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Zoogeography Ecology Environment

Earthworm fauna of Indian Thar Desert

(Oligochaeta)

&
Pages 133-140 | Published online: 28 Feb 2013
 

Abstract

Studies were carried out to explore earthworm fauna in a part of Indian Thar Desert. In addition to species diversity, the qualitative composition, density, biomass, biodiversity indices and habitat relationship of earthworms were studied. There were apparently abundant, moderate and low distribution of earthworm in different pedoecosystems. Maximum density of total earthworm species was in grassland, while it was minimum in cultivated field. Biomass was also maximum in grassland but it was minimum in bare land. Species richness varied from 4–6 in arid environment. Evenness and species diversity indices were highest under natural plantation and lowest in bare land. Some kind of species-habitat relationship appeared in relation to physicochemical characteristics of soil system. In spite of a low population density of earthworm in desertic soil system, species diversity was appreciable in desert region.

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