taxonID	type	description	language	source
03CACC796D32C036FF43F9E81669F9F0.taxon	type_taxon	Type species. Megascolex caeruleus Templeton, 1844.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	description	(Figure 1)	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype: Clitellate (ZSIK Reg. No. ZSI / WGRC / I. R. INV. 25142), Rani Duduma (18.55091 ° N, 82.75661 ° E), around 25 km away from Semiliguda town, Koraput District, Odisha State, India, 960 m a. s. l., near stream in dry deciduous forest, 24 May 2022, collected by Ayusmita Naik. Paratype: 1 clitellate (ZSIK Reg. No. ZSI / WGRC / I. R. INV. 25143), same collection data as for holotype.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Large sized; length 273 – 308 mm, width 9 – 10 mm at segment 10, 188 – 190 segments. Prostomium proepilobic, with conspicuous canalicula. Clitellum annular, protuberant, on segments ½ 13 – 19 (= 6 ½), setal arc not visible. Quadrithecal, spermathecal pores conspicuous, transversely placed in intersegmental furrows 7 / 8 / 9. Male field light coloured, occupying whole segment 18, male porophore in transverse slits, at the centre of a raised area, setae absent between male pores. Genital markings, two pairs, whitish, transversely elliptical depression, with finite elevated edge, anterior pair, postsetal in segment 17 and protruding into segment 18, posterior pair postsetal occupies whole segment 19 and projecting presetally into segment 20. Penial setae absent. Gizzard, large, muscular, barrel-shaped, in segment 7, septa 7 / 8 / 9 pushed posteriorly in funnel-like manner, thus take the spaces of segments 8 – 9. Oesophagus and gizzard are attached to parietes with several crisscrossed muscular fibres; intestine origin in segment 20. Last pair of hearts in segment 13. Holandric. Prostates large, racemose, erect, incised, lobed, irregularly rectangular mass, flattish, duct rather straight, muscular, moderately stout, hidden in glands, duct shorter than the length of prostate. Spermathecae adiverticulate, close to anterior margins in segments 8 and 9, ampulla large, more or less ovoid, sac-like, somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, striped, posteriorly directed, ampulla and duct well marked off, duct thicker at ental end, duct shorter than the length of ampulla. Genital markings glands absent.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	description	Description. External: Brownish, dark, restricted to dorsum, pale at ventrum; body circular in cross section. Dimensions: Holotype: 308 mm, width 10 mm at segment 10, 190 segments; paratype: 273 mm, width 9 mm at segment 10, 188 segments. Prostomium proepilobic, with conspicuous mid-dorsal groove (canalicula) (Fig. 1 A). Segments 4 – 13, biannulate. First dorsal pore concealed in intersegmental furrow 5 / 6, visible from 6 / 7 onwards. Clitellum, annular, protuberant, dark coffee brown colour, on segments ½ 13 – 19 (= 6 ½), intersegmental furrows distinct, setal arc not visible, dorsal pores occluded, pale whitish at male field and genital markings. Setae perichaetine throughout, fairly large; setal formula aa = 1.09 – 1.67 ab = 0.92 – 1.87 bc = 1 – 1.25 yz = 0.37 – 0. 48 zz on segment 12, aa = 2.67 – 2.75 ab = 2.44 – 3 bc = 1.33 – 1.57 yz = 0.92 – 1.09 zz on segment 24; 58 – 66 on segment 5, 56 – 66 on segment 9, 58 – 66 on segment 12, 65 – 70 on segment 20, 70 – 71 on segment 25; 21 – 22 between spermathecal pores lines on segment 7, setae absent between male pores. Male field light coloured, occupying whole segment 18 (Fig. 1 B), male pores at the centre of minute transverse slits in slightly raised area, confined to segment 18, in line with ij setal lines, 0.25 – 0.27 body circumference apart. Female pores minute, paired, presetal, at a, on segment 14. Spermathecal pores paired, conspicuous, transversely placed in intersegmental furrows 7 / 8 / 9, in line with setae ijk or jk, 0.26 – 0.32 body circumference apart. Nephridiopores inconspicuous. Genital markings present, two pairs, pale whitish, transversely elliptical depression, with finite elevated edge, anterior pair, postsetal in segment 17 and protruding into segment 18, posterior pair occupies whole segment 