New earthworms from Madagascar with key to the Kynotus species (Oligochaeta: Kynotidae)

Investigation of earthworms collected in Madagascar resulted in the discovery of two new species belonging to the endemic family Kynotidae: Kynotus sihanakus and Kynotus sakafotsy spp. nov. In addition to the description of both new species, Kynotus voeltzkowi Michaelsen, 1897 and Kynotus schistocephalus Michaelsen, 1897 were recorded for the first time after the original description. DNA barcoding, provided here for the first time for species of Kynotidae, proved to be highly efficient in recognizing Kynotus species showing 100% bootstrap support for all the putative species analyzed. An identification key to the Kynotus species is provided to facilitate further researches on earthworms of this biodiversity hotspot.