Andiorrhinus (Andiorrhinus) kuru sp nov (Oligochaeta : Glossoscolecidae), a giant earthworm as food resource for Makiritare Indians of the Alto Rio Padamo, Amazonas, Venezuela

Abstract: A new species, Andiorrhinus (Andiorrhinus) kuru sp. nov., of Glossoscolecidae (Oligochaeta) from the Alto Orinoco, Amazonas, Venezuela, is described. The Makiritare Indians traditionally consume this species of earthworm together with another one called motto (Andiorrhinus (Amazonidrilus) motto Righi and Araujo, 1999) and a few other caterpillars, termites, aquatic insects, and weevill larvae. Andiorrhinus (A.) kuru is a large terrestrial earthworm living in the upland forest of the high river Padamo. The Makiritare collect it by digging into the soil with machetes. The species lives 10–20 cm deep in the soil close to the root mat of the trees.