19 and projecting presetally into segment 20 (Fig. 1 B). Penial setae absent. Internal: Pigmentation brownish. Septum 5 / 6 faintly muscular, septa 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 muscular, 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 strongly muscular. Oesophagus with large, muscular, barrel-shaped gizzard, in front of septum 7 / 8, septa 7 / 8 / 9 pushed posterior in funnel-like manner, thus take the space of segments 8 – 9; oesophagus and gizzard are attached to the parietes with several crisscrossed muscular fibres, calciferous gland like swelling present in oesophagus at segments 16 and 17; intestine origin in segment 20; intestinal caeca absent, typhlosole, simple, low ridge-like, lamelliform. Dorsal blood vessel, single and complete; supra esophageal vessel single. Hearts large, last pair of hearts in segment 13; smaller supra-esophageal hearts present in segments 14, 15. Holandric; testis and funnels, paired, free, in segments 10 and 11; seminal vesicles two pairs, racemose, grape-like bunches, in segments 9 and 12. Prostates paired, confined to segment 18, large, erect, thickly racemose, lobed, incised, irregularly rectangular (Fig. 1 C, D), flattish, adhere to the alimentary canal, nearly touch each other at the dorsal surface, bulging into segments 17 – 19, by pushing the septa 17 / 18 and 18 / 19; prostatic duct, somewhat straight, hidden in glands, muscular, moderately stout, fairly same width throughout, duct shorter than the length of prostate (Fig. 1 D). Spermathecae two pairs, adiverticulate, close to anterior margins in segments 8 and 9; ampulla large, more or less ovoid, sac-like, somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, transversely striped, longitudinally directed to posterior, ampulla and duct well marked off, duct thicker at ental end where it joins ampulla, lightly narrowed at ectal end, duct shorter than the length of ampulla (Fig. 1 E, F). Nephridia exonephric, astomate micromeronephridia, scattered randomly in parietes. Genital marking glands absent.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet ‘ quadripapillatus’ is a morphonym. It is a combination of two Latin words, ‘ quadri ’ and ‘ papilla ’ (four pap i llae). It refers to the presence of four genital markings of this new species. Ingesta. Large quantity of fibrous plant materials, other organic materials like barks, woody parts, pebbles (including red rock pieces) and gravely soil. Habitat. Deciduous forest in hilly terrain. As per Champion & Seth (1968) this region of Eastern Ghats has two major forest types, namely tropical dry deciduous and tropical moist deciduous forests. Rani Duduma has dry deciduous forest and the soil is gravely-loamy with rocks and boulders. Common vegetation of this area is dominated by trees, shrubs and climbers such as Terminalia tomentos a, Shorea robusta, Boswellia serrata, Anogeissus latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Dalbergia latifolia, Emblica officinalis, Cassia fistula, Bridellia retusa, Woodfordia fruticosa, Zizyphus oenopli a, Diospyros tomentosa, Lantana camara, Smilax macrophylla, Bauhinia vahlii, Butea superba etc.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology. Appears to be an anecic species, as indicated by large quantity of plant materials and gravely soil in the intestine.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Endemic to India: Odisha State: Koraput District: Rani Duduma.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D32C034FF43F95817CAFC69.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Megascolex quadripapillatus sp. nov. belongs to ratus species group, with two pairs of spermathecal pores in intersegmental furrows 7 / 8 / 9, penial setae absent, holandric, calciferous glands absent and seminal vesicles in segments 9 and 12. The group consists of four species, including two species described in this communication: M. ratus Cognetti, 1911, M. pumilio Stephenson, 1916, M. quadripapillatus sp. nov. and M. jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. They are compared in Table 1. Among the species of this group, it shows close similarity with M. ratus, in body dimensions, presence