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Diversity and Distribution of Earthworms Species in Guru Nanak Dev University Campus, Amritsar, Punjab, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, INDIA
  • 2Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, INDIA
  • 3Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, INDIA

Res. J. Agriculture & Forestry Sci., Volume 1, Issue (2), Pages 35-40, March,8 (2013)

Abstract

The present study deals with the survey of the Guru Nanak Dev University Campus from the month of August 2009 to July 2010 to explore it s earthworm's diversity and distribution both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitatively earthworms fauna included six genera belongs to three different families viz. Megascolecidae (Metaphire posthuma, Amynthas morrisi and Lampito mauritii ), Octocha etidae (Eutyphoeus incommodes and Octochaetona beatrix) and lumbricidae (Bimastos parvus ). Metaphire posthuma was the dominant species among all and present at all the study sites. B. Parvus had the maximum mean density of 53.25±6.75 individuals per m 2 w here as L. mauritii had the least density of 5.8±7.11 individuals per m 2 . Maximum abundance was seen in rainy season in least disturbed shady area rich in vegetation. Correlation between various physico - chemical parameters and different earthworm species w ere studied and found that they were positively correlated with soil temperature, moisture, pH, organic carbon and organic nitrogen ( at 5% level of significance). Values of Margalef's index (R 1 =0.58) and Menhinicks index (R 2 =0.16) were found highest at si te I and lowest (0.29 and 0.10) at site II respectively. Simpson index (I=1.01) was found highest at site III and lowest (0.40) at site 1. Shannon's - Weiner's index (H') value's (1.59) was found highest at site 1 and lowest (1.08) at site II. Maximum specie s evenness (0.99) was recorded at site 1 while minimum (0.63) at site III

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