Aporrectodea (Örley, 1885)

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2010, Megadrile earthworm taxa introduced to South African soils (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae, Eudrilidae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Ocnerodrilidae), African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 289-289 : 297-298

Genus Aporrectodea (Örley, 1885)

Aporrectodea caliginosa ( Savigny, 1826: 180) (s.l.) includes A. caliginosa ( Savigny, 1826) (s.str.) and A. trapezoides ( Dugès, 1828) .

Known under numerous synonymies applied to various parthenogenetic and polyploid morphs, differing (among other morphological characters) in the shape and position of tubercula pubertatis. For those with knob-shaped tubercles on segments 31 and 33 the name caliginosa is commonly used; the other form with a continuous padlike organ on segments 31–33 is named trapezoides . Specimens characterized by caliginosa or trapezoides characters usually occur together in variable ratios, often with a preponderance of caliginosa . In South Africa, however, the trapezoides form is dominant, found at over 100 sites, against caliginosa found only at 15 or so localities. These two are shown under caliginosa s.str. (applied in this paper) and trapezoides (used in majority of publications).

Aporrectodea caliginosa ( Savigny, 1826: 180) (s.str.)

Type locality unknown. Native to the Palaearctic; introduced to many parts of the world, broadly and commonly occurring in the natural and cultivated fields, elsewhere where climatic and ecological conditions allow. Synantropic, reproducing in variable parthenogenetic forms. In RSA reported by Michaelsen (1899 a, 1908, 1913 a, b, c), Ljungström (1972), Pickford (1937), Zicsi & Reinecke (1992), and Plisko (2009) from: Zoological Gardens, Pretoria, Krugersdorp and Witportje Falls ( GP); Potchefstroom and Stytfontain ( NW); Port Elizabeth ( EC); Stellenbosch, Kirstenbosch area, “Kapland”, Cape Flats, farm Bergvliet ( WC); and Komaggas, Namaqualand ( NC). Records from NMSAD refer to: Edendale farm in Drakensberg foothills ( FS); Potchefstroom ( NW); Cradock, Tarkastadt and Tsitsikamma ( EC); and Ceres, Newlands Forest and Wellington ( WC). Occasionally collected with endemic acanthodrilids: Eodriloides peringueyi (Michaelsen, 1913) , E. arundinis (Beddard, 1897) , E. purcelli (Michaelsen, 1913) , E. kirstenboschensis Pickford, 1937 , E. drygalskii castelli (Michaelsen, 1913) , Parachilota bergvlietanus (Michaelsen, 1908) , Chilota purcelli purcelli (Beddard, 1897) , Parachilota wahlbergi (Michaelsen, 1899) , and with the lumbricids Allolobophoridella eiseni , Dendrobaena cognettii , Eiseniella tetraedra and some Pheretima sp.

Although its occurrence is noted as less common than trapezoides , its wider distribution may be found. It was recently used in various field experiments ( Maleri et al. 2007, 2008).

Aporrectodea trapezoides ( Dugès, 1828: 289) (s.str.)

Type locality is Montpellier, France. Described worldwide under numerous synonyms. Its occurrence is usually similar to caliginosa s.str. Both occur habitually together, although in various ratios. In RSA, reported from numerous sites. For years its identification was usually confused with caliginosa , and placed under synonymy. Reported by Michaelsen (1913 a, b) from Knysna rain forest ( EC) and Umgeni Falls ( KZN); by Ljungström (1972) from Pietersburg ( LP), Ermelo ( MP), Potchefstroom ( NW), Heidelberg and Roodepoort ( GP), Groot Brak River Staasie and Uitenhage Kerkstraat ( EC) and Cape Town ( WC). Jamieson (1967) reported it from the Krom River, a tributary of the Erste River and north of Stellenbosch. Reinecke and Ljungström (1969) collected it in the area of Potchefstroom with Proandricus modestus (Michaelsen, 1899) . Visser and Reinecke (1977) record it from Moi River irrigation area near Potchefstroom. Found common in cultivated fields and natural habitats by Dlamini et al. (2001). Collected with the acanthodrilid Parachilota timothyi Plisko, 2008 , other lumbricids: Aporrectodea rosea and Dendrodrilus rubidus rubidus , and various megascolecids. The NMSAD records the common occurrence of this subspecies at over 100 sites in all provinces. A specimen from “ Cape ”, identified by Kinberg (1867) as Lumbricus capensis , was placed by Michaelsen (1899 b) in the genus Allolobophora with no species identification; by Blakemore (2004 a) it was indicated as a synonym of trapezoides .

Aporrectodea longa ( Ude, 1885: 136)

Described from garden soil in Göttingen, Germany. Noted from many parts of the world. In RSA reported twice, from garden soil in Roodeport (GP) and Heidelberg (WC). Collected together with Allolobophoridella parva and Eisenia fetida by Reinecke and Ryke (1969).

Aporrectodea rosea ( Savigny, 1826: 182)

Described from Paris, France. Distributed by man widely over the world, synantropic. Parthenogenetic morphs described in numerous synonyms. Common in RSA. Records (Michaelsen 1913 a, 1933; Pickford 1937; Ljungström 1972) refer to: George, Uitenhage, ”North-west Port Elizabeth”; East London area, King William’s Town and Debie Neck (EC); Paradise Estate near Kirstenbosch (WC); and various sites in the Potchefstroom area (NW). Horn et al. (2007) report it from numerous sites in the North Drakensberg forest Swartbos. Recorded in variable morphs from nearly 200 sites in all provinces in variable biotopes. In NMSAD recorded from 127 sites from natural and cultivated fields. Often found with microchaetids: Proandricus timmianus (Michaelsen, 1933) , Tritogenia palusicola Plisko, 1997 , the indigenous acanthodrilid Parachilota timothyi Plisko, 2008 , with the introduced acanthodrilid Microscolex dubius , and with the lumbricids A. trapezoides , Allolobophoridella eiseni and Dendrodrilus rubidus rubidus . Once recorded with Eukerria saltensis by Visser and Reinecke (1977).