Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(4): 1594-1599 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 4 (2017) pp. 1594-1599 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.604.196 Soil Analysis and Diversity of Earthworms in the Polluted Area of Palakkad, Kerala and Kanuvai, Coimbatore, India Danny Jacob1, K. Sreelakshmi1, T. Sandra Rajan1, K. Saminathan2, P. Kathireswari1* 1Department of Zoology, 2Department of Chemistry, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India *Corresponding author ABST RACT K e yw or ds A comprehensive study was conducted on the distribution of earthworms Earthworm, and soil analysis in the Polluted area of Palakkad district. There are some Diversity, Peregrine, exotic and native peregrine species which has the inherent ability to Soil Parameters, withstand in disturbed habitats. Such earthworm species have high Palakkad, Kanuvai. medicinal value due to the presence of immunologically active compound Article Info in their body. The present study reveals that four different species of Accepted: earthworms was identified from the sampling stations and analysed the 15 March 2017 influence of the soil parameters like macro and micro nutrients on Available Online: earthworm diversity. 10 April 2017 Introduction Earthworms are the group of invertebrates highlighted the role of earthworm in soil belonging to the Phylum Annelida and class health also. The book entitled “the formation Oligochaeta and represented by more than of vegetable mould, through the action of 5000 species. Earthworms are present in worms, with observation on their habits”, moist and dark places in mud. Earthworms published in 1881 shows his deep are of great economic value to mankind understanding of earthworm biology and their because they improve the soil quality by their role for paedogenesis. Earthworms are the action. They ingest organic material and most important components of the soil biota facilitate the redistribution of crop residues in terms of soil formation and maintenance of and organic matter throughout the soil profile soil structure and fertility. Earthworm species (Timothy et al., 1999). In the Indian are generally categorized environmentally as subcontinent earthworms are represented by being Epigeic, endogeic and anecic. Epigeic 509 species in 67 genera under 10 families species live in organic litter near the soil (Julka, 1993). Darwin (1881) though surface and generally have a short life cycle popularly known for his theories on evolution and high fecundity. Endogeic earthworms live but he was one of the pioneers who in and feed on the soil. They make horizontal 1594 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(4): 1594-1599 burrows through the soil. Anecic earthworms The total area is 4480 Km2 out of which about make permanent vertical burrows in soil. 1360 km2 is covered with forests. The climate is pleasant for most part of the year. Research has shown that earthworm species Collection location was near the municipal composition and distribution is dependent bus stand, near automobile’s washing unit. upon the properties of the soil, including soil moisture, texture, depth, pH, and organic Taxon sampling and preservation matter content (Curry, 2004). However, local earthworm distribution can also significantly Adult earthworms are collected from the affect soil structure, varies from species to polluted area near lorry washing location in species. Earthworm diversity and distribution Palakkad district by digging and hand sorting pattern are generally governed by a variety of method (Julka, 1993). biotic and abiotic factors such as soil properties, surface litter, vegetation type and Collection was done during the month July its dynamics, land use pattern, local or 2016. The collected specimens were regional climate and pressure of human identified by Dr. P. Kathireswari. The activities. presence of earthworm was located based on availability of worm caste on surface soil and India is one of the major earthworm diversity colour and humidity of soil. Adult countries and has 11.1% available out of total earthworms were sorted and taken in to earthworm diversity in the world. Majority of college laboratory along with their native soil. Indian earthworm has specific preference for Then they are washed with distilled water and natural habitats; a few peregrine Indian preserved in 68% formalin solution for species have successfully colonized in agro identification. The preserved specimens were ecosystem. Totally 88 species and sub species identified by Dr. P. Kathireswari. of earthworms are identified from Kerala, among these 30% of earthworms are reported Determination of Macro and Micro from Palakkad district (Narayanan et al., Nutrients 2012). Earthworms