Status revision of two endemic Megascolex Templeton, 1844 subspecies from the Western Ghats of Kerala State, India (Clitellata, Megascolecidae)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The earthworm genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844, is restricted to Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Herein this work the status of the two endemic Megascolex subspecies, namely, M. konkanensis longus Stephenson, 1915, and M. cochinensis phaseolus Stephenson, 1915, are revised based on a collection of specimens from the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve of Kerala State, India, where the type locality Parambikulam is situated. Detailed descriptions of M. konkanensis longus Stephenson, 1915 and M. cochinensis phaseolus Stephenson, 1915 are provided along with illustrations of the key characters. Based on the current study, both subspecies are elevated to species rank as M. longus and M. phaseolus.
Source: Opuscula Zoologica
Institutions: Mahatma Gandhi University, Shoolini University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Mahatma Gandhi University
OpenAlex ID: W4412514409