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چکیده
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Earthworms are one of the most important animals in the soil. With their performance, these soil engineers improve soil aeration and water intake and water transmission in the soil. Earthworms also have a great impact on the dynamics of soil nutrients by changing the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. In this study, earthworm fauna was studied in mountainous habitats on the northwestern margin of the Hyrcanian forests. The studied samples were collected by digging the soil and fixed in 96% alcohol. Adult earthworms were examined using a stereomicroscope and identified based on Bouché (1972), Perel (1979), Sims and Gerard (1999), and Csuzdi and Zicsi (2003). In this study, 13 species were identified from family Lumbricidae in grassland, river bank and garden habitats, namely Aporectodea caliginosa, A. jassyensis, A. rosea, A. trapezoides, Bimastos parvus, Dendrobaena byblica, D. hortensis, D. pentheri, Eisenia andrei, Eiseniella tetraedra, Helodrilus patriarchalis, Octolasion lacteum, and Perelia kaznakovi. Compared to Hyrcanian forest habitats (21 species from three families), less species richness was observed in the studied area. The genus Eisenia was found in the region, which has not yet been observed in Hyrcanian forest habitats.
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