Geogenia distasmosa (Plisko, 2003)

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 : 248

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5733/afin.050.0202
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7921898
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AE177A-7434-FFA4-FE59-8AF97BB6FEF4
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Geogenia distasmosa (Plisko, 2003)
status

Treatment

Fig. 11 View Figs 11, 12

Microchaetus distasmosus: Plisko 2003: 282 View in CoL .

Geogenia distasmosa: Plisko 2006: 44 .

Type locality: South Africa: KZN, Mapelane Nature Reserve (28 ° 54'S: 31 ° 55'E) GoogleMaps . Known from the type locality and a slightly distanced site in the Umfolozi Game Reserve (28 ° 22'S: 31 ° 52'E) GoogleMaps .

Material examined: 8 paratypes, mature specimens NMSA /Olig.00626a, collected on the bank of the White Mfolozi River .

As the holotype was slightly injured after extended dissection during its description, eight paratypes have been examined. External and internal characters are in accord with the species description. Spermathecae small, one to two per segment, in 8 and 9. Ampullae small, variable in size; elongated, ducts short, embedded in body wall, close to septa 8/9 and 9/10. Spermathecal pores in 8/9 and 9/10, externally difficult to locate. No iridescent was observed in the spermathecae, although all examined individuals have clitella. Setae in four regular rows.

The location of the anterior spermathecae and their pores in pre-testicular segments is unique among holandric species, and in Geogenia is known only in namaensis , distasmosa and quaera . Possibly these two last species are related, differing only in the shape and location of the clitellum and tubercula pubertatis. The distribution of this species might be controlled by the water of the White Mfolozi River.

G. distasmosa differs from species accredited to the lesothoensis species-group in being holandric, having the setae arranged in four regular rows and not demonstrating discrepancy in their arrangement.Also its geographical occurrence is distant.The location of spermathecae and their pores in pre-testicular segments possibly may be accounted for by variation or divergence occurring between holandric species.