of genital markings etc., which is endemic to the Western Ghats (Narayanan et al. 2016, 2023). The differences of these species to M. quadripapillatus sp. nov. are as follows. M. quadripapillatus sp. nov. is distinguished from M. ratus by the type of clitellum and its extent (annular in segments ½ 13 – 19 [= 6 ½] vs saddle-shaped in segments 14 – 18 [= 5]), number of genital markings (2 pairs vs several), intestinal origin (in segment 20 vs in segment 14), testis and funnels free vs testis and funnels are enclosed in testis sacs etc. It differs from M. pumilio by the presence of genital markings. In addition, it can also be distinguished from M. pumilio by the large body size, number of clitellar segments, location of the last pair of heart, segmental origin of intestine and the shape of spermathecae. Differences which separate M. quadripapillatus sp. nov. from M. jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. are the characters of prostate (large, lobed, irregularly rectangular vs fan-like, lightly incised, dorsoventrally flattened), prostatic duct (duct shorter than the length of prostate, unbranched ental portion vs duct equal or lightly longer than the length of prostate, ental portion branched) and condition of spermatheca (adiverticulate vs unidiverticulate) (Table 1).	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	description	(Figure 2)	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype: Clitellate (ZSIK Reg. No. ZSI / WGRC / I. R. INV. 25144), Jeypore Ghati (18.83929 ° N, 82.61730 ° E), around 10 km away from Jeypore town, Koraput District, Odisha State, India, 862 m a. s. l., moist deciduous forest, collected from beneath the leaf litter in a bed of pebbly soil along with roots of Pteridophyte (Athyrium sp.), around 10 m from a non-perennial stream, 5 June 2022, collected by A. Naik. Paratypes: 3 pre-adults (ZSIK Reg. No. ZSI / WGRC / I. R. INV. 25145), Rani Duduma (18.70984 ° N, 82.94966 °), around 25 km away from Semiliguda town, Koraput District, Odisha State, India, 930 m a. s. l., near stream in dry deciduous forest, 20 October 2021, collected by A. Naik. Other material. 1 pre-adult, 6 juveniles (ACESSD / EW / 1637) same collection data as for paratypes.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Large sized; length 221 – 281 mm, width 8 – 10 mm at segment 10, 168 – 189 segments. Prostomium proepilobic or closed epilobic, with conspicuous canalicula. Clitellum, annular, on segments ½ 13, 13, 14 – 18, ½ 19, 19 (= 6 ½ – 7), indicated by dark colouration than rest of the body, otherwise not well-marked in pre-adults, setal arc visible. Quadrithecal, spermathecal pores large, circular, in intersegmental furrows 7 / 8 / 9. Male field pale coloured, male pores paired widely paired, on a raised papilla, porophores minute, at centre in a tubercle, on segment 18, setae absent between male pores. Genital markings present, two pairs, transversely elliptical depression, with elevated edge, each depression is divided by a longitudinal dyke at the mid-ventral line, markings confined to segments 17 and 19. Penial setae absent. Gizzard large, muscular, barrel-shaped, in segment 6, septa 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 pushed posteriorly in funnel-like manner, and occupies segments 6 – 9. Oesophagus and gizzard are attached to parietes with several crisscrossed muscular fibres, which traverse through many septa; intestine origin in segment 16. Last pair of hearts in segment 13. Holandric. Prostates small, thickly racemose, fan-like, somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, incised, confined to segment 18, duct straight, transversely directed, ental portion branched, duct and prostate has fairly equal length. Spermathecae, presetal, sac-ilke, circular on segment 8, and lightly ovoidal on segment 9, ampulla and duct sharply marked off, ampulla lightly longer than duct, duct width about the ½ the size that of ampulla, single ectal diverticulum, diverticulum stalked, like a bulging in duct, placed at lateral face of the duct.