Question

The common Indian earthworms are

A. Pheretima and Tigrina
B. Pheretima and Hirudo
C. Pheretima and Terrestris
D. Pheretima and Lumbricus

Answer 1

Hint: Hirudo is a genus of leeches and not earthworms. Terrestris is a species of earthworm found in Europe. Tigrina are genus of planaria native to America.

Complete answer:
1.Earthworms are free living tubular worms distributed throughout the world. Earthworms are useful for increasing soil fertility, aeration and hence quality of soil. Process of applying earthworms to make fertilizer is called vermicomposting.
2.India has nearly 500 (451) different species of earthworms belonging to 71 different genera.
3.Pheretima is a genus of earthworm belonging to the family Megascolecidae. This type of earthworm is found in India. A common species is Pheretima posthuma.
4.Hirudo represents a genus of leeches which are parasites dependent on mammalian blood for maintaining their life cycles. Species of this genus produce the anticoagulant Hirudin. 5.Thus, the genus Hirudo does not have any earthworm.
6.Tigrina is a species of carnivore flatworm (Girardia tigrina)native to America but are now also found in Japan and Europe. This species is invasive in nature. These animals are pigmented on their dorsal surface and have a length around 10mm.
6.Lumbricus is a genus of earthworm belonging to the family Lumbricoides and more than one species are found in India.

Hence the correct answer is OPTION(D)

Note: Both Hirudo and Pheretima are annelids but Pheretima is free living whereas adult members of Hirudo are parasitic. Only one species of Pheretima and three species of Lumbricus have been reported in India.