THE COMPONENTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF EARTH-WORMS IN THE SOUTH WEST AREA OF THE KON KA KINH NATIONAL PARK, GIA LAI PROVINCE

Abstract

Twenty-four species and sub-species of earth-worms belonging to 5 varieties, 3  families have been found in the south-west of the Kon Ka King National Park, Gia Lai Province. Among them there are 11 species that were discovered for the first time in the research area and 6 new forms discovered for the first time in Vietnam. They all belong to the Pheretima species, which need more data to be named. Three morphologic groups have been founds. The highest distribution of earth-worm is in the primeval forests, the distribution decreases in cultivation land, and the lowest distribution is in the planted forests. Twenty-four species of earth-worms were found in rainy season, and 12 were found in dry season. Earth-worms can be found in the largest number in the areas that are 800-1000 metres high, the lowest number in the areas that are over 1200 metres high. The earth-worms in the the south-west of the Kon Ka King National Park have great potential of use.