2 New Earthworm Species Found In Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Scientists have discovered two new primitive species of earthworm in the Western Ghats mountain ranges in Kerala.

Researchers at Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala and Shoolini University in Himachal Pradesh named the new earthworm species Drawida polydiverticulata and Drawida thomasi.

For Drawida polydiverticulata, its multiple lobes, also called diverticulums - an organ located in the front of its body - are unique amongst the members of the genus. This species was found to be widespread in the protected shola grasslands of the Munnar region, including Eravikulam National Park, Pampadun Shola National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, researchers said.

The second new earthworm, Drawida thomasi, was collected at the Kozhippara Waterfalls near Kakkadampoyil, at the border between Malappuram and Kozhikode, they said.

In addition to the new species belonging to the primitive family Moniligastridae, the scientists also report the occurrence -read more