Checklist of earthworm species (Oligochaeta) of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

Checklist of earthworm species (Oligochaeta) of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

The study presents an extensive list of earthworm species that have been documented in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. The text enumerates a total of 28 species and subspecies belonging to 16 genera and seven families. Among the identified species, four have been categorized as native peregrine, six as endemic, three as subendemic and 15 as exotic peregrine. The checklist serves as a point of reference for the primary account from the literature, the type locality, noteworthy synonyms, and data on distribution for every species and subspecies.  

Checklist published through GBIF (DOI: 10.15470/dkefty)

Key words: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Distribution, Earthworms, Exotic species

Resumen

Lista de especies de lombrices de tierra (Oligochaeta) de las islas Andamán y Nicobar, India

El estudio presenta una extensa lista de especies de lombrices de tierra que se han documentado en las islas Andamán y Nicobar de la India. El texto enumera un total de 28 especies y subespecies pertenecientes a 16 géneros y siete familias. Entre las especies identificadas, cuatro han sido descritas como invasoras nativas, seis como endémicas, tres como subendémicas y 15 como invasoras exóticas. La lista sirve como punto de referencia para describir el primer registro de la literatura, el tipo, los sinónimos destacables y los datos sobre la distribución de cada especie y subespecie.

Lista de datos publicada en GBIF (DOI: 10.15470/dkefty)

Palabras clave: Islas Andamán y Nicobar, Distribución, Lombrices de tierra, Especies exóticas

Resum

Llista d'espècies de cucs de terra (Oligochaeta) de les illes Andaman i Nicobar, a l'Índia

L'estudi presenta una llista àmplia d'espècies de cucs de terra que s'han documentat a les illes Andaman i Nicobar de l'Índia. El text enumera un total de 28 espècies i subespècies pertanyents a 16 gèneres i set famílies. Entre les espècies identificades, quatre han estat descrites com a invasores natives, sis com a endèmiques, tres com a subendèmiques i 15 com a invasores exòtiques. La llista serveix com a punt de referència per a descriure el primer registre de la literatura, el tipus, els sinònims destacables i les dades sobre la distribució de cada espècie i subespècie.

Llista de dades publicada a GBIF (DOI: 10.15470/dkefty)

Paraules clau: Illes Andaman i Nicobar, Distribució, Cucs de terra, Espècies exòtiques

Introduction

Island ecosystems have been a subject of fascination for biologists and geologists for a long time. The study of island biodiversity has been a driving force behind the formulation of several prominent biological theories, including evolutionary concepts introduced by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. Due to its status as an epicentre of biological diversity, the Andaman and Nicobar region deserves particular consideration. The Great Nicobar Island is in closer proximity to Myanmar and Sumatra than to the Indian mainland. Over the course of millennia, due to evolutionary processes and geographical isolation, the island has acquired distinctive biological diversity. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an archipelago consisting of 349 islands located in the Bay of Bengal (fig. 1). The Andaman group comprises 325 islands, while the Nicobar group comprises 24 islands. The Andaman Islands exhibit Indo-Malayan biota, while the Nicobar Islands showcase Indonesian biota and are included in the Sundaland mega–biodiversity hotspot (Kulkarni and Karthick, 2018). The complete extent of the diversity and endemism present in these islands remains to be fully elucidated. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are considered a highly valuable reservoir of biodiversity within the regions of South and Southeast Asia. The islands possess a distinctive characteristic of being a virtual bio reserve, exhibiting exceptional levels of biodiversity and abundance. There is a clear need to optimize the advantages derived from the abundant biodiversity present in these islands.

Documentation of earthworms from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was first presented by Rosa (1891), who identified two earthworm species, namely Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister, 1843 and Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) from the Nicobars. Michaelsen (1907) documented Metaphire andamanensis (Michaelsen, 1907), Amynthas osmastoni (Michaelsen, 1907), and Amynthas suctorius (Michaelsen, 1907) were endemic to the Andaman region. Stephenson (1925) and Gates (1932, 1936) reported additional endemic species within the present–day genera Metaphire Sims and Easton, 1972 and Amynthas Kinberg, 1867. The literature available to date on the earthworms inhabiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is restricted to the works of Michaelsen (1909), Stephenson (1916), Gates (1933, 1954, 1958, 1960, 1962), Julka and Halder (1975) and Julka (1982), Manazhy et al. (2011).

