New and little known giant earthworms from Madagascar (Oligochaeta: Kynotidae)

During a survey of the soil macrofauna of Madagascar three giant earthworm species were collected in the eastern part of the island. One of them, Kynotus friderici Michaelsen, 1931, is a known species described as K. longus var. friderici Michaelsen, 1931 and elevated to species rank herein. The other two species, K. giganteus sp. n. and K. proboscideus sp. n., proved to be new to science. K. giganteus measures alive 1350-1400 mm in length, 20-25 mm in diameter; K. proboscideus alive is ca 500-600 mm long and 15-20 mm in diameter. All worms belong to the Malagasy endemic family Kynotidae.