Taxonomy of Earthworm Species Collected from East Coast of Guyana

Abstract

Earthworms contribute significantly towards the proper functioning of our ecosystem and are environmentally and economically beneficial to the well-being of other organisms. These soil dwelling organisms serve to enhance vegetation growth in an eco-friendly manner among other benefits such as alternative source of proteins that are vital for the existence of life on earth. Earthworm diversity varies across different parts of the globe and species identification is a key to each of the specific regions such as Guyana. The present study was conducted during the year 2014-15 at University of Guyana, Georgetown during the rainy season period. The primary objective of this investigation was to successfully collect, identify and classify local Earthworm species. Earthworm samples were collected from a local organic kitchen garden in Cane Grove at GPS location 218º SW (6º 37’27” N 57º 55’8” W) by utilizing the hand sorting method. Cane Grove is a rural agricultural area in the Demerara- Mahaica Region of Guyana located on the coastal plain along Mahaica River. The area from which earthworms were collected was generally moist and showed rich organic composition. Hand fork was used for digging the soil and samples of earthworms collected were placed into a vermi-container. The collected specimens were taken to the lab where taxonomic studies were conducted.  The external morphology, internal anatomy and the ecological features were carefully examined. Based on this investigation, the species was grouped into the family Megascolecidae and identified as Perionyx excavates (Perr.). This study has showed that Perionyx excavatus (Perr.) is an important epigeic species in Guyana.