DM Agase, SR Zaheen, SD Turkar, SM Khan, MM Bisen, RR Pardhi and DOTurkar

The present study investigated earthworm diversity in the undisturbed forest soils of Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, India. A total of five species were identified, belonging to three orders and three families: Lumbricus rubellus (Redhead worm), Eisenia fetida (Red wiggler worm), Lumbricus terrestris (Common earthworm), Drawida ghatensis, and Lampito mauritii (Indian earthworm). Among these, Lumbricus terrestris and Lampito mauritii showed higher frequencies, while Drawida ghatensis occurred less commonly, indicating habitat-specific preferences. The presence of such taxonomic diversity underscores the ecological integrity of undisturbed soils and highlights the importance of conserving natural habitats to sustain belowground biodiversity and maintain ecosystem balance.

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