Earthworms diversity of Koppal district with the updated information on genus Thatonia of Hyderabad–Karnataka region, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Earthworm survey was conducted in the selected habitats of Koppal district (15°09?00? to 16°03?30?) of Hyderabad- Karnataka region. Earthworms were collected from Holemudalapura, Matti Mudalapura, Shivapur, Nelogal, Taralkatti, Putakmari, Kurubanhal, Budakunti, Anegundi and Rampur. 8 genera and 14 species of earthworms were identified viz., Dichogaster bolaui, Dichogaster modigliani, Octochaetona albida, Octochaetona paliensis, Octochaetona parva and Octochaetona prashadi belonging to family OCTOCHAETIDAE; Lampito mauritii, Perionyx fulvus, Perionyx koboensis, Perionyx millardi, Polypheretima elongata thecomorph and Polypheretima elongata athecomorph belonging to family MEGASCOLICIDAE; Thatonia gracilis and Thatonia parva belonging to family OCNERODRILIDAE and Eudrilus eugeniae belonging to family EUDRILIDAE. The smallest being Thatonia gracilis having a length of 2–2.5 cm and diameter of 1–1.5 mm and largest being Eudrilus euginiae having length 26–27 cm and diameter 5–5.6 mm. Dichogaster bolaui, Lampito mauritii, Perionyx koboensis Perionyx millardi, Thatonia gracilis & Thatonia parva were found in the garbage. Dichogaster modigliani, Lampito mauritii, Octochaetona albida, Octochaetona paliensis, Octochaetona parva, Polypheretima elongata thecomorph were found near the bore-well sewage water. Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx millardi, Polyperetima elongata athecomorph, Thatonia parva and Octochaetona prashadi in the gutter. Perionyx koboensis was found in the irrigated land. Parameters like temperature, humidity were recorded and physicochemical analysis of the soil was carried out. © 2018 National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA)