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Abstract
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Earthworms contribute significantly towards the proper functioning of ecosystems 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 organisms. Earthworm diversity varies across different parts of the globe, and it seems necessary to identify these key species that are specific to each region. The present study was conducted during 2022 in the central Zagros region. The primary aim of this investigation was to collect, identify and classify of different earthworm species. Manual collection method was used for soil digging and sampling. The area from which earthworms were collected was generally moist and showed rich organic composition. Morphological and anatomical traits and ecological characteristics were carefully examined. Overall, 18 species: Aporrectodea caliginosa Savigny, A. trapezoides (Dugès), A. rosea (Savigny), A. jassyensis (Michaelsen), A. longa (Ude), Allolobophora chlorotica (Savigny), Bimastos rubidus (Savigny), Dendrobaena byblica (Rosa) D. hortensis (Michaelsen), D. pentheri Rosa, D. veneta (Rosa), Eiseniella tetraedra, Eisenia fetida (Savigny) Helodrilus patriarchalis (Rosa), Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister, Octolasion lacteum (Örley), Perelia kaznakovi (Michaelsen), Amynthas corticis (Kinberg). belonging to 11 genera and two families (Lumbricidae, Megascolocidae) were found. This study has showed that Aporrectodea rosea is an abundant endogeic species in most of the stations.
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