Lake Pedder earthworm

Extinct (1972)  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Clitellata
Order: Opisthopora
Suborder: Lumbricina
Family: Megascolecidae
Genus: Hypolimnus
Blakemore, 2000
Species:
†H. pedderensis
Binomial name
†Hypolimnus pedderensis
(Jamieson, 1974)
Synonyms

Atlantodrilus pedderensis (nomen nudum)
Diporochaeta pedderensis (Jamieson, 1974)
Perionychella pedderensis Jamieson, 1974

Hypolimnus pedderensis - Holotype specimen collected in February 1971, The only known specimen of this species in existence. Photographed at Museum of Tasmania Collections and Research Facility, 11 May 2021

The Lake Pedder earthworm (Hypolimnus pedderensis) is an extinct earthworm species in the family Megascolecidae. Its genus Hypolimnus is monotypic.

It was endemic to the Lake Pedder area in Tasmania, Australia, prior to its flooding in 1972 for a hydro-electric power scheme.

It is only known from a specimen collected from a Lake Pedder beach in 1971.[2] A 1996 survey failed to find it and it is presumed extinct.[2][1]

The Lake Pedder earthworm mainly fed on microbes or algae on sand particles. Their feeding habits were seen to have a considerable impact on the banks of the lake, as the particles they consumed were deposited on the surface of the ground in the form of castings. As these castings were exposed to air, the soil was aerated, improving both the drainage and water holding capacity of the soil.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Blakenmore, R.J. (2003). "Hypolimnus pedderensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2003: e.T41254A10424837. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2003.RLTS.T41254A10424837.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Blakenmore, R.J. (2003). "Hypolimnus pedderensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2003: e.T41254A10424837. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2003.RLTS.T41254A10424837.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021. Listed as Extinct (EX v2.1)
  3. ↑ De Vos, Rick (25 September 2019). "Inundation, Extinction and Lacustrine Lives". Cultural Studies Review. 25 (1): 102–118. doi:10.5130/csr.v25i1.6394. ISSN 1837-8692.


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