Pontoscolex corethrurus ( Müller, 1857 )

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2001, Notes on the occurrence of the introduced earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) in South Africa (Oligochaeta: Glossoscolecidae), African Invertebrates 42 (1993), pp. 323-334 : 325-330

Pontoscolex corethrurus ( Müller, 1857)

Lumbricus corethrurus Müller, 1857: 113 .

Pontoscolex corethrurus: Michaelsen, 1913: 422 (South African record); Gates, 1943: 92 (description), 1962: 140 (reproduction), 1972: 54 (distribution and description), 1973: 1 (distribution, description and reproduction); Righi & Bittencourt, 1972: 155 (distribution and systematic position); Ljungström, 1972: 7; Reynolds & Reinecke, 1976: 6–10; Zicsi & Reinecke, 1992: 157; Plisko 2000: 77 (South African data); Reynolds, 1993 (records from Swaziland); Edwards & Bohlen, 1996 (ecology and experimental application); Lavelle, Brussaard & Hendrix, 1999 (applications in agroecosystems).

Pontoscolex (Pontoscolex) corethrurus: Righi, 1984: 163 (distribution, systematic position).

External and internal characters observed in South African specimens accord with descriptions by Gates (1943 1962 1972 1973), although some irregularity in thickness of the preclitellar septa was noted. In the hind end of the worm, a swollen region comprising no more than 5–6 segments, called by Eisen (1896) a ‘caudal zone’, was rare; it was found only on seven specimens. Setae b and d on the posterior part of the body were always in the quincunx arrangement. Preclitellarly setae ab or cd on some individuals manifested variable distances. The absence of mature male gametes or rudimentary male organs, observed in all dissected specimens, suggest parthenogenetic reproduction.

MATERIAL EXAMINED

SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Province : Entabeni State Forest (23º01’S: 30º15’E), collected by JDP & TL: near Timbadola from sandy soil, 9 December 1995 ,1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 02255; near Forest Camp from fallow ground, moist sandy soil, 9 December 1995, 40 cl, NMSA / Olig. 02249; on bank Lutanandwa River , from moist sandy soil, 10–11 December 1995, 2 cl + 9 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02263, and 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02258; at pine plantation near ‘ Klein Australia’, 11 December 1995, from sandy soil, 10 cl + 14 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02266, and 3 cl + 4 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02265; from moist, red soil, 4 cl + 9 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02268; on bank of stream, from moist soil, 15 cl, NMSA / Olig. 02272; near Forest Station , from fallow ground topsoil, 10 December 1995, 80 cl + 8 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02252, and 2 cocoons, NMSA / Olig. 02339. Letsitele, on bank Letaba River (23º40'S: 31º25'E), 4 April 1973, S. F. du Plessis, 26 cl + 12 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01078. Tzaneen (23º47'S: 30º09'E) area: on Tzaneen-Strydom Tunnel Rd, approx. 20 miles from Tzaneen, at small stream, 9 July 1967, AJR, 1 specimen, NMSA /Olig.01288; on bank Ramadipa River (23º50'S:30º10'R) near indigenous forest, dry soil, 13 December 1995, JDP & TL, 3 cl + 2 juv, NMSA /Olig.02275 .

Kruger National Park: Skurakwane, between Numbi and Skukuza (24º59'S: 31º35'E) on banks Sabie River, approx. 100 m S of Hippo Pool, dark brown-black clayey soil, 16 April 1975, JWR & AJR, 18 cl + 1 juv, NMSA /Olig.01096 [recorded in Reynolds & Reinecke 1976]. On bank Sabie River at junction of Phabeni River (24º59'S: 31º49'E), from light, sandy soil, 16 April 1975, JWR & AJR, 15 cl + 13 juv, NMSA /Olig.01095 [recorded by Reynolds & Reinecke 1976]. 13 km from Skukuza, near Lower Sabie road, 17 April 1975, AJR & JWR, 27 cl + 5 juv, NMSA / Olig.01075. On bank Sabie River, below Lower-Sabie (25º10'S: 31º59'E) Rest Camp, from wet, rich, dark brown soil, with many casts on surface, 17 April 1975, AJR, 22 cl + 6 juv, NMSA /Olig.01079.

