The present discovery of two new species and five new local records further contributes to the vast species richness of the genus in Kerala. Photo: ReutersThiruvananthapuram: Scientists have discovered two new primitive species of earthworm in the Western Ghats mountain ranges in Kerala. Researchers at Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala and Shoolini University in Himachal Pradesh named the new earthworm species Drawida polydiverticulata and Drawida thomasi. The second new earthworm, Drawida thomasi, was collected at the Kozhippara Waterfalls near Kakkadampoyil, at the border between Malappuram and Kozhikode, they said. To date, there are 73 species of the genus Drawida confirmed to be living in the Indian subcontinent, researchers said.

Source: Mint August 19, 2017 09:45 UTC