Diversity of terrestrial Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) in Latin America: Current knowledge and future research potential

Abstract

This article reviews the current knowledge on terrestrial enchytraeid diversity in Latin America and it outlines the research potential that this group offers. Enchytraeids occur worldwide in all soils with sufficient moisture, oxygen and nutrient supply, but knowledge on their diversity and functioning in the tropics is practically non-existent, except in Latin America. Here, taxonomic efforts and research projects have led to the knowledge of currently 62 terrestrial or semi-aquatic species. Abundance of enchytraeids could be determined at the species level, and differences in the ecological behaviour of species were detected concerning factors such as soil type and land use. Especially South America harbours a rich and idiosyncratic enchytraeid fauna, dominated by genera or species absent or rare in other regions of the world, which is interesting from the phylogenetic point of view. However, only a minute fraction of the actual diversity is known to-date. Seventeen species are possibly peregrines. Densities appear to be comparable to those in temperate regions, from below 10,000 to 270,000ind.m−2, suggesting that enchytraeids may be as important for soil processes as in temperate regions. Site-specific species richness makes enchytraeids good biological indicators. Enchytraeids provide a widely open field for research in Latin America ranging from taxonomy and faunistics over biogeography, phylogenetics, comparative morphology, and developmental biology, to fundamental and applied ecology. The widespread ignorance concerning enchytraeids among scientists and naturalists as well as the current taxonomic impediment should be overcome by sound taxonomical and ecological work, training courses, identification manuals and popularization.