Proandricus setosus Plisko, 1996

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2003, Eleven new South African earthworms (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae) with new information on some known species, and an inventory of the microchaetids of KwaZulu-Natal, African Invertebrates 44 (2), pp. 279-325 : 304-305

Proandricus setosus Plisko, 1996

Proandricus setosus Plisko, 1996 b: 303 ; Plisko 2000 b: 241.

Material examined: KwaZulu­Natal: NMSA / Olig. 01779 33 km north­west of Pongola (27º20'S: 31º30'E) on the side of the road 27 November 1993, 5 cl + 2 juv, JDP , TL, DMc. NMSA / Olig. 02390 25 km west of Pongola , grassland near road 27 November 1993, 3 cl + 2 juv JDP , TL. NMSA / Olig. 02075 Pongola Bush Nature Reserve (27º25'S: 31º02'E) at the border of bush and grassland 19 January 1995, 2 cl + 1 juv, JDP, BRS , B. Howells. Ithala Game Reserve , collected by JDP , TL, DMc: Along Mhladeni Road (27º32'S: 31º15'E – 27º33'S: 31º20'E) 30 November 1993: NMSA / Olig.01802 at ca. 680 m near small dam from moist soil, 8 cl; NMSA /Olig.01806, 8 cl + 5 juv; NMSA / Olig.01808 at ca. 780 m from grassland rocky soil, 5 cl + 3 juv; NMSA / Olig. 01810 at ca. 700 m from grassland rocky soil, 1 cl+ 1 juv. NMSA / Olig. 01827 at the side entrance to Reserve (27º32'S: 31º23'E) 4 cl + 1 juv. NMSA / Olig. 01737 near Craig Adam (27º33'S: 31º23'E) at ca. 800 m on bank of stream flowing to Vumangve River 24 November 1993, 12 cl + 3 juv, and NMSA / Olig. 01742 between stones from moist soil, 1 cl + 1 juv. NMSA/02297 40 km north of Vryheid (27º46'S: 30º50'E) near road to Melmoth from grassland moist soil 16 December 1995, 1 cl + 2 juv. NMSA / Olig. 01043 Ngome Forest (27º52'S: 31º24'E) on the side of the road 4 December 1990, 1 cl, JDP, BRS .

Remarks: Variability in external and internal characters was observed in several individuals. Clitellum shorter than described for the type material, covering only segments 12–21, occurred in specimen collected in Ngome. Various thicknesses of setae were noticeable in many sympatric individuals. One pair of spermathecae per segment, located in 11 and 12, as was stated in the type descriptions (Plisko 1996 a), was observed in many dissected individuals. However, in some specimens the additional one spermatheca in segment 12, or two pairs in 11 and 12 were observed. Modest differences in the shape of spermathecae were also noticeable.

The species, described from Kranskop situated in central KZN, has been recorded from numerous sites in the northern part of this province ( Fig. 7 ), and also from Drakensberg range in Mpumalanga.

The colletti species­group

To this group, characterised by spermathecal pores occurring in two intersegmental furrows 11/12 and 12/13, and with only two septa 7/8 8/9 thickened, are assigned: colletti * (Beddard, 1907), adriani *, babanango *, bergvillensis *, entumeni *, gracilis *, jasoni *, ortyi *, thornvillensis *, bulwerensis * Plisko, 1992, hedothecus * Plisko, 2000, injasuti * Plisko, 2002, ivari * (Michaelsen, 1907), martensi * Plisko, 2002, michelleae * Plisko, 2002, richerti * Plisko, 2002, comptus Plisko, 1996 , dwesa Plisko, 2002 . The species marked with one asterisk were recorded from KZN. P. comptus is known from the northern extension of the Drakensberg in Mpumalanga; dwesa from Eastern Cape, south of KZN.

New data are recorded for adriani , babanango , bergvillensis , entumeni , gracilis , jasoni , ortyi and thornvillensis . No new data are presently available for: colletti known from north­eastern KZN, bulwerensis known from Ixopo area, hedothecus occurring in the northern KZN, injasuti collected in the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve, ivari known from central KZN, martensi and michelleae recorded from the Drakensberg Gardens, and richerti known only from Vergelegen Nature Reserve.

Species distribution in KZN is shown in Fig. 7 .

Figures

Fig. 7. The distribution of Proandricus species in KZN. 1 = adami; 2 = adriani; 3 = alatus; 4 = amphius; 5 = armstrongi; 6 = babanango; 7 = beddardi; 8 = bergvillensis; 9 = bourquini; 10 = bulwerensis; 11 = colletti; 12 = crookesi; 13 = entumeni; 14 = gracilis; 15 = hedothecus; 16 = hlatikulu; 17 = injasuti; 18 = ivari; 19 = jasoni; 20 = lovuus; 21 = marleyi; 22 = martensi; 23 = michelleae; 24 = modestus; 25 = oresbiosus; 26 = ortyi; 27 = pajori; 28 = richerti; 29 = setosus; 30 = thornvillensis.