New Earthworm Species

• 22 Mar 2024

Researchers at CUO and Mahatma Gandhi University uncover two new earthworm species in Koraput district, Odisha.

• Specimens collected by CUO student Ayusmita Naik during an earthworm diversity study.
• Examination in the laboratory with support from earthworm specialists leads to identification of Megascolexjeyporeghatiensis and Megascolexquadripappilatus.
• The global count of Megascolex species rises to 70, with India hosting 34 of them.
• Megascolex species primarily inhabit the southern portion of the Western Ghats' mountain ranges in Peninsular India.