Material and methods

The checklist presented here was developed following a comprehensive examination of the relevant literature up to the year 2024 (see also dataset published through GBIF with DOI: 10.15470/dkefty). The compilation of distributional data was sourced from taxonomic literature. The inclusion of ecological literature lacking precise geographic information has been considered for distribution and is denoted as 'unspecified localities' in the corresponding sections on species distribution. The subsequent segments comprise information pertaining to various species, encompassing: (1) the scientific nomenclature; (2) primary and associated literature; (3) alternative designations [primarily derived from initial depictions and publications by Gates (1972), Julka (1988), Csuzdi (2010), Blakemore (2016); (4) the location of the type specimen; and (5) the geographical range.

Furthermore, the study includes samples collected from the protected forests of the Andaman Islands, specifically Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Saddle Peak National Park, and Wandoor. The specimens were preserved in a solution of 5% formalin and absolute alcohol for morphoanatomical and molecular analysis. The specimens were morphologically identified using various taxonomic parameters, including worm size, colour, setal arrangement, dorsal pores, and the presence of male and female gonopores. Each individual specimen was allocated a distinct voucher code for the purpose of identification and submitted to the Earthworm Biology Laboratory at the Department of Zoology, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (a Central University) Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Results

Family Acanthodrilidae

Ramiella bishambari (Stephenson, 1914)
Octochaetus bishambari Stephenson, 1914: 347 (Stephenson, 1914)
Ramiella cultrifera Stephenson, 1931a: 187 (Stephenson, 1931a)
Ramiella bishambari (Stephenson): Gates, 1972: 312 (Gates, 1972)

Type locality: Saharanpur, India
Distribution: Aberdeen (Gates, 1958, 1972; Julka, 1982, 1988), Port Blair (Gates, 1958, 1972; Julka, 1988)
Ecological categories endogeic (Miglani et al., 2022)
Status: native peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Family Benhamiidae

Dichogaster bolaui (Michaelsen, 1891)
Benhamia bolavi (corr. bolaui)Michaelsen, 1891: 9 (Michaelsen, 1891)
Benhamia malayana Horst, 1893: 35 (Horst, 1893)
Benhamia octonephra Rosa, 1895: 2 (Rosa, 1895)
Benhamia palmicola Eisen, 1895: 125 (Eisen, 1895)
Benhamia rugosa Eisen, 1895: 126 (Eisen, 1895)
Benhamia bolavi pacifica Eisen, 1900: 209 (Eisen, 1900)
Dichogaster bolaui decanephra Michaelsen, 1915: 191 (Michaelsen, 1915)
Benhamia lageniformis Friend, 1916: 262 (Friend, 1916)
Dichogaster bolaui malabaricus Stephenson, 1920: 257 (Stephenson, 1920)
Dichogaster hatomaana Ohfuchi, 1957: 259 (Ohfuchi, 1957)
Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) bolaui (Michaelsen): Csuzdi, 1995: 102(Csuzdi, 1995)
Dichogaster bolaui (Michaelsen): Blakemore, 2016: 257 (Blakemore, 2016)

Type locality: Bergedorf, Hamburg
Distribution: Car Nicobar (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982, 1988; Manazhy et al., 2011), Nancowry village (Julka, 1988)
Ecological categories: epigeic (Miglani et al., 2022)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Dichogaster modiglianii (Rosa, 1896)
Benhamia modiglianii Rosa, 1896: 510
Benhamia papillata Eisen, 1895: 126
Benhamia kafuruensis Michaelsen, 1896: 34
Benhamia nana Eisen, 1895: 125
Benhamia papillata var. hawaiiensis Eisen, 1900: 212
Dichogaster doveri Stephenson, 1931a: 276
Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) modiglianii (Rosa): Csuzdi, 1995: 114
Dichogaster modiglianii (Rosa): Blakemore, 2016: 261

