Proandricus gracilis (Michaelsen, 1907)

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 : 306

Proandricus gracilis (Michaelsen, 1907)

Microchaetus gracilis Michaelsen, 1907: 8 ; Michaelsen 1913 c: 443, 1918: 330; Reynolds & Cook 1976:108. Proandricus gracilis ; Plisko 1992: 362, 2000 b: 252.

Material examined: KwaZulu­Natal: Wagendrift Nature Reserve : NMSA /Olig.03354 (29º02'31"S: 29º50'13"E) in top layers of soil and among grass roots in summit grassland, 27 February 2001, 12 juv, [2 with tubercula pubertatis and slightly marked clitellum] AJA, PN; NMSA /Olig.03451 (29º02'32"S: 29º50'15"E) in top layer of soil above rocks, medium­high grass and small shrubs, 4 May 2001, 14 cl, AJA, BK. Eastwolds (30º00'S: 29º55'E) area, ca. 30 km north­west of Ixpopo along the road to Bulwer, from fallow ground: NMSA /Olig.00720, 1 mature, autotomised into 4 pieces; NMSA / Olig.00730, 12 cl abscised anterior parts + 10 juv + 10 abscised juv; all collected 29 January 1991 by JDP; ca. 25 km north­west of Ixopo along the road to Bulwer, from ditch near road, NMSA /Olig.00657, 1 with partly absorbed clitellum and tubercula pubertatis, in quiescent phase, 5 June 1990, JDP, A. Zicsi .

Remarks:The species is related to ivari and jasoni . Recently studied material differs slightly from the type descriptions. The variations were observed in the shape of clitellum, number and position of papillae and in the shape of genital glands. Collection sites are shown in 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.