Systematic evidence map of research on life-history traits in native and introduced earthworms

Abstract

Invasive species constitute one of the most significant threats to biodiversity worldwide, and are responsible for more than $400 billion in losses each year. An organism's life-history strategy, defined by how it allocates resources among growth, survival, and reproduction, plays a central role in determining whether it becomes invasive. While the life-history profiles of aboveground invaders are increasingly well characterised, those of invasive species below ground remain poorly understood. Earthworms are a diverse group of soil invertebrates that can help fill this knowledge gap. Of the ~5,800 earthworm species described to date, nearly 2% are cosmopolitan, meaning they have achieved wide geographic distributions despite limited ability for active dispersal. While life-history traits are likely to contribute to their worldwide distribution, the existing research on earthworm trait variation has not been systematically reviewed. To address this gap, we assessed the taxonomic scope, geographic coverage, and methodologies of studies on earthworm life history traits for species occurring in the US and Brazil, spanning a broad latitudinal range. Our literature search yielded over 8,000 articles across 180 species and revealed that introduced species have received considerably more research attention than native species. Research was concentrated on a few model species, most studies were experimental, and variation in life history traits was most commonly assessed in response to chemical compounds, vermicompost feed type, and environmental factors such as temperature, moisture and soil composition. Variation in adult survival was reported most frequently, followed by adult growth and cocoon production, with the bulk of life history research conducted in India (20%) and China (9%). To better understand the effect invasive earthworm species might have on native fauna, future research on life histories should address taxonomic biases and prioritise detailed study of the life cycles of native species in their natural habitat.