Glossoscolecidae Michaelsen, 1900

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 : 294

Family Glossoscolecidae Michaelsen, 1900

Indigenous South African Microchaetidae and South American Glossoscolecidae , having a known Gondwanan origin ( Mischis 2004; Plisko 2009), are commonly accepted as closely related (Michaelsen 1900; Stephenson 1930; Brinkhurst & Jamieson 1971). To date, 136 microchaetid species recorded in South Africa are indigenous with high endemicity and very low ability to adapt to other than original habitats. Similar observations apply to the majority of the glossoscolecids occurring in South American biotopes. However, one glossoscolecid species, Pontoscolex corethrurus has been reported from numerous countries, being transported purposely or passively by humans, and adapting easily to variable environments where climatic conditions allow.