Morphological & Molecular Identification of Some Oligochaete Species (Annelida – Clitellata) as a New Record for Iraq

Abstract

Megadrili oligochaete samples were collected from different sites on the middle sector of Euphrates River sediment ̸ Iraq. Sediment texture, pH and sediment organic matter percentage were also measured. The sorted worms were identified morphologically and by molecular analyses. For molecular identification, 18srRNA gene was amplified via PCR using the universal primer, and the gene sequences were obtained from pheretimoid species and compared for similarity using BLAST at NCBI site and deposited in Gen Bank with assigned accession numbers. The generated and alternate homologous sequences adapted from the Gen Bank database were uploaded in MEGA-X 10.1 version 39 for alignment. Morphologically the worms were identified according to specialized keys, described and the taxonomic criteria for each species were photographed. The result revealed that the sediment texture range between loam to clay loam with 3-13 % organic matters and pH 7.3-7.8. Three species of megadrile oligochaete were identified including, three individuals of species Bimastos eiseni Levinsen, 1884. The gene sequence of this species was uploaded to Gen Bank with accession number LC807036. The second identified species was Haplotaxis gorioides Hartman, 1821 five individuals were collected, its gene sequences was uploaded to the gene bank with accession number of LC807034. Finally, Metaphire houlleti Perrier, 1872. Two individuals were collected; its gene sequences were uploaded to the gene bank with accession number of LC807033 This is the first record of these species in Iraq.