The planarian Artioposthia triangulata (Dendy) feeding on earthworms in soil columns

Predation on three species of earthworms by the terrestrial planarian, Artioposthia triangulata, was compared in columns of artificial soil (10 cm dia, 1 m depth) at four different temperatures (5, 10, 12 and 16°C). The planarian significantly reduced the number of earthworms and affected the vertical distribution of all species by reducing prey numbers in the top 20 cm. Greater earthworm mortality occurred at higher temperatures but there was no difference in the numbers of each species that were killed.