Mpumalan ga: Thalalanati, near Sabie (25º02'S: 30º58'E), collected by JDP & TL: 14– 15 December 1995, from topsoil of grassland near hotel, 11 cl + 16 juv, NMSA / Olig.02285, and from moist soil in pine plantation, 11 specimens, NMSA /Olig.02284. 30 km N of Nelspruit (25º28'S: 31º00'E) near road, at eastern side hill covered by indigenous bush, from moist topsoil, 28 November 1996, JDP & TL, 11 cl + 33 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02398. Nelspruit , on river bank, April 1967, AJR, 3 specimens, NMSA / Olig. 01076. Nelspruit, 4 December 1972, SF du Plessis, 44 cl + 45 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01074. 10 km E of Nelspruit near road to Malelane, in small swamp covered by indigenous bush, from moist soil, 15 December 1995, JDP & TL, 6 cl + 4 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02293 .

Gauteng: Pretoria (25º45'S: 28º12'E): Greenhouse in Burgers Park , under pot-plant, 22 February 1977, JDP, 1 juv, NMSA /Olig. 03296; Groenkloof, Protea Park, from flower bed with various plants transported two days earlier from greenhouse, 15 March 1977, JDP, 16 cl + 1 juv, NMSA /Olig.03269 .

KwaZulu-Natal: Eastern Shores Nature Reserve (28º11'S: 32º30'E), logged and burnt pine plantation, from sand mixed with burnt, very wet pine debris amassed under pine log, 10 January 2000, OB, 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02793. Umfolozi Game Reserve (28º22'S: 31º52'E): Mpila Camp, occasionally watered vegetable garden, dry soil, 28 May 1995, JDP , 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 02104. On high bank White Umfolozi River , ca. 1 km from tourist camp, from primary grassland sandy soil, at 20 cm depth, 24 February 1990, JDP , 21 cl, NMSA /Olig.00642, and 6 abscised posterior parts, NMSA / Olig. 00643. Mapelane Nature Reserve (28º26'S: 32º24'E) at edge indigenous forest and grassland, moist sandy soil, 26 November 1996, JDP & TL , 3 cl + 16 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02373. 7 km NW Melmoth (28º35': 31º24'E) at side of road, fallow ground, 3 December 1990, JDP & BRS , 3 cl + 14 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01049. 15 km S Empangeni (28º42'S: 31º54'E) dry soil of cultivated land, 27 June 1989, JDP & PR, 6 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00899. 8 km S Empangeni, riverine Voacanga thovarsi swamp forest, from clay, humus and roots of various plants, 27 June 1989, JDP & PR, 15 cl + 5 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00852. Richards Bay (28º50'S: 32º08'E) from garden soil, 3 May 1998, BRS , 1 cl + 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02751. Kwa Dlangezwa University of Zululand (28º51'S: 31º51'E) fallow ground, 26 June 1989, JDP & PR, 1 cl + 2 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00936. Swamp with rich soil, near University of Zululand , 26 June 1989, JDP & PR, 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00948. Banana field, moist soil, 26 June 1989, JDP & PR, 11 specimens, NMSA / Olig. 00950. Empangeni, Lighthouse Farm , collected by TCD, 12 April 2000, from topsoil under burnt sugarcane, sample 231, 8 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03064. 14 April 2000, from topsoil under harvested sugarcane: sample 1214, 2 cl, NMSA /Olig.03042; sample 1215, 2 cl + 18 juv, NMSA /Olig.03044; sample 1216, 2 cl + 21 juv, NMSA /Olig.03046; sample 1217, 3 juv, NMSA /Olig.03047; sample 1219, 2 cl + 2 juv + 2 abscised parts, NMSA / Olig.03048; sample 1220, 1 cl + 4 juv, NMSA /Olig.03049; sample 1223, 1 cl + 4 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03050. Entumeni Nature Reserve (28º52'S: 29º22'E), in forest near compound, 1 March 2001, D. Eckard, 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03363. Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve (28º53'S: 31º26'E), indigenous forest sandy soil on bank stream near graveyard, 1 February 1989, JDP & BRS , 2 cl + 37 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00883. Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve , indigenous forest, D. Harebottle: November 1991, 2 cl + 16 juv, NMSA / Olig.01959, and 24 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01973; December 1991, 1 cl + 19 juv, NMSA / Olig.01966, and 2 cl + 11 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01978; January 1992, 2 cl + 26 juv, NMSA / Olig.01980, and 3 cl + 18 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01967; February 1992, 1 cl + 2 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01971. Eshowe (28º53'S: 31º28'E), collected by TCD: Benhurst Farm, under banana plantation, 14 April 2000, sample 319, 2 cl (caudal zone observed) + 4 juv, NMSA / Olig.03082; sample 324, 2 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03084. Brooklee Farm , indigenous forest, 23 February 2000, sample 601, 1 cl + 1 juv, NMSA /Olig.03125; sample 602, 1 cl + 6 juv, NMSA /Olig.03127; sample 603, 8 juv, NMSA /Olig.03128; sample 604, 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03132. Brooklee Farm , under gum trees, 23 February 2000, sample 802, 1 cl, NMSA /Olig.03143 and sample 804, 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03144. Brooklee Farm , under burnt cane, 16 February 2000, sample 201, 5 juv, NMSA /Olig.03051 and sample 203, 2 cl + 4 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03053; 23 February 2000, sample 205, 1 cl + 1 juv, NMSA / Olig.03054 and sample 206, 2 cl + 2 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03055. Brooklee Farm , under kikuyu pasture, 16 February 2000, sample 701, 20 cl, NMSA /Olig.02903 and sample 702, 8 cl + 23 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02905. 