Dendrobaena Eisen, 1873

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2010, Megadrile earthworm taxa introduced to South African soils (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae, Eudrilidae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Ocnerodrilidae), African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 289-289 : 298-299

Genus Dendrobaena Eisen, 1873

Dendrobaena cognettii (Michaelsen, 1903: 130)

Described from Sassari, Northwest Sardinia. Known from a few European countries also from USA and Chile. In RSA, recorded in NMSAD: two clitellate specimens found in litter of the indigenous part of the Newlands Forest partly covered by pine plantation, at the Cape Peninsula (WC). Collected with Allolobophoridella eiseni and Lumbricus rubellus , near Aporrectodea caliginosa , and indigenous juvenile acanthodrilids.

Dendrobaena hortensis ( Michaelsen, 1890 a: 15)

Described from Hamburg, Germany. Known from many parts of the world, although not commonly. Transported with various plants; recorded in manure, composting, and rich organic soil, also in greenhouses. Reproducing in various morphs. Polymorphism noted, parthenogenesis not confirmed ( Gates 1972). In RSA reported twice under the synonym D. veneta var. hortensis collected from garden soil in Port Elizabeth (Michaelsen 1899 a) ( EC), and from Cape Town (Michaelsen 1913 a) ( WC) .

Dendrobaena octaedra ( Savigny, 1826: 183)

Described from Paris, France. Occurring widely over the world under variable climatic conditions, in forested areas and plantations, also in golf course greens and grasslands. Broadly known from high altitudes, and cold climatic areas. In RSA recorded mostly from Drakensberg sites at variable altitudes, often reaching 1700 m; common in forested Drakensberg area in LP; 29 records in NMSAD refer to protected areas: Karkloof Nat. Res., Qudeni State Forest, Qudeni Forest Reserve, Mount Currie Nat. Res., Monks Cowl, Kamberg, Cavern, Ndema Grotto (KZN); occurs commonly in indigenous forests, plantations, and grasslands (EC, WC), possibly introduced with planted foreign trees, as suggested by the owner of Benvie Farm, where it was found with the lumbricids Allolobophoridella eiseni , Octolasion lacteum and Dendrodrilus rubidus rubidus , and the megascolecid Amynthas sp.

Dendrobaena veneta veneta ( Rosa, 1886: 674)

Widely distributed, with high morphological variability. During recent decades used for vermicomposting practices. Introduced to RSA for experimental study, with a possible application in compost production ( Viljoen et al. 1991; Muyima et al. 1994). It is not known if these experiments have been completed, or if the species has spread into neighbouring soils in RSA.