Journal of Environmental Biology

Diversity and New Records of Earthworms in Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India 

H. Lalthanzara¹, C. Zothansanga¹, M. Lalchhanhima¹, N.S. Kumar², J. Ngukir³, A. Kimsing³ and M. Vabeiryureilai²* 

¹Department of Zoology, Pachhunga University College, Aizawl -796 001, India

²Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University, Aizawl -796 004, India

³Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar- 791 112, India

*Corresponding Author Email : m.vabeiryureilai@gmail.com

Paper received: 06.02.2020??????? ??????????????? ???????????????????????Revised received: 30.06.2020 ???????????? ?????????????????????????????????Accepted: 10.07.2020

Abstract

Aim: Arunachal Pradesh, one of the best tropical rain forest areas within Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot is expected to have a rich earthworm diversity. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to document the diversity of earthworms in Arunachal Pradesh from field collection and existing literature.

Methodology: Earthworm specimens were collected by random sampling method by digging and hand sorting method from different habitat in Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. Conventional methods of identification based on morpho-anatomical characters was performed.? Molecular characterization, the genomic DNA was extracted followed by PCR amplification by mtDNA CO1 gene. The PCR product obtained was subjected to the Sanger sequencing by AB3500 Genetic Analyzers (ThermoFisher).????

Results: Twelve earthworm taxa were identified using conventional and molecular methods of identification under eight families. Out of which, four families were previously recorded and two families viz., Rhinodrilidae and Eudrilidae are new to the existing record. Out of the 12 earthworm species, seven species are new record from the state, such as Amynthas corticis, A. gracilis, Bimastos parvus, Dichogaster modigliani, Eudrilus eugeniae, Octochaetona beatrix and Pontoscolex corethrurus. Among the identified species, A. gracilis was the most widely distributed species followed by A. corticis and Drawida nepalensis. With these seven new additions, the valid species of earthworms of Arunachal Pradesh comes to 46 species. The CO1 gene sequence of newly recorded species from Arunachal Pradesh was submitted to NCBI GenBank.?????

Interpretation: Our findings enriched the diversity of earthworm species in Arunachal Pradesh by contributing two new families i.e. Rhinodrilidae and Eudrilidae and seven new species record such as Amynthas corticis, A. gracilis, Bimastos parvus, Dichogaster modigliani, Eudrilus eugeniae, Octochaetona beatrix and Pontoscolex corethrurus. Thus, the total earthworm diversity in Arunachal Pradesh has become 46, the second-highest record of all north-eastern Indian states with a high potential of the new addition.??

Key words: Diversity, Earthworm, Molecular characterization, Species

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