New earthworms from Madagascar with key to the Kynotus species (Oligochaeta: Kynotidae)

Razafindrakoto, Malalatiana; Csuzdi, Csaba; James, Samuel W.; Blanchart, Éric

doi:10.1016/j.jcz.2016.08.001

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Its origin is dated as ~5–10 Ma (P. Eggleton, personal communication, 2021) consistent with a late Miocene appearance of its grassy habitat. Madagascar also has an endemic family of giant earthworms (up to 1.8 m), the Kynotidae, of which some species have been collected only in grassy habitats of the central highlands (Razafindrakoto et al, 2017). Further examples of fauna using grassy ecosystems and citations are detailed in the Supporting Information.…”

Section: The Joseph and Seymour Critiquementioning

confidence: 99%

Madagascar's grassy biomes are ancient and there is much to learn about their ecology and evolution

Bond

Silander

Ratsirarson

2022

Journal of Biogeography

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For most of the 20th century, the hypothesis was accepted that Madagascar's extensive grass-dominated ecosystems were of anthropogenic origin, carved out of pristine forests after a mere two millennia of human settlement. We tested an alternative hypothesis that these C 4 grassy ecosystems were part of the general Late Miocene expansion of tropical grassy biomes, using diverse data from published sources (Bond et al. 2008). Joseph and Seymour (2021) criticised this paper, which they see as seminal to subsequent studies on the grasslands. Here we respond to their critique of our study. We also briefly note diverse studies since 2008 pointing to the ancient origin of Madagascar's C 4 grasses and the ecosystems they dominate. We conclude with key research needs that will help promote open-minded research on these long neglected grassy biomes. The answers would be of considerable scientific and public interest but may also contribute to enlightened management of forest/grassland mosaics.

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Section: The Joseph and Seymour Critiquementioning

confidence: 99%

Madagascar's grassy biomes are ancient and there is much to learn about their ecology and evolution

Bond

Silander

Ratsirarson

2022

Journal of Biogeography

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“…Before launching the project "Changement global et diversité de la macrofaune du sol à Madagascar" (Global Change and Soil Macrofauna Diversity in Madagascar) in 2008, only 13 species were known from the Malagasy endemic earthworm family Kynotidae. Our activity in the recent years has resulted in the description of a further 9 Kynotus species new to science (Razafindrakito et al 2011;Csuzdi et al 2012;Razafindrakoto et al 2017), increasing the number of valid species in the family to 22. It is worth noting that, due to difficulties accessing the rural sites in the rainy season (which is the most suitable for earthworm collections), larger regions of the country, especially in the western and southern part of the island, still remain unexplored.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three new species of Kynotus from the Central Highlands of Madagascar (Clitellata, Megadrili)

Csuzdi

Razafindrakoto

Hong

2017

EJT

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The earthworm fauna of Madagascar is scarcely known. A recently launched exploration of the soil fauna (“Global Change and Soil Macrofauna Diversity in Madagascar”) resulted in the discovery of six new earthworm species belonging to the Malagasy endemic family Kynotidae. The success of the collecting campaign carried out between 2008 and 2011 inspired a new exploration of the earthworm fauna across the Central Highland Region of the island in the spring of 2015. During this expedition, two new species of Kynotus, K. ankisiranus sp. nov. and K. voimmanus sp. nov., were discovered. Barcoding of the recently collected species of Kynotus revealed that the unpigmented worms referred previously to K. alaotranus Michaelsen, 1897 also represented a new, still undescribed species, K. blancharti sp. nov.

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“…Earthworms from Madagascar are relatively well known, with intense surveys being carried out in recent years [27][28][29][30]. In the Highlands, the main species occurring in anthropized environments are exotic species such as P. corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae), Dichogaster bolaui, Dichogaster saliens (Acanthodrilidae), and Amynthas corticis (Megascolecidae).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar

et al. 2021

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The effects of earthworm inoculation and cropping systems on upland rice systems were examined over a four-year period in the Highlands of Madagascar. Each year, endogeic earthworms Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae) were inoculated (EW+) at a density of 75 ind m−2 or were not inoculated (EW0). Inoculation was tested in three cropping systems: conservation agriculture (CA) and traditional tillage with or without residues restitution. Soil and plant properties were measured during the first three years while soil biological properties were assessed at the fourth year. At the end of the experiment, earthworm density was three-fold higher in EW+ than in EW0, demonstrating the success of the inoculation. Earthworm density was more important in CA than in tillage systems. Earthworm inoculation had higher significant effects on soil and plant properties than cropping systems. Earthworm inoculation had positive effects on soil macroaggregation (+43%), aboveground biomass (+27%), rice grain yield (+45%), and N grain amount (+43%). Intensifying earthworm activity in field conditions to meet the challenge of ecological transition is supported by our study.

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New earthworms from Madagascar with key to the Kynotus species (Oligochaeta: Kynotidae)

Cited by 7 publications

References 13 publications

Madagascar's grassy biomes are ancient and there is much to learn about their ecology and evolution

Madagascar's grassy biomes are ancient and there is much to learn about their ecology and evolution

Three new species of Kynotus from the Central Highlands of Madagascar (Clitellata, Megadrili)

Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar

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