10 April 2000: sample 709, 3 cl + 1 juv, NMSA / Olig.02910; sample 710, 3 cl + 5 juv, NMSA /Olig.02914; sample 711, 3 cl + 3 juv, NMSA /Olig.02917; sample 712, 2 cl + 4 juv, NMSA /Olig.02920; sample 714, 3 cl, NMSA /Olig.02926; sample 718, 3 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02936; sample 721, 2 juv (one specimen very short), NMSA /Olig.02942; sample 722, 6 cl, NMSA /Olig.02946; sample 723, 1 cl, NMSA /Olig.02948; sample 725, 5 cl + 5 juv, NMSA /Olig.02953; sample 726, 6 cl + 7 juv, NMSA /Olig.02956; sample 727, 10 cl + 7 juv, NMSA /Olig.02959; sample 730, 18 cl + 20 juv, NMSA /Olig.02965; sample 732, 3 cl, NMSA / Olig. 02970. Fairfield Farm , Field T, under banana trees, 1 March 2000: sample 309, 2 juv, NMSA / Olig.03074; sample 311, 2 cl (manifest regenerated segments in posterior part of the body), NMSA / Olig. 03075. Fairfield Farm , under burnt cane, 1 March 2000, sample 214, 4 juv (minute specimens came out of cocoons during preservation), NMSA / Olig. 03058. KwaMahleka Farm , 8 March 2000, from first 20 cm of soil covered by indigenous forest: sample 606, 1cl, very short, NMSA /Olig.03133; sample 607, 4 cl, NMSA /Olig.03134; sample 608, 3 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03135. KwaMahleka Farm , under gum trees, 8 March 2000, sample 807, 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03148. KwaMahleka Farm , under avocado trees, 8 March 2000, sample 1002, 1 cl, NMSA /Olig.02974; sample 1003, 1 cl + 1 juv, NMSA /Olig.02975; sample 1007, 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02981. KwaMahleka Farm , under citrus trees, 8 March 2000, sample 413, 1 cl + 22 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03107; sample 417, 18 juv (one specimen with a caudale zone on posterior part of the body), NMSA /Olig.03114; sample 419, 1 cl + 4 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03116. Mistyridge Farm , veld, 22 March 2000, sample 506, 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03124. Rockyridge Farm , indigenous forest, 15 March 2000, sample 611, 5 cl + 10 juv, NMSA /Olig.03139; sample 612, 2 cl + 7 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03140. Rockyridge Farm , under gum trees, 15 March 2000, sample 809, 4 cl, NMSA /Olig.03150 and sample 812, 1 cl + 2 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03152. 19 April 2000: sample 817, 1 cl, NMSA /Olig.03156; sample 820, 1 cl, NMSA /Olig.03159; sample 821, 3 cl + 3 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03160. Rockyridge Farm , under pine trees, 19 April 2000: sample 1117, 1 cl + 1 juv, NMSA /Olig.03028; sample 1118, 1 juv, NMSA /Olig.03029; sample 1122, 1 cl, NMSA /Olig.03034; sample 1124, 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03037. Eshowe-Entumeni: Fairfield Farm , under citrus trees, 23 February 2000, sample 404, 1 cl (very short), NMSA / Olig. 03090. Mistyridge Farm , under pine trees, 22 March 2000, sample 1109, 1 cl + 4 juv, NMSA /Olig.03022; sample 1112, 2 cl + 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03025. Rockyridge Farm , under pine trees, 15 March 2000, sample 1102, 2 cl + 2 juv, NMSA /Olig.02993; sample 1103, 2 cl + 1 abscised posterior part, NMSA /Olig.02995; sample 1104, 2 cl, NMSA /Olig.02997; sample 1101, 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 02992. Drakensberg, Rainbow Gorge [indigenous] Forest (28º54'S: 29º05'E), 1950 m, above water catchment, on extended road from Mike’s Pass, from soil & roots of grass dug out under young pine trees, 2 March 1989, JDP & BRS , 4 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00256. Umlalazi Nature Reserve (28º59'S: 31º44'E), from garden soil near tourist camp and office buildings, 2 February 1989, JDP & BRS , 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00881. Gingindlovu (29º01'S: 31º35'E), AJR , 17 cl + 20 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01077. Inyczane River, near bridge on the Gingindlovu to Empangeni Rd, 8 May 1967, POL , 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01279. Otto’s Bluff (29º30'S: 30º23'E), The Craig’s Farm, on bank of local river, 6 December 1989, JDP , 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00317. Pietermaritzburg (29º35'S: 30º25'E): Chapel Str., December 1911, H. C. Burnup, 1 cl, NMSA /Olig.01066, 3 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00283 [recorded in Michaelsen 1913]. Montrose, 2 Loveday Drive , from garden soil, 31 December 1988, JDP , 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00202; 23 January 1989, JDP , 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00204. Montrose , ca. 870 m, from garden soil, 3 October 1988, JDP , 3 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00323. Mt. Michael , under tree, 28 November 1989, JDP , 3 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00846. Scottsville, Sports-Fields near Alexandra Rd. from first 1–20 cm of moist, sandy soil, 14 February 1989, JDP , 2 cl + 4 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00457. Sunnyside, road to Mt. Michael , Celtis Rd. , from red soil and roots, 15 February 1989, JDP , 10 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00993. Town Bush Valley, NPA Nursery , from black rich soil, 17 April 1989, JDP , 9 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00973 and in wet soil between roots of various plants, 6 December 1989, JDP , 2 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00979. Town Bush Valley, on left side road parallel to Queen Elizabeth Park Nature Reserve , from