A contribution to the earthworm diversity (Clitellata, Moniligastridae) of Kerala, a component of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India, using integrated taxonomy

S S Thakur,S W James,S K Jain,A R Lone,S K Tiwari,S Yadav

doi:10.32800/abc.2021.44.0117

Abstract

Earthworms (Clitellata, Moniligastridae) of Chaliyar River Malappuram, Eravikulam National Park, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar National Park, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and Wayanad Forest, Kerala, a component of the hotspot of Western Ghats, India, were studied by the standard method of taxonomy, and their DNA barcode signatures using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) were generated for the first time. This study represents eleven species of earthworms of the family Moniligastridae: Drawida brunnea Stephenson, Drawida circumpapillata Aiyer, Drawida ghatensis Michaelsen, Drawida impertusa Stephenson, Drawida nilamburensis (Bourne), Drawida robusta (Bourne), Drawida scandens Rao, Drawida travancorense Michaelsen, Moniligaster aiyeri Gates, Moniligaster deshayesi Perrier, and Moniligaster gravelyi (Stephenson). In the phylogenetic analysis all the species were recovered in both neighbour–joining (NJ) and maximum likelihood (ML) trees with high clade support. The average K2P distance within and between species was 1.2 % and 22 %, whereas the clear barcode gap of 2–5 % was suggested by barcode gap analysis (BGA) of studied species, reflecting the accuracy of characterization. The study presents the first step in the molecular characterization of the native earthworm family Moniligastridae of India. Data published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/l2nlhz)

Highlights

Moniligastridae is a family of earthworms indigenous to southeast and eastern Asia
The reliability of the DNA barcode as a data source for species delimitation depends on the barcode gap, which is a marked discontinuity between the values of intraspecific and interspecific divergences
barcode gap analysis (BGA) suggested a barcode gap of 2–5 % with no overlap, which support the accuracy of DNA barcoding to delimit moniligastrid taxa

Summary

Introduction

Moniligastridae is a family of earthworms indigenous to southeast and eastern Asia. Among them Drawida is most diverse with 73 species in India Earthworms of this family have drawn the attention of earthworm biologists as they retain the single layered clitellum characteristic of Clitellata other than earthworms (Crassiclitellata) yet function ecologically as do the crassiclitellate earthworms. The family is characterized by simple pointed setae, four pairs per segment, a clitellum beginning on segment 9 or 10 and extending over 3 to 10 segments, including those bearing genital pores; male pores one pair (Drawida, Moniligaster) or two pairs (Desmogaster) in or near grooves 10/11, 11/12 or 12/13; female pores one pair in 11/12 or XII or XIV. One pair of ovaries in the segment immediately in front of the groove or segment on which the female pores are situated, one pair of ovisacs extending backwards from the ovarian segment.

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