Abstract
Earthworms were surveyed in different habitats of Jodhpur District, Rajasthan, India. A total of nine-earthworm species belonging to four different families, viz., Glossoscolecidae, Megascolecidae, Ocnerodrilidae and Octochaetidae were identified, of which six are first records for Jodhpur. The earthworm species differed in their eco-morphological characteristics and in relative abundance in each of the habitats sampled. Metaphire posthuma and Lampito mauritii were present in all the observed pedoecosystems. Ocnerodrilus occidentalis was found in all systems except garden soil whereas Dichogaster bouai inhabited cultivated, non-cultivated and sewage soil. Pontoscolex corethururs, Amynthas morrisi and Ramiella bishambari were recorded from only sewage, garden and cultivated fields, respectively. The occurrence of most of the species in sewage soil as compared to other pedoecosystems may be related to high organic carbon and much higher nitrogen of the sewage system. This showed a remarkable species-habitat relationship. The relative density, frequency and species diversity index of some abundantly found earthworm species inhabiting particular habitat were also calculated. The entire observations clearly indicate the richness of earthworm biodiversity in the arid region of Rajasthan.