ESTUDO DAS COMUNIDADES DE MINHOCAS (ANNELIDA, OLIGOCHAETA) EM ALGUNS AMBIENTES TERRESTRES DO ESTADO DA PARAÍBA

Abstract

The earthworm fauna of three areas from Paraíba State (Northeast Brazil) was sampled from March 1992 to May 1993. Our goals were to verify the occurrence of these animals; to observe the populations behavior, to study the communities dynamic and to try to include the species found into ecological categories. We observed the variation of rainfall, temperature and soil moisture, and conducted a textural analysis of soil of the three studied areas. To capture the animals we used the method suggested by Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Program (TSBF). Eight species belonging to Glossoscolecidae (2), Eudrilidae (2), Ocnerodrilidae (1), Megascolecidae (1) and Octochaetidae (2) were recorded. At the "tabuleiro" area, four species were found with a mean biomass of 5.6 g/m2 and mean density of 22.6 ind/m2. At the "mata" area, two species were found both with low density and low biomass (1.4 ind/m2 and 0.2 g/m2, respectively). Both density and biomass were higher at the "policultura" (60.3 ind/m2 and 22.3 g/m2, respectively) than at the other areas. Pontoscolex corethrurus was the most representative species, being found in all studied environments, with the highest biomass in two areas and densityin the three areas. The majority species were not very representative with low density and biomass. There was predominance of endogeic species, except Pheretima hawayana and Eudrilus eugeniae, that presented anecic behavior. Reproductive period was not determinated because coccoons were not found, except ones of P. corethrurus, that was found for all studied period