Parachilota warreni (Michaelsen, 1913), 1937

Plisko, J. D., 2008, New South African Acanthodrilinae earthworm species, with new data for some earlier known members of the genus Parachilota (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae), African Invertebrates 49 (2), pp. 21-21 : 34-35

Parachilota warreni (Michaelsen, 1913)

Fig. 14

Chilota warreni: Michaelsen 1913 a: 411–414 ; Plisko 1991: 287 [correction of erroneous data given in Reynolds & Cook 1976].

Chilota (Parachilota) warreni [partim]: Reynolds & Cook 1976: 189 [erroneous data]; Plisko 1991: 287 [correction of erroneous data].

Parachilota warreni: Pickford 1937: 347–351 ; Zicsi 1998: 64 [partim].

Paratypes examined: KwaZulu-Natal : NMSA /Olig.00272 [old # MN 309 ], 1 cl, Drakensberg, Game Pass [29°22'S: 29°37'E], vi.1912, H.C. Burnup ; NMSA /Olig.00273 [old # MN 446 ], 1 cl, Howick [29°29'S: 30°14'E], in detritus nr Umgeni Falls [= Howick Falls], 30.viii.1911, W. Michaelsen .

Other material examined: KwaZulu-Natal: SAMC A21627 ( SAMC), 1 cl, Kranskop, K.C. Barnard, det. Pickford (1937) ; NMSA / Olig. 03472, 1 cl & 2 juv, Karkloof Nat. Res. (29°17'58.419"S: 30°12'32.347"E), A.J. Armstrong ; NMSA / Olig. 03955, 2 cl, Garden Castle (29°45'17.594"S: 29°12'26.177"E), at 1960 m, Nslope in seepage area, grassland with Themeda grass, herbs & few shrubs, 1.iii.2005, A.J.Armstrong . Eastern Cape: NMSA / Olig. 00582a, 3 cl, Hogsback (32°35'S: 26°56'E), Auckland Forest , mixed riverine bush, from 1–15 cm saturated soil, 21.i.1990 , JDP & BRS.

Comments: Michaelsen (1913 a: 411) described this species as ‘ Chilota warreni n. sp. ’ from numerous specimens collected in the neighbourhood of Pietermaritzburg and in the Drakensberg Mountains. A large part of the studied material was deposited in the ZMUH and some specimens in the BMNH. Two paratypes have been left in the NMSA, numbered MN 309 and MN 446, and are currently accessioned under the numbers NMSA /Olig.00272, and NMSA /Olig.00273 (Plisko 2006). In the same year Michaelsen (1913 b: 547) described a microchaetid, giving the name ‘ Microchaetus warreni n. sp. ’, depositing three type specimens in the ZMUH (#7765), and one paratype in the NMSA collection (present accession number NMSA /Olig.00271). For many years, the material of both species has not been examined, and this misled Reynolds and Cook (1976: 189) to state that Microchaetus warreni was a synonym of Chilota (Parachilota) warreni . Plisko (1991) has clarified the taxonomic status of both species.

P. warreni belongs to a group of species with spermathecal multilobate diverticula. The multilobes are attached to the front face of the spermathecal duct and are not fused posteriorly ( Fig. 14 ). It is similar to P. uysae , but the species differ in the shape of the spermathecae and the commencement of the intestine.

Biological notes and distribution:The species is known from distinct habitats, preferring moist or wet biotopes. It appears at distantly separated sites in the Drakensberg foothills in KZN, extending its range to the KZN midlands, and to Auckland Forest in the Eastern Cape.Although our knowledge of its distribution is still limited, it may be noted that its fragmented appearance is probably affected by anthropogenic changes to the environment.

Figures

Figs 13, 14. Spermathecae of Parachilota species with multilobate diverticulum, 500×: (13) P. uysae sp. n., holotype; (14) P. warreni (Michaelsen, 1913), spermathecae from ventral side of body. Abbreviations:A – ampulla, D – spermathecal duct, MDv – multilobate diverticulum, MDvl – left part of multilobate diverticulum of anterior spermathecae, MDvm – medial part of multilobate diverticulum of posterior spermathecae, MDvr – right part of multilobate diverticulum of anterior spermatheca.