Review Article

The Role of Earthworms in Tropics with Emphasis on Indian Ecosystems

Table 6

Population density of earthworms in different habitats in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu studied during 1997–1999 [22].

Study siteDescriptionEarthworm speciesAvg. population density (no./ m 2 )

(1)Cultivated landLampito mauritii (Kinb.).12.52
Megascolex insignis Mich.7.82
Drawida chlorina (Bourne).8.88
Drawida paradoxa Rao.5.10
Drawida pellucida var. pallida Mich.18.60

(2)Unirrigated crop landLampito mauritii (Kinb.).14.18
Octochaetona thurstoni Mich.5.46
Drawida chlorina (Bourne).5.04
Drawida pellucida var. pallida Mich.11.10

(3)Uncultivated shaded fallow landLampito mauritii (Kinb.).17.88
Drawida pellucida var. pallida Mich.13.27
Octochaetona thurstoni Mich.10.92
Drawida chlorina (Bourne).10.70

(4)Uncultivated fallow landLampito mauritii (Kinb.).10.30
Drawida chlorina (Bourne).4.73
Drawida pellucida var. pallida Mich.6.46

(5)GardenLampito mauritii (Kinb.).15.50
Megascolex insignis Mich.10.96
Octochaetona thurstoni Mich.13.04
Drawida chlorina (Bourne).17.26
Drawida pellucida var. pallida Mich.11.27

(6)OrchardLampito mauritii (Kinb.).8.92
Drawida chlorina (Bourne).6.32
Drawida pellucida var. pallida Mich.4.75

(7)Foothills ( A l t . < 4 5 0  m.)Lampito mauritii (Kinb.).5.63
Drawida chlorina (Bourne).6.22
Drawida pellucida var. pallida Mich.22.68

(8)Grass land (Alt. 1,000 m.)Lampito kumiliensis (Kinb.).18.21
Dichogaster saliens (Bedd.).5.31
Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller).10.30

(9)Semi-evergreen forest (Alt. 1,100 m.)Lampito kumiliensis (Kinb.).29.52
Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller).10.49
Dichogaster bolaui (Mich.).9.39

(10)Sacred grove land (Alt. 1,300 m.)Lampito kumiliensis (Kinb.).19.42
Dichogaster saliens (Bedd.).9.37
Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller).19.16