STUDIES ON THE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF EARTHWORMS COLLECTED FROM URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS OF THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA.

The seven species of earthworms belonging to four families (Glossoscolecidae, Megascolecidae, Moniligastridae and Octochaetidae) were identified from the study site in India. The earthworms, Megascolex konkanenesis, Lampito mauritii (both natives) and Pontoscolex corethrurus (exotic) were three species common across all the soil types and habitats. Of these seven species, four species (Megascolex cochinensis, Amynthas corticis (= A. diffringens), Drawida travancorensis and Dichogaster affinis) were reported for the first time from Thrissur District. The highest number of natives was recorded from Kolazhy. The anterior and posterior parts of L. mauritii showed signs of regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]