Pontoscolex

Pontoscolex is a genus of earthworms in the family Glossoscolecidae,[1][2] or alternatively, in the family Rhinodrilidae.[3]

Pontoscolex
Pontoscolex corethrurus
Scientific classification
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Pontoscolex

Schmarda, 1861
Species

See text

General characteristics

The species Pontoscolex corethrurus has a circumtropical distribution,[4] although it originates in the Neotropics, probably in the Guiana Plateau.[2] It reproduces parthenogenetically, and under experimental conditions can complete its life cycle in about one year. Adults measure 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) in length.[2]

Diagnostic characteristics

There are eight setae per segment, arranged in regular rows, at least in the anterior part of the animal, whereas in the posterior part the arrangement varies (regular, more or less irregular, or in quincunx). No pigment is usually present. Male pores and tuberculae pubertatis are in the clitellar region. The gizzard is in the segment VI. Three pairs of calciferous glands of tubular-dichotomous (panicled) structure are in the segments VII–IX. Dorsal, ventral, supra- and subesophageal and subneural vessels are present. Lateral hearts are located in the segments VII–IX and intestinal hearts in the segments X and XI. The holonephridia have terminal sphincter. They are metandric and metagynous. The seminal vesicles are usually long and band-like, piercing a number of septa. Spermathecae are simple.[5]

Species

  • Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1856)
  • Pontoscolex cuasi (Righi, 1984)
  • Pontoscolex cynthiae (Borges & Moreno, 1990)
  • Pontoscolex franzi (Zicsi & Csuzdi, 1999)
  • Pontoscolex hingstoni (Stephenson, 1931)
  • Pontoscolex hystrix (Perrier, 1872)
  • Pontoscolex kuneguara (Righi, 1989)
  • Pontoscolex lilljeborgi (Eisen, 1896)
  • Pontoscolex maracaensis (Righi, 1984)
  • Pontoscolex melissae (Borges & Moreno, 1990)
  • Pontoscolex nogueirai (Righi, 1984)
  • Pontoscolex pydanieli (Righi, 1988)
  • Pontoscolex spiralis (Borges & Moreno, 1990)
  • Pontoscolex vairemensis (Righi, 1985)
  • Pontoscolex vandersleeni (Michaelsen, 1933)

References

  1. "Pontoscolex Schmarda, 1861". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  2. Buch, Andressa Cristhy; et al. (2011). "Life cycle of Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) in tropical artificial soil". Pedobiologia. 54: S19–S25. doi:10.1016/j.pedobi.2011.07.007.
  3. "Pontoscolex Schmarda, 1861". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  4. Marichal, Raphael; et al. (2010). "Invasion of Pontoscolex corethrurus (Glossoscolecidae, Oligochaeta) in landscapes of the Amazonian deforestation arc". Applied Soil Ecology. 46 (3): 443–449. doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2010.09.001.
  5. Righi, G. (1984). "Pontoscolex (Oligochaeta, Glossoscolecidae), a new evaluation". Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment. 19 (3): 159–177. doi:10.1080/01650528409360653.
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