litter under bamboo tree, 24 January 1989, JDP , 13 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00982. Commercial Rd., in front of Tatham Gallery , from flowerbed, 10 August 1995, JDP , 2 cl + 9 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02120. Lower Tugela [Thukela], dam at Tongaat [29º35'S: 31º08'E], under Eucalyptus tree, at 5 cm in black, sandy soil, deeper down sand, 9 May 1967, POL , 3 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01280 [recorded in Ljungström 1972 under N10]. Inanda (29º36'S: 30º55'E), about 3 miles from Mt. Edgecombe , on Umgeni road, sugarcane field, a few feet from edge of field, 10 May 1967, POL , 3 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01281 [recorded in Ljungström 1972 under N11]. Ashburton (29º38'S: 30º28'E), at edge grassland and garden, at 20 cm, 16 January 1989, JDP , 29 cl + 21 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00791. Mount Edgecombe (29º42'S: 31º02'E), sugarcane field, top 1–7 cm of moist, sandy soil, 12 January 1989, JDP , 2 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00904. Inchanga (29º45'S: 30º41'E), between roots of various plants, 20 May 1988, JDP , 4 cl + 5 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00499. Durban (29º51'S: 31º01'E) Stamford Hill: from garden soil, 8 May 1989, JDP , 24 cl + 60 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00216; from garden, sandy soil, after rain, 20 February 1989, JDP , 31 cl, NMSA /Olig.01027 and 64 juv, NMSA / Olig. 01028. Durban Westville , from compost soil, 6 March 1997, J. Palframan, 4 cl + 3 juv, NMSA / Olig. 02493. North Park Nature Reserve (29º52'S: 30º52'E), 23 February 2001, collected by AJA & P. Ngwenya, forest, under log, 3 juv, NMSA /Olig.03345 and NMSA / Olig.03346; forest, grassy glade, 3 cl + 3 juv, NMSA /Olig.03347; under leaf litter, 3 cl + 14 juv, NMSA /Olig.03348; at edge forest in thick medium-tall grass, 3 cl + 22 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03351. Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve (29º54'S: 30º55'E), 23 February 2001, AJA , under edge coastal forest patch, between grass roots, 5 cl + 7 juv, NMSA / Olig.03341, 1 cl + 5 juv, NMSA /Olig.03342, 5 juv, NMSA / Olig. 03343. Ixopo (30º09'S: 30º05'E) area, 0.5 miles from Umzimkulu on Ixopo road, Hancock Grange 2017, grassfield, dark brown wet soil, at 0.5 cm, 15 May 1967, POL , 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01286 [recorded in Ljungström 1972 under N31]. Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve (30º16'S: 30º35'E), collected by JDP , 4 km NE tourist camp, primary grassland, dug out by hand, 22 November 1989, 5 cl + 3 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00757; 5 km W tourist camp, on bank small lake, 23 November 1989, 3 cl + 19 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00843; 6 km N tourist camp, primary grassland, dug out by hand, 22 November 1989, 3 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00762; bush area near tourist camp, from moist soil in close vicinity of large casts of Microchaetus vernoni Plisko, 1992 , 8 March 1989, 9 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00375; grassland, near small lake, 23 November 1989, 13 cl + 66 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00838; primary grassland, from soil near path called ‘north road’, 22 November 1989, 1 cl + 1 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00747; from vegetable garden near tourist camp, 8 March 1989, 12 cl + 6 juv, NMSA / Olig. 00835. Umlazi [area], Amanzimtoti [30º03'S: 30º53'E] Mission Reserve : near Adams Mission , Tiller station , extremely sandy soil, worms found on slope with wild grass, 10 May 1967, POL, NMSA / Olig. 03189 [recorded in Ljungström 1972 under N14]; Adams Mission, in arable field [probably pasture], rich black soil, at Scottburgh [30º17'S: 30º45'E] on Port Shepstone Rd. , 17 October 1967, AJR & POL , 1 cl abscised, NMSA / Olig. 01287 [recorded in Ljungström 1972 under N41]. Umzinto [30º18'S: 30º39'E]: Glenrosa Station (Lot. 23), dam SW main road, approx. 7 miles from Umzinto on the Ixopo Rd, black, wet soil, 12 May 1967, POL , 1 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01285 [recorded in Ljungström 1972 under N24]; 1 mile from Park Rynie on Umzinto road, [probably pasture] black, sandy soil, worms down to 15 cm, 12 May 1967, POL , 2 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01284 [recorded in Ljungström under N21]; at dam on coast road, 25 miles N Port Shepstone [30º 42'S: 30º27'E]; [probably pasture] black clayey soil on sand, 12 May 1967, POL , 2 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01282 [on label: additional information ‘approx. 15 miles N of Hibberdene’]; [recorded in Ljungström 1972 under N 20]; at bank Ntskambili river 2 miles SW Umzumbe [30º37'S: 30º33'E], 11 May 1967, POL , 2 cl, NMSA / Olig. 01283. Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve (30º42'S: 30º16'E) collected by JDP : at edge of sugarcane field, from wet, sandy soil, 22 May 1989, 10 cl, NMSA / Olig. 00223 and at ca. 550 m, from garden soil near rest camp, 22 May 1989, 1 cl (abscised posteriorly) NMSA / Olig. 00892. Mbumbazi Nature Reserve (30º48'S: 30º16'E) hillside, under tall grass, along road, 26 March 2001, collected by AJA & B. Kasseepursad, 2 cl, NMSA / Olig. 03398. Mpenjati Nature Reserve (30º58'S: 30º16'E), 28 March 2001, AJA & B. Kasseepursad, valley, tall higrophilous grass, 8 cl +7 juv, NMSA /Olig.03412; valley, medium-tall grass, 3 cl + 2 juv, NMSA /Olig.03415; valley, gardensoil outside Emthini Chalet, 1 juv, NMSA /Olig.03416.

