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Issue: Vol. 486 No. 1: 6 Apr. 2004
Type: Article
Published: 2004-04-06
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.486.1.1
Page range: 1–27
Abstract views: 109
PDF downloaded: 3

New genera and new species of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Octochaetidae) from Western Ghats, South India

Zoological Survey of India, Solan 173 211, Himachal Pradesh, India
Institut de Recherche pour le Développment IRD, Laboratoire Most/UR Seq-C, B.P. 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
The French Institute of Pondicherry, 11, Saint Louis Street, Pondicherry 605 001, India
Annelida Earthworms Oligochaeta Octochaetidae Western Ghats Karnataka state South India taxonomy new genera new species

Abstract

Examination of earthworm material collected during the ecological studies from the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hot spot in South India, showed the existence of new genera and new species of octochaetid earthworms. Three new genera, Senapatiella with three new species (S. alfredi, S. ghatensis, S. herbettuensis), Shimodrilus with two new species (S. bhatkalensis, S. karniensis) and Herbettodrilus containing one new species (H. bahli) are erected. Other new species, Konkadrilus shimogensis, K. gatesi, Hoplochaetella lavellei, Karmiella sulvalliensis and Wahoscolex michaelseni are also described. Keys to the species of Senapatiella and Shimodrilus are provided.

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