Dichogaster Beddard, 1888

Plisko, Jadwiga Danuta, 2010, Megadrile earthworm taxa introduced to South African soils (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae, Eudrilidae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Ocnerodrilidae), African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 289-289 : 291-292

Genus Dichogaster Beddard, 1888

Subgenus Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) Csuzdi, 1996 Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) affinis (Michaelsen, 1890 b: 29)

Described from Quilimane, Zanzibar. Tropical and subtropical; known from western and central Africa, Middle and South America, India, Burma and Indonesian islands. In

RSA occurs rarely; reported by Horn et al. (2007) from a few sites in the Soutpansberg ( LP) and by Zicsi (1998) from Durban, Stamford Hill and Pietermaritzburg (Sunnyside, Celtis Rd, collected with annae ) (all KZN).

Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) annae (Horst, 1893: 32)

Described from Java. Recorded from tropical parts of Africa and South America. From RSA, reported by Zicsi (1998) from one locality in Pietermaritzburg (suburb Sunnyside, at side of Celtis Rd) ( KZN); collected with affinis .

Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) bolaui (Michaelsen, 1891: 307)

Described from Bergedorf, Germany, being probably introduced from tropical or subtropical areas. Noted from various parts of the world, also from temperate zones when climatic conditions allow (greenhouses and various potted plants). Widely invaded the sewerage systems from Finland through Central Europe to Ireland ( Rota & Schmidt 2006; Csuzdi et al. 2008).

In RSA known from numerous, distantly located sites: Entabeni State Forest, and Soutpansberg ( Horn et al. 2007) in LP; Witbank ( MP); Eshowe area ( Dlamini 2002). Zicsi (1998) reported it from: Mapelane Nat. Res., Karkloof Nat. Res., Pietermaritzburg and its neighbourhood, and Oribi Gorge Nat. Res. ( KZN). Ljungström (1972) record from ‘Blinkpan coal mine’, which probably refers to the area of the mine in GP. Fourteen records in the NMSAD refer to cultivated land under experimental study: Baynesfield, grassland; Eshowe citrus field, kikuyu grass, sugar cane; Greytown, vermicomposting farm; Merrivale, Arden Farm, Cedara Agriculture College – grassland. Five records are from greens,parks and gardens in Pietermaritzburg.Ten records are from natural habitats: Skyline Nat. Res., Bluff Nat. Res., Ngome Forest, Mvutshini River Valley and Karkloof Nat. Res. ( KZN); Entabeni State Forest and Soutpansberg ( LP). Occurs abundantly. Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) krugeri Reinecke & Ackermann, 1977: 7

Described from Kruger National Park, LP, RSA. Type material location unknown. Species’ endemic position not certain. Species introduction or synonymy possible .

Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) modiglianii (Rosa, 1896: 510)

Described from Padang, Sumatra. Known from tropical and subtropical areas in West Africa, South America, India, Burma, Pakistan, and some Indonesian Islands. In RSA recorded by Zicsi (1998) from three distant sites, all in KZN: Durban, Stamford Hill; Pietermaritzburg, Scottsville; and Umfolozi Game Reserve. Occurs in small populations in litter and between plant roots.

Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) saliens (Beddard, 1893: 683)

Type locality undesignated, described from potting soil in Kew Gardens, UK. Origin probably in West Africa. Known from Africa, South and North America, India, Burma, Australia, and various oceanic islands. In RSA, Horn et al. (2007) found it in natural habitats in the northern part of the Drakensberg ( LP). In KZN, Ljungström (1972) repeated after Michaelsen (1913 b) from two sites in Pietermaritzburg (Scottsville and Chapel St.); Zicsi (1998) referred to variable habitats in the Durban area (Bluff, Stamford Hill), the Pietermaritzburg area (Ashburton, Baynesfield, Merrivale farm, Montrose, Scottsville, Town Bush Valley, Voortrekkers Graveyard), Karkloof Nat. Res., Mapelane Nat. Res., the Richmond area, Umlalazi Nat. Res., and Vernon Crookes Nat. Res.; Dlamini (2002) collected it in grasslands and numerous agricultural fields in the Eshowe area. Five new records in the NMSAD refer to Mkhabati Forest ( EC).