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Issue: Vol. 5777 No. 1: 17 Mar. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-17
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.5
Page range: 119-138
Abstract views: 20
PDF downloaded: 1

Earthworm species (Crassilitellata) from Eastern Amazonia and Northern Cerrado, Brazil

Postgraduate program in Biodiversity and conservation; Federal University of Maranhão; Av. dos Portugueses; 1966; Department of Biology; UFMA; CEP 65080-805 São Luis-MA-Brazil.
Programa de pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia Legal (BIONORTE); Universidade Estadual do Maranhão; 65055-310; São Luís; Maranhão; Brazil.
Post graduate Program in Agricultural Sciences; Maranhão State University (UEMA); Avenida Lourenço Vieira da Silva 1000; Jardim São Cristovão; 65055-310 São Luís; Maranhão; Brazil.
Post graduate Program in Biodiversity; Environment and Health; Maranhão State University (UEMA); Centro de Estudos Superiores de Caxias; Praça Duque de Caxias; S/N; Morro do Alecrim; 65604-380; Caxias; Maranhão; Brazil.; Soil Biology Laboratory; Maranhão State University; Avenida Lourenço Vieira da Silva 1000; Jardim São Cristovão; 65055-310 São Luis; Maranhão; Brazil.
Annelida Biodiversity Oligochaeta Rhinodrilidae

Abstract

Earthworms are main contributors to the pedogenesis. However, knowledge regarding their diversity and distribution in many regions of Brazil remains limited. This study aimed to report new records and assess the abundance of earthworm species in the eastern Amazon, northern Maranhão Cerrado, and eastern Pará: in the Belém Endemism Center of the Amazon biome more one municipality in the Cerrado. Specimens were collected in eight municipalities between 2010 and 2019 using quantitative and qualitative (active search) sampling methods. A total of 6,379 individuals were recorded, belonging to 14 genera and 22 species, distributed across five families. Pontoscolex corethrurus was the most abundant species, accounting for 81% of all specimens collected. Holoscolex fernandoi (6.4%) and Dichogaster bolaui (3.3%) were also frequently encountered. The remaining 16 species accounted for only 9.3% of the total abundance. These results highlight the dominance of Pontoscolex corethrurus, a peregrine species, indicating its strong adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions. This study expands the knowledge of earthworm diversity in Brazil and underscores the need for further research on the ecological impacts of non-native species on the native fauna.

 

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How to Cite

Sousa, S.C., Hernández-García, L.M., Beckman, R.A.F.S. & Rousseau, G.X. (2026) Earthworm species (Crassilitellata) from Eastern Amazonia and Northern Cerrado, Brazil. Zootaxa, 5777 (1), 119–138. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.5