Geographic variations in the size and behavior of common earthworms Metaphire peguana (Rosa, 1890) in Penang and neighboring states, Malaysia

Size variation and geographical distribution of the luminous earthworm Pontodrilus litoralis (Grube, 1855) (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) in Southeast Asia and Japan

“…Differences in the body length, diameter, and number of segments have also reported in other earthworms. The terrestrial earthworm Metaphirepeguana (Rosa, 1890) from Penang and neighboring states of Malaysia revealed significant differences in their morphometric variations that were not matched by their genetic difference but rather were affected by the type of habitat (Ng et al 2017). However, Heethoff et al (2004) reported a strong correlation between the size of Octolasiontyrtaeum (Savigny, 1826) earthworms from Germany and Canada and their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase II (COII) sequences, showing that small and large individuals were genetically distinct.…”

“…Only sexually mature earthworms, as determined by the presence of the clitellum, were measured and used to plot the frequency of the length distribution. Total body length, body size diameter, and total number of segments were measured and counted following Ng et al (2017). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to assess the significant variation among the three morphometric characters.…”