Type locality: Padang, Sumatra
Distribution: Port Blair (Gates, 1958, 1972; Julka, 1988), Haddo (Gates, 1958, 1972; Julka, 1988), Pahargaon (Gates, 1958, 1972; Julka, 1988)
Ecological categories: epigeic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Family Lumbricidae

Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826)
Enterion fetidum Savigny, 1826: 182
Allolobophora (Eisenia) foetida (Savigny): Stephenson, 1923: 499
Eisenia fetida (Savigny): Tiwari et al. 2024a: 264 (for full synonymy)

Type locality: Paris, France
Distribution: Nicobar Island (Rosa, 1891; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: epigeic (Miglani et al., 2022)
Status: exotic preregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister, 1843
Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister, 1843: 187
Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister): Blakemore, 2016: 808 (for full synonymy)

Type locality: unknown
Distribution: Nicobar Island (Rosa, 1891; Gates, 1927)
Ecological categories: epigeic (epi–endogeic) (Kutuzovic and Kutuzovic, 2013)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Family Megascolecidae

Amynthas aculeatus (Gates, 1936)
Pheretima aculeata Gates, 1936: 390
Amynthas aculeatus (Gates): Sims and Easton 1972: 234
Amynthas aculeatus (Gates): Julka 1982: 134

Type locality: Port Blair
Distribution: Port Blair (Gates, 1936; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: endemic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

 Amynthas alexandri alexandri Beddard, 1901
Amyntas alexandri Beddard, 1901: 999
Pheretima lignicola Stephenson, 1914: 399
Pheretima alexandri Stephenson, 1923: 291
?Pheretima suctoria mullani Stephenson, 1924: 340
Amynthas alexandri alexandri Beddard, Sims and Easton 1972: 234 (diffringens group)
Amynthas alexandri alexandri Beddard, Blakemore, 2016: 347

Material examined: AN–2N2–1353, Mahtama Gandhi Marine National Park, lat./long. 11.53/92.6, collector: Shweta Yadav, date collected: 29/09/2018
Type locality: Calcutta, India
Distribution: Wimberleygunj (Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Minnie Bay (Gates, 1932, 1972; Julka, 1982), Mount Harriet (Gates, 1932, 1972; Julka, 1982), Andamans, Thobang village, Nancowry Island (Gates, 1932, 1927, 1972; Soota and Halder, 1980) Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (present study)
Ecological categories: epi–anecic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Amynthas facetus (Gates, 1932)
Pheretima faceta Gates, 1932: 422
Amynthas facetus (Gates): Sims and Easton 1972: 235
Amynthas facetus (Gates): Julka 1982: 135

Type locality: John Lawrence Island
Distribution: John Lawrence Island (Gates, 1932; Julka, 1982), vicinity of Port Bonington (Gates, 1960; Julka, 1982), North Andaman Island (Gates, 1960; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: endemic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Amynthas malacus (Gates, 1933)
Pheretima maculosa Gates, 1933: 534
Pheretima malaca Gates, 1936: 429
Amynthas malacus Sims and Easton, 1972: 237
Pheretima malaca Julka and Halder, 1975: 65
Amynthas malacus Julka, 1982: 136

Type locality: between Kyaukmedaung and Kameik
Distribution: Bara Balu village (Julka and Halder, 1975; Julka, 1982), Chidiya Tapu, South Andaman (Julka and Halder, 1975; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: subendemic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Amynthas osmastoni (Michaelsen, 1907)
Pheretima osmastoni Michaelsen, 1907: 163
Pheretima osmastoni Gates, 1972: 204
Amynthas osmastoni Sims and Easton, 1972: 237

Type locality: Port Blair
Distribution: Wimberleyganj (Michaelsen, 1907, 1909; Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Michaelsen, 1907, 1909; Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982; Ahmed et al., 2020), Mount Harriet (Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1932; Julka, 1982), Minnie Bay (Gates, 1932, 1972; Julka, 1982), Port Bonington (Gates, 1960, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: endemic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Amynthas suctorius (Michaelsen, 1907)
Pheretima suctoria Michaelsen, 1907: 165
Pheretima suctoria Michaelsen. Gates, 1972: 220
Amynthas suctorius Michaelsen. Sims and Easton, 1972: 235