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	description	Description. External: Bluish, dorsum dark, pale at ventral side; body circular in cross section. Dimensions: Holotype: 253 mm, width 8 mm at segment 10, 169 segments; paratypes: 221 – 281 mm, width 8.5 – 10 mm at segment 10, 168 – 188 segments; other material: 240 mm, width 8 mm, segments 189. Prostomium proepilobic or closed epilobic, with conspicuous canalicula (mid-dorsal groove). Segments 7, 8, 9, 10 single annulated. First dorsal pore at intersegmental furrow 5 / 6, pores of segments 5 / 6 / 7 concealed in furrow, visible from 7 / 8 onwards. Clitellum annular, faintly demarcated by brownish colour, on segments ½ 13, 13, 14 – 18, ½ 19, 19 (= 6 ½ – 7), intersegmental furrows distinct, setal arc visible, dorsal pores occluded, pale whitish at male field. Setae perichaetine throughout, fairly large; setal formula aa = 2.5 – 3 ab = 2.5 – 4 bc = 1.67 – 3 yz = 0.71 – 1.25 zz on segment 12, aa = 1.75 – 2.25 ab = 2 – 3.6 bc = 1.4 – 2.25 yz = 0.67 – 1.28 zz on segment 24 (n = 2); 58 – 64 on segment 5, 64 – 80 on segment 9, 62 – 82 on segment 12, 64 – 86 on segment 20, 62 – 84 on segment 25 (n = 3); 14 – 16 between spermathecal pores lines on segment 7, setae absent between male pores. Male field pale coloured, male pores widely paired, on a raised papilla with 1 – 2 circular folds at base, porophores minute, at centre in a tubercle, on segment 18 in line with fg or gh setae, setae absent between male pores (Fig. 2 A), 0.3 – 0.33 body circumference apart (n = 2). In pre-adult specimens raised papilla is absent (Fig. 2 B). Female pores paired, minute in small transverse slits, presetal, at a or slightly lateral to a setal lines, on segment 14 (Fig. 2 A). Spermathecal pores paired, large, circular pores, in intersegmental furrows 7 / 8 / 9, in line with setae hi or ij, 0.3 – 0.32 body circumference apart (n = 2). Nephridiopores inconspicuous. Genital markings present, two pairs, transversely elliptical depression, with elevated edge, each depression is divided by a longitudinal dyke at the mid-ventral line, markings confined to segments 17 and 19 (Fig. 2 A). Pre-adult specimens, initiation of genital markings is present on intersegmental furrows 17 / 18 and 18 / 19 (Fig. 2 B). Penial setae absent. Internal: Pigmentation brownish. Septa 4 / 5 strongly muscular, 5 / 6 / 7 aborted or with fine transparent membranous, 7 / 8 / 9 membranous, 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 thickly muscular, 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 slightly muscular. Oesophagus with large, barrel-shaped muscular gizzard, in front of septa 6 / 7, septa 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 pushed posteriorly in funnel-like manner, and occupies segments 6 – 9; oesophagus and gizzard are attached to parietes with several crisscrossed muscular fibres, which traverse through many septa; calciferous gland like swelling present in oesophagus with internal ridges in segments 12, 13, 14; intestine origin in segment 16; intestinal caeca absent, typhlosole present, lamelliform, simple, slightly raised ridge-like. Dorsal blood vessel single, complete, running in front of septa 4 / 5; supra-esophageal vessel present, single. Last pair of hearts in segment 13. Appears to be holandric; testes and funnels not distinguishable; seminal vesicles two pairs, small sac-like, in segments 9 and 12. Prostates paired, small, thickly racemose, fan-like, somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, slightly incised, confined to segment 18, duct thick, straight, transversely directed, ental portion branched, duct and prostate has fairly equal length (Fig. 2 C, D). Whereas in pre-adult specimens, prostates are thin, dorsoventrally flattened, duct with light muscular shimmer, duct equal or slightly longer than the length of prostate (Fig. 2 E). Spermathecae, two pairs, small, presetal, close to anterior margins in segments 8 and 9, ampulla sac-ilke, circular on segment 8, and lightly ovoidal on segment 9, ampulla and duct well marked off, ampulla lightly longer than duct, duct width about the ½ the size that of ampulla, single ectal diverticulum, diverticulum stalked like a bulging in duct, placed at lateral face of the duct (Fig. 2 F, G). In pre-adult specimens spermathecae dorsoventrally flattened, strap-like or tongue-like, pair on segment 8 directed longitudinally to posterior, pair on segment 9 towards posterior but diagonally directed towards lateral side, ampulla and duct not well marked off, ampulla and duct more or less of same length, duct width about same as that of ampulla (Fig. 2 H). Nephridia exonephric, astomate micromeronephridia, scattered randomly on parietes in clitellar segments, behind clitellar segments organized as bands in anterior and posterior regions of each segment near septum.