Perelia aharonii ( STEPHENSON, 1922 )

Csuzdi, C. & Pavliček, T., 2005, Earthworms From Israel. Ii. Remarks On The Genus Perelia Easton, 1983 With Descriptions Of A New Genus And Two New Species, Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 51 (2), pp. 75-96 : 79

Perelia aharonii ( STEPHENSON, 1922)

Helodrilus (Allolobophora) aharonii STEPHENSON, 1922: 136 .

Allolobophora (s. l.) aharonii : PAVLÍČEK et al. 2003: 456.

Material examined. BMNH 1921.6 .6.1. Syntype: Palestina, Rehoboth. Leg . T. Aharoni.

Diagnosis. Length – 100 mm; diameter – 4 mm; setae closely paired. Clitellum not fully developed, perhaps on 30–38. Tubercles as distinct bands on 33–37. Male pore small (due to the preadult stage of the specimen?) on 15. Dissepiments 5/6–9/10 thickened. Four pairs of vesicles in 9–12, spermathecae two pairs in 9/10, 10/11 open in setal line cd. Calciferous glands with small lateral diverticula in 10. Nephridial bladders “S” shaped, with cephalad bent ental part and an ectal vesiculum.

Remarks. Unfortunately, this species has not been collected recently and the only specimen known to us is deposited in the Natural History Museum, London. The original description was based on three preadult, softened specimens ( STEPHENSON 1922). However, according to the registration number the specimen available in the Natural History Museum, London, is the only one that had been deposited there. We do not know anything about the two remaining Stephenson’s specimens.