Type locality: Andaman Islands
Distribution: Andaman Islands (Michaelsen, 1907, 1909; Julka, 1982), Camorta (Michaelsen, 1907, 1909; Gates, 1927, 1931, 1936, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: endemic to Andaman Islands (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Lampito mauritii Kinberg, 1867
Lampito mauritii Kinberg, 1867: 103
Megascolex armatus Rosa, 1888: 2
Perichaeta madagascariensis Michaelsen, 1891: 227
Megascolex mauritii Michaelsen, 1899: 441
Megascolex trilobatus Stephenson, 1923: 279
Lampito mauritii (Kinberg): Gates, 1972: 133

Type locality: Mauritius
Distribution: Ross Island (Stephenson, 1916; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Middle Point (Narayanan et al., 2023; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Mount Harriet (Gates, 1932, 1972; Julka, 1982), Jinglighat (Gates, 1932, 1972; Julka, 1982), Haddo (Gates, 1960, 1972; Julka, 1982), Pahargaon (Gates, 1960, 1972; Julka, 1982), Aberdeen (Gates, 1960, 1972; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Gates, 1960; Soota and Julka, 1970; Julka, 1982), Rajatgarh (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Maya Bundar (Ohfuchi, 1957; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Minnie Bay (Gates, 1927, 1972; Soota and Halder, 1980). Andaman Islands, Bara Balu village near Chiria Tapu, Camorta Jetty, Camorta Island, Chiria Tapu, Delanipur, Port Blair, Nancowry village, Nancowry Island (Gates, 1927, 1932, 1960, 1972; Soota and Julka, 1970; Soota and Halder, 1980)
Ecological categories: anecic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: native peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Metaphire andamanensis (Michaelsen, 1907)
Pheretima andamanensis Michaelsen, 1907: 164
Pheretima andamanensis Gates, 1972: 157
Metaphire andamanensis Sims and Easton, 1972: 237

Type locality: North Cinque Island
Distribution: North Cinque Island (Michaelsen, 1907, 1909; Gates, 1932, 1936, 1972; Julka, 1982), South Andaman Island (Stephenson, 1923)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: endemic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Metaphire harrietensis (Stephenson, 1925)
Pheretima harrietensis Stephenson, 1925: 59
Pheretima harrietensis Gates, 1972: 188
Metaphire harrietensis Sims and Easton, 1972: 238 (houlleti group)

Type locality: Mount Harriet
Distribution: Mount Harriet (Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1932, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: endemic to Andaman Islands (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Metaphire houlleti (Perrier, 1872)
Perichaeta houlleti Perrier, 1872: 99
Megascolex houlletii Vaillant, 1889: 75
Perichaeta campanulata Rosa, 1890: 115
Perichaeta udekemi Michaelsen, 1892: 240
Perichaeta crescentica Fedarb, 1898: 447
Amyntas houlleti Michaelsen, 1899: 12
Pheretima houlleti Michaelsen, 1900: 273
Amyntas kelantanensis Beddard, 1900a: 902
Pheretima wimberleyana Stephenson, 1925: 62
Pheretima houlleti var. tortuosa Gates, 1926: 157
Pheretima houlleti var. rugosa Gates, 1926: 157
Pheretima campanulata var. penetralis Gates, 1931: 435
Pheretima campanulata var. meridiana Gates, 1932: 457
Metaphire houlleti houlleti Sims and Easton, 1972: 238 (houlleti–group)
Metaphire houletti (lapsus pro houlleti) Easton, 1982: 731
Amynthas huangi James et al., 2005: 1014
Metaphire houlleti (Perrier): Blakemore, 2016: 513

