could be recycled or inherited. Such behaviour
could be a means of minimising energy expenditure for burrow construction or due to a
preference for a more favourable microenvironment in the drilosphere. Although evidence of
burrow re-use is presented, the limitations of the experimental work are noted.