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2 New Earthworm Species Found in Kerala
August 22 , 2017
2464 days
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- Scientists have discovered two new primitive species of earthworm in the Western Ghats mountain ranges in Kerala.
- They have named the new earthworm species Drawida polydiverticulata and Drawida thomasi.
- There had been sixteen Drawida species known from the state with ten of them being unique.
- To date, there are 73 species of the genus Drawida confirmed to be living in the Indian subcontinent. However, the greatest concentration (43 species) is found in the Western Ghats. The genus has an important centre of speciation in Kerala.
Drawida polydiverticulata:
- 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.
- The second new earthworm, Drawida thomasi, was collected at the Kozhippara Waterfalls near Kakkadampoyil, at the border between Malappuram and Kozhikode.
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