Material examined: sample ID: AN–2N9–1360, AN–2N11–1362, Mahtama Gandhi Marine National Park, lat./long. 11.53/92.6, collector: Shweta Yadav, date collected: 29/09/2018
Type locality: Calcutta
Distribution: Wimberleyganj (Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1960, 1972; Julka, 1982); Minnie Bay (Gates, 1932, 1933, 1972; Julka, 1982), Viper Island (Gates 1936, 1972; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Gates, 1936, 1972; Soota and Julka, 1970; Julka, 1982), Mount Harriet (Gates, 1932, 1933, 1972; Julka, 1982), Andaman Islands (Gates, 1960; Julka, 1982), Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (present study)
Ecological categories: epi–anecic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Metaphire peguana (Rosa, 1890)
Perichaeta peguana Rosa, 1890: 113
Amyntas peguanus Michaelsen, 1899: 7
Pheretima peguana Michaelsen, 1900: 292
Pheretima (Pheretima) peguana Omodeo, 1956: 325
Metaphire peguana Sims and Easton, 1972: 239 (peguana–group)
Metaphire peguana (Rosa): Blakemore, 2016: 533

Type locality: Rangoon, Myanmar
Distribution: horticulture and zoologicalgarden, Port Blair (Soota and Halder, 1980)
Ecological categories: endogeic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Metaphire planata (Gates, 1926)
Pheretima planata Gates, 1926: 411
Metaphire planata Sims and Easton, 1972: 217, 239

Type locality: Rangoon, Myanmar
Distribution: Andaman Islands (Gates, 1937, 1962), Garai–Berana (Gates, 1933, 1972; Julka, 1982), Corbyn's Cove (Gates, 1933, 1972; Julka, 1982), Navy Bay (Gates, 1933, 1972; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka,
1982 )
Ecological categories: endogeic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023) 

Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant, 1868)
Perichaeta posthuma Vaillant, 1868: 228
Perichaeta affinis Perrier, 1872: 106
Amyntas posthumus Michaelsen, 1899: 74
Pheretima posthuma Michaelsen, 1900: 295
Pheretima incerta Beddard, 1912: 197
Metaphire posthuma Sims and Easton, 1972: 239 (posthuma–group)
Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant): Blakemore, 2016: 537

Type locality: Java
Distribution: Andaman Islands (Gates, 1932, 1933, 1972; Soota and Julka, 1970; Soota and Halder, 1980), Jinglighat (Gates, 1932, 1972; Julka, 1982), Minnie Bay (Gates, 1933, 1972; Julka, 1982), Ross Island (Soota and Julka, 1970; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Gates, 1972)
Ecological categories: endogeic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Metaphire scitula (Gates, 1936)
Pheretima scitula Gates, 1936: 457
Pheretima scitula Gates, 1972: 219
Metaphire scitula Sims and Easton, 1972: 238 (houlleti group)

Type locality: Port Blair, India
Distribution: Port Blair (Gates, 1936, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: subendemic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Perionyx excavatus Perrier, 1872
Perionyx excavatus Perrier, 1872: 126
Perionyx gruenewaldi Michaelsen, 1891: 33
Perionyx intermedius Beddard, 1892a: 689
Perionyx parvulus Stephenson, 1916: 321
Perionyx fulvus Stephenson, 1916: 322
Perionyx excavatus (Perrier): Blakemore, 2016: 295

Type locality: Saigon, Vietnam
Distribution: Cowriaghat–South Andamans (Gates, 1933; Soota and Julka, 1970; Stephenson, 1923; Soota and Halder, 1980) Little Andaman Island (Michaelsen, 1909; Gates, 1933; Julka, 1982), John Lawrence Island? (Julka, 1982), Parnashala (Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: epi–endogeic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: native peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Polypheretima elongata (Perrier, 1872)
Perichaeta elongata Perrier, 1872: 124
Perichaeta biserialis Perrier, 1875: 1044
Amyntas biserialis Beddard, 1900b: 638
Amyntas acystis Beddard, 1900b: 638
Megascolex elongata Vaillant, 1889: 81
Perichaeta acystis Beddard, 1895: 423
Perichaeta monocystis Horst, 1899: 202 lapsus pro acystis Beddard, 1895
Amynthas elongata Beddard, 1900b: 650
Pheretima elongata Michaelsen, 1900: 265
Metapheretima elongata Sims and Easton, 1972: 205
Polypheretima elongata Easton, 1979: 53
Polypheretima elongata (Perrier): Blakemore 2016: 578