Earlier published records:

SOUTH AFRICA: Michaelsen 1913: 422: KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, Umgeni, in plantation. Ljungström 1972: 7–8: Kruger National Park, Skukuza village, T16. Northern Province: Tzaneen [area], T19. Nelspruit T36. KwaZulu-Natal: Inyczane River, N3. Lower Tugela [Thukela area]: Stanger [29º30'S: 31º17'E] N7; Etete River N9; Mdloti River N11. Inanda [29º36'S: 30º55'E] [area], N12. Amanzimtoti [30º03'S: 30º53'E] Mission Reserve, Adams Mission, N 15. Umgagaba [30º08'S: 30º50'E] dam, N27. 1.5 miles from Park Rynie [30º19'S: 30º44'E], N22. Reynolds & Reinecke 1976: 6–8: Kruger National Park: Matukwala, KNP2; Makoleke, KNP3; Skukuza [24º59'S:30º55'], KNP6; on Bumepad, KNP12; on road from Skukuza, KNP13, 14,17,19 & 23; Pafuri, KNP22; Mahlangene, KNP25; Skukuza Rest Camp, KNP27. [All collected on banks of rivers or near roads]. Zicsi & Reinecke 1992: 157: Kruger National Park: Skukuza. Northern Province: Nelspruit; White River [25º20'S: 31º1'E]; Graskop [24º57'S: 30º 52'E].

