Proandricus sani Plisko, 2002

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 : 243

Proandricus sani Plisko, 2002

Fig. 5

Proandricus sani: Plisko 2002: 185 ; 2003: 295.

Type locality: Lesotho : Sani Plateau at 2906 m (29 ° 35'S: 29 ° 16'E). Known only from the type locality in the southern part of the central Drakensberg mountain range, located in Lesotho .

Material examined: Holotype NMSA /Olig.02715.

External and internal characters are in accord with the species description. Spermathecae spherical, with long ducts, in 9 and 10. Spermathecal pores intrasegmentally in 9 and intersegmentally in 10/11. Anterior spermathecae of segment 9 empty, with duct indicating intrasegmental opening in 9, not detected externally. Posterior spermathecae much larger than anterior, with slight iridescence signifying pore activity during mating. Similar intrasegmental pores in 9 are known in oresbiosus and amphius , although some relationship might be expected with amphius , in which also the spermatheca of 9 is not active. Differences between these species are in the shape and commencement of the intestine, which for sani is segment 12, with no loops, but in amphius it is 13 with developed loops in 21–27. Setae are irregularly shifted in the clitellar area, confirming the species’ accreditation to the lesothoensis species-group.

Figures

Figs 2–5. Habitus and enlarged clitellar area of Proandricus species: (2) P. lesothoensis, (3) P. pajori, (4) P. bourquini, (5) P. sani. Scale bars = 1 cm.