New earthworm species adds to Western Ghats’ rich biodiversity

A squad of researchers has identified a caller earthworm taxon from the Vazhani dam country of the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary successful Thrissur territory of Kerala.

Belonging to the genus Drawida, which is people restricted to the south, southeast and eastbound asiatic region, and the household Moniligastridae, the earthworm has been named Drawida vazhania. The find has been published successful the peer-reviewed diary Zootaxa.

According to the researchers progressive successful the discovery, Rajendran Menon Ardra of the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology nether the Department of Zoology, Christ College, Irinjalakuda, and S. Prasanth Narayanan of Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, D. vazhania, with tiny assemblage size, is simply a subordinate of the Barwelli taxon group.

With the statement of the caller species, the radical present comprises 7 species. D. vazhania tin beryllium easy differentiated from different members of the Barwelli radical by the beingness of a grooved antheral genital field, a kidney oregon bean-shaped prostate, a constrictive tubular C-shaped prostatic capsule and a chiseled tiny sessile atrium connected the assemblage wall.

India is 1 of the astir earthworm divers countries successful the world, with astir 71% of genera and 89% of taxon endemic to the country. The highest diverseness of earthworms successful India is recovered successful the Western Ghats and the westbound seashore plains, which unneurotic relationship for astir 58.4% of each known earthworm taxon successful the country. With the caller finding, the full fig of Drawida taxon reported from India and the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot has risen to 83 and 55 respectively, the researchers said.

Highest number

Among the Western Ghats States, Kerala has the highest fig of Drawida species, with 31 recorded truthful far, including 16 endemic to the State.

Mr. Narayanan said the main issues straight affecting earthworms successful the Western Ghats are situation demolition and transformation. “Kerala’s midlands and coastal lowlands person astir wholly mislaid their wood screen owed to respective quality activities that person existed since clip immemorial. There is practically nary remaining protected onshore successful the State’s midlands, but for a fewer areas of wood screen successful the districts of Thrissur, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta,” helium said.

Other members of the probe squad see P. Sunil Kumar, A.V. Sudhikumar and A.P. Thomas.