Octolasion Örley, 1885

Plisko, Jadwiga D. & Nxele, Thembeka C., 2015, An annotated key separating foreign earthworm species from the indigenous South African taxa (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae, Eudrilidae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Microchaetidae, Ocnerodrilidae and Tritogeniidae), African Invertebrates 56 (3), pp. 663-663 : 694-695

Genus Octolasion Örley, 1885

Two species: O. cyaneum ( Savigny, 1826) and O. lacteum ( Örley, 1881) . Morphologically similar, although the constant position of the clitellum and tubercula pubertatis indicates difference. 1 Clitellum initiates at segment 29, terminates at 34. Tubercula pubertatis along the ventral borders of the clitellum, thin bands on 29–33 ..............................................

.................................................................................... O. cyaneum ( Savigny, 1826)

Description: Body length 7–145 mm. Unpigmented, grey. Setae at anterior part closely paired,

post clitellum distant. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Male pores with small tumescens not extending to neighbouring segments. Spermathecal pores in 9/10 and 10/11. Calciferous glands in 10–11. Holandric.

Excretory system holoic, nephridial bladders ocarina-shaped.

Notes: Native to Palearctic, transported broadly to many parts of the world. Kuu and Ivask (2010)

observed the species’ quick adaptation to new environmental conditions. Endogeic. In RSA it has been found only twice; once in a garden between the roots of imported plants in EC, and a recent new record in WC.

– Clitellum constantly on 30–35. Tubercula pubertatis on 30–35............................... .......................................................................................... O. lacteum ( Örley, 1881) Description: Body length 30–145 mm. Unpigmented, grey. Setae at anterior part paired more closely than at posterior. Male pores with tumescens slightly extending to neighbouring segments.Spermathecal pores in 9/10 and 10/11. Calciferous glands in 10–11 with lateral diverticula in 10.

Notes: Palearctic origin, broadly distributed worldwide. Described under various synonyms. In RSA common in moist-to-wet biotopes, and in rich organic matter in forests, grasslands and gardens. Endogeic. Reproduces bisexually and parthenogenetically.The small, 30–45 mm morphs produced via parthenogenetic polyploid reproduction create abundant communities. Under the favourable climatic conditions found in RSA, the species occurs in large populations in wet biotopes, and has spread to cultivated and natural fields. Control of its growing population is advised.