Pre-testical spermathecal pores and unusual setal arrangement in the South African endemic microchaetid earthworms of presumed Gondwanan origin (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae)
Author
Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta
text
African Invertebrates
2009
2009-12-31
50
2
237
237
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.5733/afin.050.0202
journal article
10.5733/afin.050.0202
2305-2562
7910427
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.