Agartala, June 14, 2025: In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, two new species of earthworms have been officially reported from the state of Tripura, adding to India’s growing biodiversity records. The newly identified species have been named Kanchuria tripuraensis and Kanchuria priyasankari, both reflecting the regional and academic legacy behind the discovery.
This achievement is the result of a national-level collaboration between researchers from Tripura and Kerala. The team from Tripura was led by Dr. Animesh Dey, Assistant Professor at the Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Tripura University. He worked in collaboration with S. Prasanth Narayanan, R. Paliwal, and other scientists from Kerala.
The initial discovery traces back to 2004-2010, when Dr. Animesh Dey and Dr. Sabyasachi Nath first collected the specimens during their doctoral research under the mentorship of renowned earthworm expert, Prof. Priyasankar Chaudhuri (Retd.). The worms were discovered in the rubber and pineapple plantations of Tripura, highlighting the state’s underexplored soil biodiversity.
Years later, a new generation of researchers successfully recollected the specimens, allowing the scientific community to validate and describe the species formally.
The species Kanchuria tripuraensis has been named in honor of its state of origin Tripura while Kanchuria priyasankari stands as a tribute to Prof. Priyasankar Chaudhuri, recognizing his over four decades of dedication to earthworm research. Prof. Chaudhuri’s work has positioned Tripura on both national and international platforms in the field of oligochaetology (earthworm science).
This discovery is not only a scientific milestone but also a celebration of academic continuity and ecological richness. It underlines the importance of sustained research, regional collaboration, and the ecological significance of Tripura’s plantation habitats.
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