Pontoscolex Schmarda, 1861

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 : 294-295

Genus Pontoscolex Schmarda, 1861

Pontoscolex (Pontoscolex) corethrurus ( Müller, 1857: 113)

Type locality possibly in Amazonian Brazil. Considered a cosmopolitan species. Showing high potential for crop improvement ( Fragoso et al. 1999) is commonly used in agriculture practices. In RSA it is recorded from numerous sites in subtropical north-eastern areas of the country, with a selection of coastal zone and hinterland sites along the Indian Ocean (Plisko 2001). Known from protected areas of KNP ( Reynolds & Reinecke 1976; Zicsi & Reinecke 1992), and other sites in LP, MP, KZN, EC and WC (Michaelsen 1913 b; Ljungström 1972). In inland areas ( GP, NW), it has been noted only under or in plant pots, or in greenhouses. The records in the NMSAD increase the number of sites in natural habitats in protected areas: Bluff Nat. Res.; Eastern Shores (Greater St Lucia Wetland Park); Kosi Bay at the edge of Lake Zilonde; Krantzkloof Nat. Res.; Langepa Natural Heritage Site; Mbumbazi Nat. Res.; Ngoye Forest Reserve; Oribi Gorge Nat. Res.; and Skyline Nat. Res. ( KZN), and in the northern Drakensberg at New Agatha and Soutpansberg Ratombo ( LP). Found with microchaetids: Geogenia tuberosa (Plisko, 1998) at the border of sugar cane plantation (Plisko 1998); in Dlinza Forest Nat. Res. with Tritogenia douglasi (Plisko, 1997) , Proandricus entumeni (Plisko, 1992) ; in the area of Port Shepstone, in polluted sites with Geogenia parva (Michaelsen, 1913) and G. tuberosa (Plisko, 1998) (Plisko 2003) . Often occurs with megascolecid Amynthas sp.

However, it must be said that the material accredited to this species in various papers and in material housed in the NMSA, may include more than only one glossoscolecid taxon. Moreno (2004) has recognized more species in various collections earlier accredited to corethrurus , applying more characters for the Pontoscolex species identification. Although up till now only P. corethrurus is reported outside the Neotropics, a new revision of the P. corethrurus collection gathered in the NMSA and recorded in its database may disclose more glossoscolecid species.