Material examined: AN–2N4–1355, AN–2N1–1352, Mahtama Gandhi Marine National Park, lat./long. 11.53/92.6, collector: Shweta Yadav, date collected: 29/09/2018
Type locality: Peru
Distribution: Govt. Rest House compound, Camorta Island, Camorta, Chiria Tapu village, Minnie Bay (Soota and Halder, 1980), Mount Harriet (Gates, 1936, 1972; Julka, 1982), Minnie Bay (Gates, 1932, 1933, 1972; Julka, 1982), Wrightmyo (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Rajatgarh (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (present study)
Ecological categories: endogeic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Pontodrilus litoralis (Grube, 1855)
Lumbricus litoralis Grube, 1855: 127
Pontoscolex arenicola Schmarda, 1861: 11 (part)
Pontodrilus marionis Perrier, 1875: 1582
Pontodrilus bermudensis Beddard, 1891: 96
Cryptodrilus insularis Rosa, 1891: 387
Pontodrilus arenae Michaelsen, 1892: 222
Pontodrilussp. Michaelsen, 1894: 184
Pontodrilus hesperidum Beddard, 1894: 37
Pontodrilus insularis Beddard, 1895: 471
Pontodrilus michaelseni Eisen, 1895: 73
Pontodrilus ephippiger Rosa, 1898: 277, 281
Pontodrilus matsushimensis Iizuka, 1898: 21
Pontodrilus ephippiger laysanianus Michaelsen, 1899: 217
Pontodrilus matsushimensis chathamianus Michaelsen, 1899: 220
Pontodrilus michaelseni hortensis Eisen, 1900: 129, 241
Pontodrilus laccadivensis Beddard, 1903: 374
Pontodrilus crosslandi Beddard, 1906: 561
Pontodrilus albanyensis Michaelsen, 1907: 185
Pontodrilus bermudensis ephippiger Stephenson, 1915: 145
Plutellus (Pontodrilus) bermudensis Michaelsen, 1922: 22
Pontodrilus albanyensis var. cygni Jackson, 1931: 94
Plutellus (Pontodrilus) matsushimensis indica Michaelsen, 1935: 106
Pontodrilus gracilis Gates, 1943: 100
Pontodrilus litoralis (Grube): Blakemore, 2016: 285

Type locality: Bermuda
Distribution: Port Blair? (Gates, 1936; Julka, 1982), Car Nicobar (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: NA
Status: exotic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Family Moniligastridae

Drawida nepalensis nepalensis Michaelsen, 1907
Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen, 1907: 146
Drawida burchardi Michaelsen, 1903: 7
Drawida troglodytes Stephenson, 1924: 129
Drawida cacharensis Stephenson, 1926: 251
Drawida abscisa Gates, 1931: 336
Moniligaster ivaniosi Manazhy et al., 2011: 11
Drawida nepalensis nepalensis (Michaelsen): Blakemore, 2016: 182
Moniligaster ivaniosi Manazhy: Narayanan et al., 2021: 392

Material examined: AN–6N3–1408, AN–4N2–1398, AN–4N3–1399, AN–8N2–1416, AN–6N2–1407, AN–7N4–1414, AN–8N3–1417, Exact Site: Saddle Peak National Park, lat./long. 13.168/93.011, collector: Shweta Yadav, date collected: 01-02/10/2018; sample ID: AN–9N7–1424, AN–9N8–1425, Diglipur Forest Division, Mudvolanao, lat./long. 12.146/92.793, collector: Shweta Yadav, date collected: 03/10/2018
Type locality: Gowchar, Nepal
Distribution: Andaman islands, Bara Balu village near Chiria Tapu–South Andamans, Delanipur–Port Blair, garden near civil hospital–Comorta Island, Govt. Agriculture farm–comorta Island, Resthouse compound–Comorta Island, Mathura–South Andmans (Michaelsen, 1909; Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1933, 1927, 1962; Soota and Julka, 1970; Soota and Halder, 1980), Mount Harriet (Michaelsen, 1909; Stephenson, 1925; Gates, 1933; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Gates, 1962, 1972; Soota and Julka, 1970; Julka, 1982), Saddle Peak National Park (present study), Diglipur forest division, Mudvolanao (present study)
Ecological categories: endogeic (Ahmed et al., 2024)
Status: native peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Family Ocnerodrilidae