are among the most important components of soil biota in terms of The determination of macro and micro soil formation, maintenance of soil structure nutrients of soil inhabited by earthworms are and fertility (Bhadauria and Saxena, 2010). In done in soil analysis centre, RS Puram, the present study we have analysed the Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Macro nutrients earthworm diversity of polluted area of like N, P, K and Micro nutrients like Fe, Mn, Palakkad district, Kerala. Zn, Cu, and sulphur were analysed by titration method (Van Reeuwijk, 2002). Materials and Methods Results and Discussion Study site The earthworm survey conducted in polluted Palakkad is located 10.7867° N, 76.6548° E. area Palakkad town revealed that the It has an average elevation of 140 metres (460 occurrence of 4 species of earthworms ft) with a width of 30 kilometres (19 mi). This belonging to 3 families namely Eudrilus is the largest district out of the 14 districts in eugeniae, Lampito mauritii, Megascolex Kerala state. Palakkad is the gateway to konkanensis and Esinea foetida were Kerala due to the presence of Western Ghats. identified. 1595 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(4): 1594-1599 Sl. No. Family Species Ecological category Native/ exotic 1 Eudrilidae Eudrilus eugeniae Epigeic Exotic 2 Megascolecidae Lampito mauritii Anecic Native 3 Megascolecidae Megascolex konkanensis Endogeic Native 4 Lumbricidae Esinea foetidae Epigeic Exotic Eudrilus eugeniae Megascolex konkenensis Taxonomy: It is included in the phylum: Taxonomy: Phylum Annelida, class Annelida, class: Oligochaeta, Order: Oligochaeta, family Megascolecidae, genus Opisthopora, Family: Eudrilidae Megascolex (templeton, 1844), species Konkenensis (Fedrab, 1898). Distribution: This species of earthworm native to tropical West Africa and now Distribution: Megascolocideae are large widespread in warm regions, both wild and family of earthworms which has native under vermicompost, and also called the representatives in Australia, New-Zealand, African night crawler both south-east and East Asia and North America. These are widely distributed in the Lampito mauritii tropical and temperate zones Taxonomy: It is included in phylum annelid, class; Oligochaeta, order: Haplotaxida and The result of soil analysis showed that family: Megascolecidae. earthworm rich in soil have high macro and micro nutrients. In the present study nitrates Diagnosis: Average length 9-13.5cm, average level is higher in polluted area of Palakkad diameter -0.29-0.32cm.total segments or district than the agroecosystem of Kanuvai, clitellar segments or type of clitellum -168- this may be due to the presence of more 195; prostomium –prolobus, location of organic content and the polluted soil contain prostate gland. high amount of Cu, Mn and Zn. Distribution: It is a peregrine species, The identified earthworms belong to 3 distributed all over the world. Its habitat different families Megascolicidae, Eudrilidae include garden, manure, heaps, fields etc. and Lumbricidae and species Eudrilus eugeniae, Lampitomauritii, Megascolex Esinea fetida konkenensis, Esineafoetida were identified. Eudrilus eugineae is found abundant among Taxonomy: It is included in the phylum the sampled species. They are ecologically Annelid, class-Oligochaeta, order- categorized into epigeic, anecicand endogeic Haplotaxida, family: Lumbricidae. respectively. The earthworms ecologically categorized based on Bouche (1972) and Diagnosis: it is smaller is size 3-4 inches long Lavelle, 1983 and 1997) depending on their and they have altering bands of darker and specific living space in the soil profile and lighter colour often with a yellow tip. their sources of food. Epigeic species are small sized, live in soil holorganic horizons Distribution: They are native to Europe, but and preferentially consume litter or dung. have been introduced to every other continent except Antarctica. 1596 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(4): 1594-1599 Graph.1 Macro nutrients present in the surrounding soil of earthworm in percentage per hectare 124 6.5 122 6 Polluted 5.5 Polutted 120 Kanuvai 5 Kanuvai 118 4.5 N P 250 200 150 100 Polluted 50 Kanuvai 0 k Graph.2 Micro nutrients present in the surrounding soil of earthworm in percentage perhectare 0.95 0.9 0.85 polluted 0.8 kanuvai 0.75 Zn 4 3 2 Polluted 1 Kanuvai 0 S 1597 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(4): 1594-1599 Map Showing the Study Site KANUVAI, COIMBATORE Anecic species are large sized and mix plant specific distribution of earthworms in fragments and mineral particles ingested different ecosystems. Several factors like soil, during their burrowing through the soil and climate, available organic resources, land use feeding on