Proandricus amphius Plisko, 2003

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2009, Pre-testical spermathecal pores and unusual setal arrangement in the South African endemic microchaetid earthworms of presumed Gondwanan origin (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae), African Invertebrates 50 (2), pp. 237-237 : 244

Proandricus amphius Plisko, 2003

Fig. 7

Proandricus amphius: Plisko 2003: 297 .

Type locality: South Africa: KZN, Injasuthi (29 ° 06'51"S: 29 ° 26'34"E), wooded grassland. Material examined: Holotype NMSA /Olig.03620; 9 paratypes NMSA /Olig.03621. Known only from the type locality in the central Drakensberg mountain range.

External and internal characters are in accord with the species description. Present examination confirms the presence of spermathecae in 9 and 10, the anterior pair with not fully developed ducts located intrasegmentally in segment 9, empty. The posterior pair with ducts deeply embedded in body tissues, entering intersegmentally furrow 10/ 11, always iridescent, containing sperm. The lack of sperm in the anterior spermathecae suggests that the ducts are not open, or are not used during mating. Spermathecal pores in 10/11, although externally not noted, being deeply embedded in body tissues, active. Similar to sani , although some morphological differences were observed (compare notes under P. sani ).

Figures

Figs 6–8. Habitus and enlarged clitellar area of Proandricus species: (6) P. adami, (7) P. amphius, (8) P. oresbiosus. Scale bars = 1 cm.