Agartala: In a landmark moment for biodiversity and ecological understanding in Northeast India, two previously unrecorded species of earthworms, christened Kanchuria tripuraensis and Kanchuria priyasankari, have been officially identified in Tripura. This significant discovery promises to enrich the scientific understanding of soil biodiversity within the region.
The groundbreaking revelation emerged from a collaborative research endeavour involving scientists from both Tripura and Kerala. Spearheading this effort was Dr. Animesh Dey, an Assistant Professor at the Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Tripura University.
Dr. Dey informed India Today NE that the initial specimens of these two species were collected between 2004 and 2010. This occurred during the doctoral research undertaken by Dr. Dey himself and Dr. Sabyasachi Nath, under the esteemed guidance of the renowned earthworm taxonomist, Prof. Priyasankar Chaudhuri (Retd.). It was only through the diligent efforts of a newer generation of researchers, who successfully recollected fresh specimens, that the formal description and classification of these earthworms could finally be completed.
The first of the newly identified species, Kanchuria tripuraensis, has been aptly named after the state of Tripura. It was observed flourishing in both rubber and pineapple plantations, underscoring the surprising ecological richness that can exist even within landscapes modified by agricultural activities.
The second species, Kanchuria priyasankari, serves as a heartfelt tribute to Prof. Priyasankar Chaudhuri. His four decades of unwavering dedication to earthworm taxonomy have not only advanced the field but also firmly placed Tripura on both the national and international maps for soil biodiversity studies.
According to the published research, K. tripuraensis is distinctly characterised by the presence of single ventromedian spermathecae in segments 7 and 8, a feature that sets it apart within the Kanchuria genus. Conversely, K. priyasankari falls within the turaensis-species group, which is known for possessing three pairs of spermathecal pores. However, it differentiates itself from its closest relative, K. turaensis, through variations in its body size and reproductive structures.
With these new additions, the genus Kanchuria, which is native to Northeast India, now encompasses a total of 10 species. This discovery also elevates the total count of recorded megadrile worm species in Tripura to 38, further solidifying the Eastern Himalaya–Northeastern Hills as India’s second most diverse region for earthworm species, surpassed only by the Western Ghats.
This significant discovery unequivocally highlights the crucial importance of prolonged ecological studies, cooperative fieldwork, and the dedicated preservation of microhabitats, even within environments that have been altered by human activity. Furthermore, it underscores Tripura’s growing prominence as a vital contributor to the nation’s broader biodiversity research landscape.
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