SWAZILAND: Reynolds 1993: 1–8: 3 km west of Pigg’s Peak [ca. 25º55'S: 31º15'E] under logs in stream bank; Ehlane Wildlife Sanctuary [ca. 26º15'S: 31º50'E]; 2 km E Ezulwini [ca. 26º24'S: 31º10'E]; Mliwane Game Sanctuary, [ca. 26º29'S: 31º10'E] Ranger’s house and granny’s garden; Nsoko [ca. 27º05'S: 31º58'E] stream bank .

Extralimital material:

In the Natal Museum Oligochaeta collection are also specimens of P. corethrurus from the following countries:

MADAGASCAR: Tananarive , [19º00'S:47º40'] at 1100 m, garden sandy clay with organic matter, 19 September 1996, S. T. Rarivonandrasana, 2 cl, NMSA / Olig. 02461 .

SEYCHELLES ARCHIPELAGO: Cousine Island: [No more data given] March 1996, OB, 3 cl, NMSA /Olig.02321; from blackish soil (old swamp area) in banana plantation; less than 4 cm from surface, under banana leaf litter, 4 July 1995, OB, 5 cl + 4 juv, NMSA /Olig.02114; under granite rocks, 15 July 1995, OB, 4 juv, NMSA /Olig.02117; from rich litter humus on coarse soil mixed with humus, 1–3 cm below litter accumulated under Ficus canopy, 16 July 1995, OB, 2 cl + 2 juv, NMSA /Olig.02112; South ridge: under coconut husks litter, near surface, not more than 2 cm deep, 19 July 1995, OB, 4 cl + 4 juv, NMSA /Olig.02111; under Pandanus canopy and litter, ca. 3 cm under surface, 18 July 1995, OB, 8 juv, NMSA /Olig.02116.