02447naa a2200157 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001910000190006024501280007926000090020752017820021670000140199870000150201270000140202777302480204114686242005-12-06       2005    bl ---       0--  u    #d1 aMARTINS, P. T.  aComparison of three different sampling methods for earthworms in agricultural and natural ecosystems near Londrina, Brazil.  c2005  aSampling earthworms is generally a labor intensive and time consuming activity and means of reducing the time and effort necessary to sample earthworm populations are always welcome. With this in mind, we set out to compare the traditional hand-sorting method to two alternatives: electro-shocking and dilute formalin expulsion. The following collection methods were used in anative forest 9secondary vegetation) and the edge of a marsh (cattai), and two agroecosystems: after sorghum harvest and a &gt 10 yr old Cynodon spp. pasture grazed by horses. Electro-shocking (Thieleman octet method) was performed over an area of approximately 0.4 m2 for 20 min and immediately thereafter, earthworms were handsorted from 0.16 m2 soil monoliths, to a depth of 30 cm, under the electro-shocked area. Formalin (0.5%) was applied over a 1 m2 area, 5-m away, and the surfacing earthworms collected. Eight samples were taken in a 70-m transect in the forest and the marsh and 5 samples were taken in the agroecosystems. All earthworms were killed in dilute ethyl alcohol (30%) and then fixed in formalin. All individuals collected with each method were-counted (separately into age classes), weighed and identified to species level (when possible). At all sites, electro-shocking yielded the fewest earthworms. Amynthas gracilis and Urobenus brasiliensis predominated in the forest, and Pontoscolex corethrurus dominated in the marsh where formalin worked best of all. Dichogaster spp. dominated in the agroecosystems, where handsorting worked best, yielding the most earthworms. Electroshocking and formalin appear to be interesting methods to sample mostly large, surface-active earthworms, whereas handsorting appears to be better suited for smaller, mostly endogeic earthworm species.1 aNUNES, D.1 aPASINI, A.1 aBROWN, G.  tIn: ENCUENTRO LATINO-AMERICANO DE ECOLOGIA Y TAXONOMIA DE OLIGOQUETOS, 2., 2005, San Juan, Puerto Rico. [Resumenes]. San Juan, Puerto Rico: International Institute of Tropical Forestry: Fundación Puertorriqueña de Conservación, 2005. p. 37.