Eukerria kukenthali (Michaelsen, 1908)
Kerria kukenthali Michaelsen, 1908: 24
Eukerria peguana Soota and Julka, 1970: 204
Eukerria kukenthali Jamieson, 1970: 144
Eukerria kukenthali Gates, 1972: 269

Type locality: St. Thomas Island, West Indies
Distribution: Maya Bundar (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Car Nicobar (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: unknown
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Gordiodrilus elegans Stephenson, 1928
Gordiodrilus elegans Beddard, 1892b: 84
Gordiodrilus travancorensis Michaelsen, 1910: 98
Gordiodrilus paski Stephenson, 1928: 1
Gordiodrilus unicus Stephenson, 1931b: 79
Gordiodrilus peguanus Gates, 1942: 85
Gordiodrilus elegans morph paski (Stephenson): Julka 1982: 149
Gordiodrilus bonacanus Černosvitov, 1942: 215

Type locality: Kigoma Harbour, Lake Tanganyika
Distribution: Maya Bundar (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: endogeic (Tiwari et al., 2024a)
Status: exotic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Ocnerodrilus occidentalis Eisen, 1878
Ocnerodrilus occidentalis Eisen, 1878: 10
Ocnerodrilus tenellulus Gates, 1945: 223
Ocnerodrilus occidentalis (Eisen): Ahmed et al., 2020: 27

Type locality: Fresno, California
Distribution: Ross Island (Stephenson, 1916; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Car Nicobar (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Maya Bundar (Soota and Julka, 1970; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Soota and Julka, 1970; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: anecic (Miglani et al., 2022)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Thatonia gracilis Gates, 1942
Thatonia gracilis Gates, 1942: 101

Type locality: Thongwa, Burma
Distribution: Port Blair (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982)
Ecological categories: endogeic (Miglani et al., 2022)
Status: subendemic (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Family Rhinodrilidae

Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller, 1857)
Lumbricus corethrurus Müller, 1857: 113
Urochaeta hystrix Perrier, 1872: 142
Urochaeta corethrura Perrier, 1874: 379
Pontoscolex arenicola Schmarda, 1861: 11
Urochaeta dubia Horst, 1885: 7
Pontoscolex hawaiensis Beddard, 1895: 660
Pontoscolex corethrurus mexicanus Eisen, 1896: 8
Pontoscolex corethrurus Beddard, 1892c: 127
Pontoscolex (Pontoscolex) corethrurus Righi, 1984: 163
Pontoscolex guangdongensis Zhang et al., 1998: 5
Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller): Blakemore, 2016: 594

Material examined: AN–4N4–1400, AN–5N1–1401, AN–7N3–1413, exact site: Saddle Peak National Park, lat./long. 13.168/93.011, collector: Shweta Yadav, date collected: 01-02/10/2018; sample ID: AN–9N6–1423, Diglipur Forest Division,
Mudvolanao, lat./long. 12.146/92.793, collector: Shweta Yadav, date collected: 03/10/2018
Type locality: Itajahy, Brazil
Distribution: Amberdeen, Andaman Island, Malacca village, Car Nicobar near civil station, Camorta Island (Soota and Halder, 1980) Ross Island (Stephenson, 1916; Julka, 1982), Aberdeen (Stephenson, 1925; Julka, 1982), Port Blair (Gates, 1933, 1954; Julka, 1982), Mount Harriet (Gates, 1933, 1954, 1972; Julka, 1982), Minnie Bay (Gates, 1933, 1972, 1932), Wrightmyo (Soota and Julka, 1970; Gates, 1972; Julka, 1982), Saddle Peak National Park (present study), Diglipur forest division, Mudvolanao (present study)
Ecological categories: endogeic (Ahmad et al., 2024)
Status: exotic peregrine (Narayanan et al., 2023)

