Australian Pheretimoid Earthworms (Megascolecidae:Oligochaeta): a Synopsis With the Description of a New Genus and Five New Genera.

Abstract

Examination of new earthworm material from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, revealed the presence of five new species (one with two subspecies) of the Pheretima group of genera, family Megascolecidae. A new genus, Begemius, is erected to contain the new taxa (B. gavini, jamiesoni jamiesoni, j. hornensis, lockerbiensis, raveni and yorkensis), also the species cyclops, monoperus and queenslandicus which were previously accommodated in the genus Amynthas. A key is provided to the eight species in the genus and the Australian members are described. Other new pheretimoid material from Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales consists of allochthonous species only, representing new locality records and including four species, Amynthas gracilis, A. morrisi, Metaphire bahli and Pithemera bicincta, new to the Australian list. These species and the other eight allochthonous species of the Pheretima group reported from Australia, Amynthas corticis, A. minimus, A. rodericensis, Metaphire californica, M. houletti, Pheretima darnleiensis, Polypheretima elongata and P. taprobanae are reviewed, each is diagnosed and a key is provided for their identification.