First Report of the Earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) from Punjab, India

Abstract

The earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) is reported for the first time from Punjab, India. This species was first described by German naturalist Fritz Müller in 1857 from Santa Catarina state of Brazil. It is commonly found in gardens, cropland and fallowlands. It tolerates wide range of climatic and edaphic factors due to its endogeic ecological category. P. corethrurus has high efficiency for organic matter assimilation and has ability to live in new habitat due to which it can survive even in very poor soil. The life cycle of this species is well documented and this species has economic importance due to its use in waste management.