Vela carli

Category: Environment and Ecology — Zoology and Biodiversity

Vela carli is a species of earthworm associated with the biodiversity of the Western Ghats region of India.

Key facts

  • Earthworms are invertebrates belonging to the phylum Annelida.

  • They play important roles in soil formation, organic-matter decomposition, nutrient cycling and soil aeration.

  • Earthworm taxonomy often relies on external and internal anatomical characteristics.

  • Species-level identification is important for documenting endemic soil fauna and understanding ecosystem health.

UPSC key pointers

  • Earthworms are segmented invertebrates, not insects.

  • They contribute to soil fertility and ecosystem functioning.

  • Do not confuse Vela carli with Drawida vazhania, another earthworm name in this topic list.

  • Exact distribution and taxonomic details should be checked against the original scientific description before memorising specific locality claims.