Conclusion

Currently, India is home to 458 valid species of earthworm, excluding, seven species that are categorised as incertae sedis (Ahmed et al., 2022, 2023; Hasan et al., 2023a, 2023b; Narayanan et al., 2021; Tiwari et al., 2021, 2022, 2024b; Lone et al., 2022). The study provides a comprehensive list of 28 earthworm species reported in the Andaman and Nicobar region. They belong to seven families and sixteen taxa. The island is primarily populated by exotic species, which constitute 20 out of the total 28 species present. In regards to familial metrics, Megascolecidae display a dominant presence of 56 %, while Moniligastridae, Acanthodrilidae and Rhinodrilidae are each represented by just one species. The family Benhamiidae comprises three distinct species that are affiliated with the singular genus Dichogaster sp. Beddard, 1889. In contrast, Lumbricidae encompasses two genera, namely Eisenia Malm, 1877 and Lumbricus Linnaeus, 1758. The family Megascolecidae encompasses six distinct genera, viz., Amynthas Kinberg, 1867, Lampito Kinberg, 1867, Metaphire Sims and Easton, 1972, Perionyx Perrier, 1872, Polypheretima Michaelsen, 1934 and Pontodrilus Perrier, 1874. The family Ocnerodrilidae, on the other hand, consists of four species, each belonging to a distinct genus. The pheretimoid is the dominant group among the non–native earthworm species that constitute the earthworm biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The distribution of exotic worms could potentially be attributed to anthropogenic activities.

Ghosh et al. (2022) recently published an annotated checklist of earthworms from India. However, it is challenging to consider this document as credible and conclusive. A misleading list of 34 species, with a focus on Andaman Island, has been provided by them. The species Moniligaster sapphirinaoides Bourne, 1886, Moniligaster ophidioides Bourne, 1891, and Moniligaster grandis Bourne, 1894 are mentioned. These species have been reclassified and assigned to the genus Drawida. Nevertheless, Stephenson (1923) never collected from the Andaman Islands. Instead, they are exclusively found in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats. Consequently, their existence is questioned and necessitates additional scrutiny. Additionally, Moniligaster invaniosi is a synonym of Drawida nepalensis, and the valid authority is Manazhy et al. (2011), instead of Reynolds. Similarly, Pontodrilus bermudensis Beddard, 1891 is a synonym of Pontodrilus litoralis. At the same time, Pontoscolex corethrurus has been mentioned under family of Glossoscolecidae in place of Rhinodrilidae. The authorities listed for many species are also inaccurate, including Malabaria sulcata Gates, 1945, Amynthas malacus Gates, 1936, Metaphire houlleti (Perrier, 1872), Perionyx excavatus Perrier, 1872, and Lampito mauritii Kinberg, 1867. Furthermore, Metapheretima elongata Easton, 1976 is a synonym of Polypheretima elongata (Perrier, 1872). Lastly, there is no reference supporting the presence of Malabaria sulcata in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) was misspelled. As a result, the current checklist is an updated and modified version of the Ghosh et al. (2022) catalogue in particular reference to an Andaman Islands.

Moreover, Julka (1982) concluded the presence of various earthworms of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an incidental record from the literature (Michaelsen, 1900; Stephenson, 1916; Gates, 1933, 1954, 1958, 1960, 1962; Julka and Halder, 1975). Nevertheless, the presence of several species in the present study invalidates their inclusion as accidental records. viz., Polypheretima elongata (Perrier, 1872), Amynthas alexandri alexandri Beddard, 1901, Amynthas osmastoni (Michaelsen, 1907), Metaphire houlleti (Perrier, 1872), Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen, 1907and Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller, 1857).

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to Dr. Csaba Csuzdi, Department of Zoology, Eszterhazy Károly Catholic University, Eger, Hungary, for providing helpful suggestions during the preparation of the manuscript and DST–SERB for financial assistance.

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