Earthworms Re: [Annelida] Darwin Day here

[Geoff Read]

Didn't have any Darwin-related worm science to post on Darwin Day, but
here is a nice one.

Butt, K.R.; Lowe, C.N.; Beasley, T.; Hanson, I.; Keynes, R. (2008).
Darwin's earthworms revisited. European Journal of Soil Biology 44(3):
255-259. 
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2008.03.004 

Begins: "The rationale for this work stemmed from the publication of
“The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms”
(FVM) by Charles Darwin. Many authors have discussed these writings, but
as previously noted, most of Darwin's references to earthworms do not
define which species were under scrutiny (even though behavioural
descriptions make some species recognisable). It was therefore
determined that with the permission of English Heritage, the grounds of
Down House (Darwin's home from 1842 to 1882 and the location of many of
Darwin's observations recorded in FVM) would be surveyed for earthworms,
where possible with direct reference to passages drawn from FVM. From
what is known about the management of the land through the 125 years
since Darwin's time, there appears to have been little change in its
suitability for different kinds of earthworm, and Darwin's records can
therefore be linked with some confidence to likely species. ..."


>>> On 12/02/2009 at 8:11 a.m., "Geoff Read" <g.read from niwa.co.nz>
wrote:
> Greetings from Wellington, NZ, near the leading edge of Earth's
dateline , 
> where already it is well into February 12th 2009, and Darwin's 200th
birthday 
> anniversary.
> 
> 200 years ago today in Shrewsbury, England, little Charlie made news
for the 
> first time of many!
> 
> Happy birthday to come Mr D.


-- 

 Geoff Read <g.read from niwa.co.nz>
  http://www.annelida.net/
  http://www.niwascience.co.nz/ncabb/
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