Ref ID : 1144
C.R. Kennedy; The distribution and habitat of Limnodrilus Claparede (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae). OIKOS 16:26-38, 1965
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1. The geographical distribution of the seven species of Limnodrilus is summarised. Three species are cosmopolitan, two are holarctic, one neotropical, and one is restricted to Eastern Asia and Western U.S.A. 2. Five species of the genus occur in Britain. Two, L. cervix and L. profundicola, have a very restricted distribution and it is concluded that have both been introduced into this country with comparatively recent times. The remaining three species, L. hoffmeisteri, L. claparedeanus and L. udekemianus, are widespread. 3. All species of Limnodrilus are unable to tolerate a high, degree of organic or inorganic pollution, or to withstand high salinities, but L. hoffmeisteri was more tolerant of these factors than the other species. 4. All species occured in almost all types of freshwater habitat, and it was not possible to recognise the habitat preferences of individual species or their limiting factors. 5. Studies in selected localities revealed a high degree of spatial and temporal variation in the abundance of species. There was no correlation between the observed variation and the observed abiotic factors of the environment. 6. It is concluded that the factors influencing the distribution and abundance of the species of Limnodrilus are primarily biotic in nature, and that attempts to relate distribution to abiotic factors are likely to be of limited value.