Question

The famous Indian zoologist, who wrote a memoir upon Pheretima posthuma is
a) J C Bose
b) M L Bhatia
c) K N Bahl
d) Beni Prasad

Answer 1

Hint: Pheretima is said to be a genus of earthworms which is found mostly in New Guinea and parts of Southeast Asia. Species belonging to the genus Pheretima is said to have a clitellum, which is a band of glandular tissue which is present on segments fourteen to sixteen. The Indian zoologist who wrote a memoir on Pheretima posthuma is from Lucknow University.

Complete answer:
The body of earthworm is made up of hundred to one hundred twenty segments, of which the first segment is divided into an anterior prostomium and posterior ring-like peristomium.
Earthworm was given the generic name Pheretima by zoologist, K N Bahl. He gave information about Pheretima by printing a memoir. He was also awarded the Joy Govind law memorial gold medal for notable research in Asiatic Zoology.
J C Bose pioneered the investigation of radio and microwave optics.
M L Bhatia and Beni Prasad gave important contributions to the biological world.

Additional information:
Similar genera include Amynthas, Archipheretima, Metapheretima, Pithemera, and Polypheretima. In combination these Pheretimoid genera have about thousand species which makes them an important ecological and taxonomic group of the oriental species. Pheretima worms are administered as a medicine in the country China. The worm contains biological agents which are beneficial in rat models of stroke. In clinical practice, it has been recognized for its curative effects in the treatment of the disease epilepsy. It contains hypoxanthine, lumbrofebrin, and lumbritin.

Note:
Pheretima are nocturnal, like most earthworms, and hence have an aversion to light. They come out, feed and reproduce only at night. Similar to most earthworms, they must keep their body surface wet to respire. They are also called farmer's friends because they help in making the soil porous for easy irrigation.