Proandricus pajori Plisko, 1993

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 : 242

Proandricus pajori Plisko, 1993

Fig. 3

Proandricus pajori: Plisko 1993: 203 ; 1994: 230; 2000: 259; 2003: 295.

Microchaetus lesothoensis: Zicsi & Pajor 1992: 129 .

Type locality: South Africa: KZN, Cathedral Peak area (approx. 28 ° 55'S: 29 ° 09'E) at ca 1800 m. Known from the central Drakensberg mountain range, from the type locality and its close neighbourhood .

Material examined: Holotype NMSA /Olig.01202/1; 2 clitellate paratypes NMSA /Olig.01202/2.

In examined specimens internal and external characters are in agreement with their original descriptions. Two specimens deposited in the HNHM, identified by Zicsi and Pajor (1992) as lesothoensis , were not examined by me. However, I am of the opinion that they belong to pajori . These specimens, collected at the same time, from the same locality as pajori , had been identified before pajori was described. All descriptions of the characters, including the number and position of spermathecae, presented by Zicsi and Pajor (1992), justify their identity as pajori .

The only one pair of spermathecae in 10, with its pores immediately posterior to the testicular segment in furrow 10/11, at first suggested a relationship with the warreni species-group (Plisko 1993), which is characterized by one pair of spermathecae. Considering the discrepancy in the arrangement of setae and a reduction of the spermathecae to one pair located in the testicular segment, pajori is assigned to the lesothoensis species-group. These two specific characters may confirm a relationship with the other congeners accredited to this group. It is possible that pajori undergoes a reduction of the anterior spermathecae.

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.