Parachilota traegardhi (Michaelsen, 1907)

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2012, An annotated checklist of the South African Acanthodrilidae (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae: Acanthodrilinae, Benhamiinae), Zootaxa 3458, pp. 4-58 : 40-41

Parachilota traegardhi (Michaelsen, 1907)

Chilota trägårdhi Michaelsen, 1907b: 3 .

Chilota trägardhi: Reynolds & Cook 1976: 181 ; ZMH. Chilota trägardhi trägardhi : BMNH.

Parachilota tragardhi: Pickford 1937: 230 .

Parachilota traegardhi: Zicsi 1998: 64 ; HMNH;

Parachilota traegardhi f. typicus: Plisko 2006: 58; NMSAD. Parachilota traegardhi var. major: Plisko 2006: 58 ; NMSAD.

Type locality. KZN, Lake Sibayi, shore, Zululand.

Distribution. Species reported under the name Parachilota traegardhi from distant localities in two provinces, Northern KZN (lake-shore?) and EC, coastal-belt in southern corner of the province. Further eastern foot-hills of Drakensberg (coastal mountain range, Amatola foothills); Hogsback, forest; Storms River forest. Under subspecies name P. traegardhi major it is noted from KZN midlands.

Remarks. Pickford (1937: 230) under the heading ‘ Parachilota traegardhi (Michaelsen, 1907) ’ gives a diagnosis of the species and a key to two subspecies distinct by different penial setae. The subspecies P. tragardhi tragardhi (Michaelsen, 1907) and P. tragardhi major Michaelsen, 1913 are then described in detail. Subspecies distant occurrence is indicated. Following Pickford’s indication, the two subspecies Parachilota tragardhi traegardhi , and Parachilota tragardhi major are accepted, although species revision is suggested. Paratype BMNH 138.7.1.934.

Data may suggest broad subspecies distribution, although the need for species revision and its distribution is advised.