Proandricus modestus (Michaelsen, 1899)

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2003, Eleven new South African earthworms (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae) with new information on some known species, and an inventory of the microchaetids of KwaZulu-Natal, African Invertebrates 44 (2), pp. 279-325 : 304

Proandricus modestus (Michaelsen, 1899)

Microchaeta modesta Michaelsen, 1899 a: 109 ; Ude 1905: 495; Reynolds & Cook 1976: 139.

Microchaetus modestus ; Michaelsen 1900: 449; Ljungström & Reinecke 1969: 217; Reinecke & Ljungström 1969: 217; Reinecke& Ryke 1970 a: 8, 1970 b: 1, 1972 a: 3, 1972 b: 1, 1974: 333; Reinecke 1983: 199.

Microchaetus modestus f. typica Michaelsen, 1912: 85; Michaelsen 1918: 328.

Microchaetus modestus var. typica Michaelsen, 1913 a: 542 .

Proandricus modestus ; Plisko 1992: 355, 2000 b: 240.

Remarks: This species belongs to a small microchaetid group distributed in several provinces of South Africa (Tables 1–3). It was recorded from the Northern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga, KZN and Eastern Cape provinces. Collected from natural biotopes and also from agricultural fields ( Ude 1905, Ljungström & Reinecke 1969, Reinecke 1983, Reinecke & Ryke 1970 a b 1972 a b 1974, Plisko 2000 b). Its broad distribution probably results from agricultural practices, possible adaptation to disturbed habitats, and an ability to survive under different temperatures (Reinecke & Ryke 1974, Plisko 2000 b). This is the only species of the genus that ranges far to the west of the country. In KZN it was recorded in a roadside bank near an agricultural field ( Fig. 7 ).

Figures

Fig. 7. The distribution of Proandricus species in KZN. 1 = adami; 2 = adriani; 3 = alatus; 4 = amphius; 5 = armstrongi; 6 = babanango; 7 = beddardi; 8 = bergvillensis; 9 = bourquini; 10 = bulwerensis; 11 = colletti; 12 = crookesi; 13 = entumeni; 14 = gracilis; 15 = hedothecus; 16 = hlatikulu; 17 = injasuti; 18 = ivari; 19 = jasoni; 20 = lovuus; 21 = marleyi; 22 = martensi; 23 = michelleae; 24 = modestus; 25 = oresbiosus; 26 = ortyi; 27 = pajori; 28 = richerti; 29 = setosus; 30 = thornvillensis.