An analysis of the structure of the burrow system of the giant gippsland earthworm megascolides australis McCOY, 1878 using 3D-images

Megascolides australis, the giant earthworm of Gippsland (Victoria, Australia) is one of the larger earthworm inhabiting pasture soils. The burrow system has been partly described during summer; it shows a clear connected network structure with permanent burrows; long burrow (length >1.5m) and group of numerous short ones ranging from 20 to 110cm below the soil surface. A 3D representation, computed from field data, shows the patterns of this system, observed from different points. The structure of the system is discussed regarding the life cycle of this species.