Genus Pontoscolex Schmarda, 1861

Type species. Lumbricus corethrurus Müller, 1857

Diagnosis. Setae, 8 per segment, the arrangement may be regular, more or less irregular, or quincunx. Pigmentation is generally absent. Male pores in the clitellar region. Intra-clitellar tubercula pubertatis are exceptionally absent (e.g. P. Nulloscolex hugoi). Gizzard in VI. Three pairs of calciferous glands tubular-dichotomous (panicled) structure, rarely simple tubular (P. Mesoscolex juanae and P. Nulloscolex hugoi) in VII–IX. Lateral blood vessels in VII–IX and lateroesophageal hearts in X and XI. Holonephridial system. Metandric and metagynous; seminal vesicles usually long and band-like, pierce some septa. Spermathecae simple (after Righi 1984).