Two new species of earthworms have been discovered in Koraput, Odisha. (representative)

Koraput, Orissa:

Researchers from Central University of Odisha (CUO) in collaboration with scientists from Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala have discovered two new species of earthworms in the eastern state, officials said.

In a study on earthworm diversity conducted in different parts of Koraput district, CUO student Ayusmita Naik from Rani Some large earthworm specimens were collected from Duduma and Jeypore ghat areas.

He said the specimens were carefully examined in the laboratory by the researchers with the support of R Paliwal, retired scientist of the Zoological Survey of India, and earthworm experts Prasantha Narayanan and AP Thomas of the Advanced Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Mahatma Gandhi University .

“These earthworm species were subsequently identified as two new species – Megascolexjeyporeghatiensis and Megascolexquadripappilatus – which were completely new to science,” Mr Palita said.

He said the discovery of the two new species was recently published in the prestigious international taxonomy journal Zootaxa.

Palita said the total number of macropod species in the world has now increased to 70, 34 of which are found in India.

He added that the macropod species are mostly restricted to the southern regions of the Western Ghats in the southwestern corner of the Indian peninsula.

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