Geogenia mkuzi ( Plisko, 1992 )

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2009, Pre-testical spermathecal pores and unusual setal arrangement in the South African endemic microchaetid earthworms of presumed Gondwanan origin (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae), African Invertebrates 50 (2), pp. 237-237 : 248

Geogenia mkuzi ( Plisko, 1992)

Fig. 10

Microchaetus mkuzi: Plisko 1992: 341 ; 1998: 273; 2003: 281.

Geogenia mkuzi: Plisko 2006: 44 .

Type locality: South Africa: KZN, Mkuzi Game Reserve (27 ° 36'S: 32 ° 15'E) .

Material examined: Holotype NMSA /Olig.00630, 8 paratypes NMSA /Olig.00632; 5 cl NMSA /Olig.01759 from KZN Itala Game Reserve .

The species is known from two sites, both in the northern part of KZN, much distant from the similar, possibly related, benhami . In mkuzi , the spermathecae and their pores occur in a similar position to those in benhami , e.g. in 10/11, 11/12, 12/13, 13/14, 14/ 15, 15/16. However, in one specimen, the first spermathecal pores on the right side are found anterior to first pair of testes in 9/10, having the following five in 10/11, 11/12, 12/13, 13/14, 14/15. On the left side they are in 10/11 and the following furrows. Setae are arranged in regular rows.

The presence of spermathecal pores in both testicular segments in holandric species is unusual for microchaetids, and was noted only in benhami and mkuzi . Both species, however, show no similarity to the lesothoensis species-group.

Figures

Figs 9, 10. Habitus of Geogenia benhami (9) and G. mkuzi (10). Scale bars = 1 cm.