A systematic reassessment of the genus Microchaetus Rapp, 1849: its amended definition, reinstatement of Geogenia Kinberg, 1867, and erection of a new genus Kazimierzus (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae)

Abstract

The endemic South African genus Microchaetus Rapp, 1849, considered to be composite, is restudied. Three groups of species are recognised and separated into three genera. Species braunsi , decipiens , klopperi , papillatus , rappi , stuckenbergi and vernoni are left in Microchaetus , with microchaetus as the type species. Genus Geogenia Kinberg, 1867 is reinstated for ambita , benhami , caementerii , distasmosa , gripha , herberti , idechorita , madida , mkuzi , montana , namaensis , parva , pentheri , pondoana , quera , ritae , rivus , tegwana , tuberosus and zaloumisi , with the type species natalensis . For alipentus , circulatus , crousi , davidi , franciscus , guntheri , hamerae , imitatus , ljungstroemi , metandrus , obscurus , occidualis , occiduus, pauli , pearsonianus , pentus , peringuei , rosai , senarius , sirgeli and sophieae , occurring in western and south-western parts of South Africa, and characterised by distinct features, the new genus Kazimierzus gen. n. is established, with hamerae designated as the type species. Descriptions of the familial characters, corresponding with those originally given by Michaelsen (1900, 1918, 1928), augmented by Gates (1959), Brinkhurst and Jamieson (1971), and Plisko (1996 a , 2006), and emended on the basis of the present study, are provided. A key is presented for all currently recognised genera of Microchaetidae. Keys to the species of Microchaetus ( s . str .), Geogenia and Kazimierzus gen. n. are given. Checklists of reclassified species, their synonymy, and notes on their occurrence, are provided. The distribution of each genus dealt with in this study is mapped. To cite this paper: Plisko, J. D. 2006. A systematic reassessment of the genus Microchaetus Rapp, 1849: its amended definition, reinstatement of Geogenia Kinberg, 1867, and erection of a new genus Kazimierzus (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae). African Invertebrates 47 : 31-56.