"Completely New To Science": 2 New Earthworm Species Discovered In Odisha

"The earthworm varieties were subsequently identified as two new species - Megascolexjeyporeghatiensis and Megascolexquadripappilatus - which are completely new to science," Mr Palita said.

Researchers at the Central University of Odisha (CUO) in collaboration with scientists from Kerala's Mahatma Gandhi University have unearthed two new earthworm species in the eastern state, officials said.

During an earthworm diversity study conducted in different parts of Koraput district, CUO student Ayusmita Naik collected a few large earthworm specimens from the Rani Duduma and the Jeypore ghat areas, said Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean of the School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources.

The specimens were carefully examined in the laboratory by the researchers with support from retired scientist of the Zoological Survey of India R Paliwal and earthworm specialists Prasantha Narayanan and AP Thomas of the Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, Mahatma Gandhi University, he said.