Megascolex horai Stephenson, 1922

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-

6. Megascolex horai Stephenson, 1922

1922. Megascolex horai, Stephenson, Rec. Ind. Mus. , 24: 432. 1934. Tonoscolex horai : Gates, ibid., 36: 256.

Material examined: 6 ex. Regn. No. IV /ANN/NERC-04. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Nongkhnum – Lailad , N 25 o 26’21.8”; E 91 o 16’01.4”; Alt. 1377m, 24.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party .

Diagnosis: Length 50-110 mm. Segments 166-188. Prostomium epilobic, tongue open. Perichaetine, in fairly regular longitudinal lines. Dorsal pores from 10/11. Spermathecal pores two pair in 6/7/8, as small transverse slits. Clitellum from 12/13-16/17, distinguishable only from the different colouration. Male pores in 17, post-setal and on small papillae.

Septa 7/8-13/14 slightly strengthened. Gizzard in 7, firm and barrel-shaped. Ovaries in 12. Testis in 9 and 10. Seminal vesicles in 11.

Distribution: INDIA: Meghalaya (EKHD, WKHD). Elsewhere: Not recorded.

Remarks: So far, this species has never been recorded from other parts of the country. It is classified as an endogeic – polyhumic species occupying the surface to root zone soil strata. It feeds on soil with a high organic content. Recorded, herein, for the first time from WKHD.