Survey of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, Megascolides australis in areas potentially affected by a realignment of the South Gippsland Highway – Bena to Korumburra
Museum Victoria Science Reports: No. 3 pp 1-5 (2002)
Abstract
A survey for the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, Megascolides australis, was conducted in an area between Bena and Korumburra, which is the subject of a planning study into possible improvements to the South Gippsland Highway. Assessment of any impacts of road construction on M. australis and opportunities for mitigation are discussed.
Giant Gippsland Earthworm populations were recorded in two areas along the proposed route for the realignment of the South Gippsland Highway. Both sites were located on the north side of the highway in Victoria Rail Track land. The first site encompassed an area approximately 200 m long within which eight earthworm sites were located. A juvenile earthworm and three egg cocoons were also recorded within this area. The Narracan Burrowing Crayfish, Engaeus phyllocercus, a listed species of burrowing cray also appeared to occur within a creek/soak at this site. The second area was very localised and while one adult Giant Gippsland Earthworm was located, no evidence of any other Gippsland worms was found.
Recommendations for protecting the populations of Giant Earthworms at site one includes carrying out possible improvements to the South Gippsland Highway on the south side of the existing highway for approximately 400 m in the vicinity of the designated earthworm habitat, leaving the north side where the earthworms occur intact.
Citation
Van Praagh, B.D., and Hinkley, S.D. 2002. Survey of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, Megascolides australis, in areas potentially affected by a realignment of the South Gippsland Highway – Bena to Korumburra. Museum Victoria Science Reports 3: 1–5.