"Hypolimnus" redirects here. Not to be confused with the butterfly genus Hypolimnas.
Earthworm species
Lake Pedder earthworm
Holotype specimen collected in February 1971, the only known specimen of this species in existence. Photographed at Museum of Tasmania Collections and Research Facility
It was endemic to the Lake Pedder area in Tasmania, Australia, prior to its flooding in 1972 for a hydro-electric power scheme. It is only known from the holotype specimen collected from a Lake Pedder beach in 1971. A 1996 survey failed to find it and it is presumed extinct.[1]
The Lake Pedder earthworm mainly fed on microbes or algae on sand particles. Their feeding habits were seen to have a considerable impact on the banks of the lake, as the particles they consumed were deposited on the surface of the ground in the form of castings. As these castings were exposed to air, the soil was aerated, improving both the drainage and water holding capacity of the soil.[4]