A comprehensive checklist of the earthworms (Annelida: Clitellata: Megadrili) of Sri Lanka, a component of the Western Ghats – Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

A comprehensive checklist of the earthworm species known from Sri Lanka, an island country in the Indian subcontinent, is presented. In total, 81 species and subspecies belonging to 20 genera and 8 families are recorded. Of these, 58 are Sri Lanka endemics, 2 near endemics and 21 exotics. The checklist includes the type locality, any significant subsequent generic placements, and the distributional pattern with province and districts for each species/subspecies within Sri Lanka.

Keywords

• endemic
• Horton plains
• Indian subcontinent
• Megas