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet ‘ jeyporeghatiensis’ is a toponym, named after the type locality — Jeypore Ghati of Koraput District, Odisha. Ingesta. Large amount of gravely soil, with pebbles, rocks, organic materials like barks, leaf portions etc. Habitat. Deciduous and moist deciduous forests in hilly terrain. As per Champion & Seth (1968) this region has two major forest types, namely tropical dry deciduous and tropical moist deciduous forests. Jeypore Ghati have moist deciduous forest with large rocks, boulders and soil with fine-loamy texture. Type locality has a non-perennial stream and worms were extracted from beneath the leaf litter in a bed of pebbly soil along with roots of Pteridophyte (Athyrium sp.). Almost 90 % of the vegetation of this area is dominated by Shorea robusta trees. Apart from this Terminalia tomentosa, Xylia xylocarpa, Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeissus latifolia, Butea monosperma, Careya arborea, Casaeria tomentosa, Lannea coromandelica, Helicteres isora, Holarrhena pubescens, Curcuma aromatica, Clerodendron infortunatum, Thysanolaena maxima, Cyonodon dactylon, Imperata arundinaceae, Arundinella setosa, Oxytenanthera monostigma etc. were found in the site. Whereas, Rani Duduma has dry deciduous forest and the soil is gravely-loamy with rocks and boulders. Common vegetation of this area is dominated by trees, shrubs and climbers such as Terminalia tomentos a, Shorea robusta, Boswellia serrata, Anogeissus latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Dalbergia latifolia, Emblica officinalis, Cassia fistula, Bridellia retusa, Woodfordia fruticosa, Zizyphus oenopli a, Diospyros tomentosa, Lantana camara, Smilax macrophylla, Bauhinia vahlii, Butea superba etc.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology. Appears to be an anecic species.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Endemic to India: Odisha State: Koraput District: Jeypore Ghati and Rani Duduma (Fig. 3).	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
03CACC796D37C031FF43FF6D11EEF856.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Megascolex jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. also belongs to the ratus group of species as M. quadripapillatus sp. nov. Differences of M. jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. to other species of the group are as follows: M. ratus has several pairs of genital markings, whereas M. jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. has only two pairs of genital markings. In addition, M. jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. can be further differentiated by the type of clitellum (annular vs saddle-shaped), intestinal origin (in segment 16 vs in segment 14), segmental location of prostate (confined to segment 18 vs occupy segments 19 – 22) etc. M. jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. is differentiated from M. pumilio by large size (length 221 – 281 mm; diameter 8 – 10 mm; segments 168 – 189 vs length 54 mm; diameter 1 1 / 3 mm; segments 109), number of clitellar segments (in segments ½ 13, 13, 14 – 18, ½ 19, 19 (= 6 ½ – 7) vs in segments 14 – 16 (= 3 )) etc. For differences from M. quadripapillatus sp. nov., see the remarks section of M. quadripapillatus sp. nov. Detailed comparison of the differences in the characters of these related species is provided in Table 1.	en	Naik, Ayusmita, Narayanan, S. Prasanth, Palita, Sharat Kumar, Thomas, A. P., Paliwal, R. (2024): Two new species of the genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha state, India. Zootaxa 5424 (5): 569-580, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5
