Dendrodrilus Omodeo, 1956

Plisko, Jadwiga D. & Nxele, Thembeka C., 2015, An annotated key separating foreign earthworm species from the indigenous South African taxa (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae, Eudrilidae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Microchaetidae, Ocnerodrilidae and Tritogeniidae), African Invertebrates 56 (3), pp. 663-663 : 693

Genus Dendrodrilus Omodeo, 1956

One species, Dendrodrilus rubidus ( Savigny, 1826) , with subspecies D. rubidus rubidus ( Savigny, 1826) and D. rubidus subrubicundus ( Eisen, 1873) .

Notes: The validity of the subspecies is in question ( Csuzdi & Zicsi 2003). Both reproduce parthenogenetically in variable morphs and have been described under numerous synonyms. Palearctic origin, distributed occasionally or intentionally by humans. Frequently reported from numerous localities in RSA (Plisko 2010) under various synonyms. Epigeic, occur under bark of fallen trees, in the litter and between the roots of plants in grasslands and various plantations. Common in gardens and occur abundantly in natural and cultivated environments, from various altitudes. Present separation into two subspecies is based on documented data by Csuzdi and Zicsi (2003),

and Blakemore (2010), and Genbank may be searched for molecular data.

1 Clitellum on some of the segments 25, 26–31, 32. Tubercula pubertatis elongated strips on 29–30................................................ D. rubidus rubidus ( Savigny, 1826) Description: Body length 26–50 mm. Spermathecal pores in 9/10 and 10/11 or absent. Seminal vesicles in three segments 9, 11, 12, or in 11, 12; usually first pair located in 9 much smaller that the others.

Notes: In RSA is more frequent than subrubicunda. Occurs abundantly in natural and cultivated fields, at sea level and at high altitudes in the Drakensberg mountains. Recorded from KZN, FS, GP, EC, WC. Epigeic. Found together with various species of indigenous microchaetids, tritogeniids and acanthodrilids, and also with other introduced lumbricids and megascolecids (Plisko 2010). A great consumer of organic matter ( Csuzdi & Zicsi 2003), it may compete for food with other invertebrates and possibly its distribution and developing populations within a country should be controlled, as indicated by Plisko (2010).

– Clitellum on some of the segments 26, 27–31, 32. Tubercula pubertatis present, on 28–30, as compact bands, or reduced to slender strips............................................. ................................................................. D. rubidus subrubicundus ( Eisen, 1873) Description: Body length 30–65. Spermathecal pores in 9/10 and 10/11. Seminal vesicles in three segments, 9, 11, 12.

Notes: In KZN less frequent than rubidus rubidus although the need for control of its growing populations is emphasised.