Proandricus bourquini Plisko, 1996

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 : 242-243

Proandricus bourquini Plisko, 1996

Fig. 4

Proandricus bourquini: Plisko 1996: 298 ; 2003: 301.

Type locality: South Africa: KZN, Ncandu Forest Reserve (27 ° 42'S: 29 ° 59'E), at ca 1830 m. Known from a broad area in the northern part of the central Drakensberg mountain range, along the banks of Ulumbi [iNcandu] R., indigenous forest on the left side of the river, and numerous sites on the grassland plateau and its vicinity (27 ° 42'S: 29 ° 59'E; 27 ° 45'30"S: 29 ° 42'30"E; 27 ° 54'03"S: 29 ° 41'36"E) .

Material examined: Holotype NMSA /Olig.02313, 1 cl paratype NMSA /Olig.02312; 4 cl NMSA /Olig.03489. External and internal characters are in accord with the species description. Setae moderate in size, conspicuous, paired in four regular rows on the whole body length. In the clitellar area a distance between ab pairs is slightly smaller than preclitellarly, although no irregular uplifting of setae was noted. In all mature individuals the spermathecae are similar in appearance, different in size, one to three pairs per segment, in pre-testicular segment 9, and in testicular segment 10.Ampullae globular with elongated ducts.Anterior spermathecal pores in intersegmental furrow 9/10, posterior in 10/11. In the majority of specimens collected in January (local summer), sperm is present in all ampullae; in material collected in October (local early spring) the ampullae are usually empty.

This species, although most similar to lesothoensis and adami in having both spermathecal pores immediately next to testicular segment, in 9/10 and 10/11; differs in the arrangement of setae, not manifesting any discrepancy in the clitellar area. From oresbiosus it differs in the lack of additional spermathecae in segment 9 with its intrasegmental pores.

This species is distantly isolated from the other species of the group. It is found at lower altitudes than other species of the group in the central Drakensberg, occurring on plateau covered by grasses, bushes and small patches of indigenous forest. Being abundant, P. bourquini shows some gradual changes in reduction of the anterior spermathecae, and discrepancy of the setae.

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.