Identifying Epigeic Species Earthworms Diversity in Isfahan Province

Epigeic species of earthworms have high rates of consumption and digestion of organic matter. Short life cycles and high-reproductive rates, show high potential of them for vermicomposting process. In this study, Epigeic species earthworms of Isfahan Province were investigated. Species were collected from 10 locations and 20 habitats. During the study, four epigeic earthworm species based on morphological markers including earthworm length and diameter, number of segments, number of setae in each segment, color and location of clitellum and tubercles were identified, including: Dendrobaena veneta (Rosa, 1886), Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), Dendrodrilus rubidus (Savigny, 1826) and Dendrobaena hortensis (Michaelsen, 1890). Dendrobaena veneta had the highest abundance and Dendrobaena hortensis had the lowest. Greatest number of Margalef richness index (0.910) was measured in Chadegan due to optimum conditions for ecological habitats and the lowest was recorded at a rate of zero in the region of Anarak.