EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA: ACANTHODRILIDAE, LUMBRICIDAE, MEGASCOLECIDAE AND SPARGANOPHILIDAE) IN THE SOUTHWESTERN APPALACHIANS ECOREGION (68), USA.

The Southwestern Appalachians Ecoregion in the United States occurs in portions of four states in the American southeast. There are 30 species found here representing 14 genera and four families (Acanthodrilidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae and Sparganophilidae). Eleven of the species are native (endemic) to North America; all the others are European, Oriental, or Pantropical (exotic) introductions. A description of the ecoregion and two colour photographs are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]