Nelloscolex burkilli ( Michaelsen, 1907 )

Kharkongor, Ilona J., 2018, Taxonomic and ecological studies on the earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) of West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, Records of the Zoological Survey of India 118 (1), pp. 56-56 : 56-

10. Nelloscolex burkilli ( Michaelsen, 1907)

1907. Woodwardia burkilli Michaelsen, Mitt. Naturhist. Mus. Hamburg, 24: 152.

1939. Nelloscolex burkilli : Gates, Rec. Indian Mus., 41:38.

Material examined: 2 ex. Regn. No. IV /ANN/NERC-15. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Winnia Falls area , N 25 o 26’59.0”; E 91 o 14’45.1”; Alt. 1318m, 24.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party .

Diagnosis: length 50 mm. Segments 125. Prostomium prolobic.Lumbricine.First dorsal pore at 9/10.Spermathecal pores two pairs in 7/8 and 8/9. Clitellum annular, from 12-16 or 13-17. Female pore antero-median from setal line in 13. Testis in two pairs in 9 and 10.

Septa 7/8-15/16 thickened. Gizzard in 6. Intestines from behind 13. Intestinal caeca absent.

Distribution: INDIA: Meghalaya (EKHD, WKHD). Elsewhere: Myanmar.

Remarks: This Burmese species was first reported from India (Meghalaya) by Julka in 1977 ( Halder, 1999) with its occurrence in Shillong and Mawphlang (both in EKHD). It is now recorded from WKHD too. This species is found to live in the surface to root zone of the soil. Apparently it feeds on the organic matter in the soil as it is generally found in soils with rich organic content.