Kanchuria octotheca Julka, 1988

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-

19. Kanchuria octotheca Julka, 1988

1988. Kanchuria octotheca Julka, Res. Bull. Sci. Panjab Univ. , 39 (1-2): 88.

Material examined: 3 ex. Regn. No. IV /ANN/NERC-07. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Umlieh, Phud-Umlieh , N25 o 32’13.7”; E91 o 22’18.3”; Alt. 1573 m, 25.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party ; 2 ex. Regn.No.IV/ANN/NERC-09. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Nongstoiñ-Siejlieh , N25 o 31’47.8”; E91 o 15’13.0”; Alt. 1324 m, 26.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party; 8 ex. Regn. No. IV/ANN/ NERC-13. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Pamphyrnai , N25 o 32’19.5”; E91 o 20’57.0”; Alt. 1556 m; 25.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party ; 1 ex. Regn. No. IV/ANN/ NERC-14. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Winnia Falls area , N25 o 26’59.0”; E91 o 14’45.1”; Alt. 1318 m; 24.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party ; 2 ex. Regn. No. IV/ANN/ NERC-41. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Nongstoiñ, Mawlongphlang , N25 o 33’32.4”; E91 o 14’23.5”; Alt. 1379 m ; 26.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party; 7 ex. Regn. No. IV /ANN/NERC-57. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, on way to Langja village , N25 o 42’27.9”; E91 o 10’45.0”; Alt. 1062 m ; 23.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party; 4 ex. Regn. No. IV /ANN/NERC-65. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Nongstoiñ, Nondeiñ , Soil Conservation Deptt. IB Compound, N25 o 31’34.7”; E91 o 15’38.7”; Alt. 1356 m; 26.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party .

Diagnosis: Length 140-280 mm. Segments 200-440. Prolobic. Lumbricine. Dorsal pores from 11/12. Clitellum one-third 13 or 14-17. Spermathecal pores 4 pairs, minute, mid-ventrum, at 6/7-9/10. Male field slightly depressed on 18, with a pair of co mma-shaped lateral thickenings. Male pores minute in a depression between the lateral thickenings. Genital markings and seminal grooves absent.

Gizzard single in 5. Intestinal origin in 15. Seminal vesicles in 12. Prostates in 18-19. Octothecal.

Distribution: INDIA: Meghalaya (WGHD, WKHD)

Remarks: This species is endemic to Meghalaya. It was earlier recorded from WGHD, now it is recorded from WKHD also. It is an endogeic- polyhumic species, occupying the surface to root zone layer of the soil and feeding on the organic matter available in its habitat.