A contribution to the earthworm diversity (Clitellata, Moniligastridae) of Kerala, a component of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India, using integrated taxonomy

Earthworms (Clitellata, Moniligastridae) of Chaliyar River Malappuram, Eravikulam National Park, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar National Park, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and Wayanad Forest, Kerala, a component of the hotspot of Western Ghats, India, were studied by the standard method of taxonomy, and their genomic signatures using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) were generated for the first time. This study represents eleven species of earthworms of the family Moniligastridae, Drawida brunnea Stephenson; Drawida circumpapillata Aiyer; Drawida ghatensis Michaelsen; Drawida impertusa Stephenson; Drawida nilamburensis (Bourne); Drawida robusta (Bourne); Drawida scandens Rao; Drawida travancorense Michaelsen; Moniligaster aiyeri Gates; Moniligaster deshayesi Perrier and Moniligaster gravelyi (Stephenson). In the phylogenetic analysis all the species were recovered in both NJ and ML tress with high clade support. The average K2P distance within and between species was 1.2% and 22%, whereas the clear barcode gap of 2-5% was suggested by barcode gap analysis (BGA) of studied species, reflecting the accuracy of characterization. The study presents the first step in the molecular characterization of the native earthworm family Moniligastridae of India.