Diplocardia meansi
Diplocardia meansi, Means's Giant Earthworm, or Rich Mountain Giant Earthworm, is a species of earthworm endemic to the United States. It is the second longest earthworm in North America. It was discovered by D. Bruce Means in 1973 and later described by Gates in 1977. It occurs only on Rich Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountains.[1]
| Diplocardia meansi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Class: | Clitellata |
| Order: | Opisthopora |
| Suborder: | Lumbricina |
| Family: | Acanthodrilidae |
| Genus: | Diplocardia |
| Species: | D. meansi |
| Binomial name | |
| Diplocardia meansi Gates, 1977 | |
Description
Diplocardia meansi only occurs on Rich Mountain, located in Oklahoma and Arkansas. D. meansi was found by Means while digging for salamanders on Rich Mountain. D. meansi can be over 18 inches, and is the second longest earthworm in North America.
D. meansi inhabitats drier areas of the mountain, and is not found in mesic and saturated soils nears seeps or streams. It occurs mostly in poor developed talus soils. During rains in May, D. meansi can be seen plentifully on the surface, potentially to breed. Cocoons laid include only one or two immatures.[1]
Bioluminescence
Similar to D. longa, Diplocardia meansi exhibits bioluminescence.
If tweaked or shocked in the dark, D. meansi secretes a distasteful glowing coelomic fluid.[1]
References
- Robison, Henry W.; Allen, Robert T. (1995-01-01). Only in Arkansas: A Study of the Endemic Plants and Animals of the State. University of Arkansas Press. ISBN 978-1-55728-326-9.