English names of the megadrile earthworms (Oligochaeta) of KwaZulu-Natal

Adrian John Armstrong,Thembeka Clara Nxele

doi:10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.13226

Abstract

Certain groups of invertebrates are becoming mainstreamed in conservation activities in KwaZulu-Natal, especially taxa that have many narrow-range species endemic to the province. As a result, there may be a need to assign common (in this case English) names where these are unavailable. A list of scientific names and standardised common names is presented for earthworm species occurring in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, north-eastern South Africa.

Highlights

This paper is the second providing English names for invertebrate groups that have many species endemic to the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot in the eastern region of South Africa, in the middle of which lies most of the province of KwaZulu-Natal (Mittermeier et al 2005)
English name derived from their characteristic setae
The list of species of earthworms in KwaZulu-Natal gives each species a standardized English name that can be used for conservation planning and other conservation activities

Summary

Introduction

This paper is the second providing English names for invertebrate groups that have many species endemic to the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot in the eastern region of South Africa, in the middle of which lies most of the province of KwaZulu-Natal (Mittermeier et al 2005). The reasons for providing English names for these invertebrates, including earthworms, are given in Armstrong and Hamer (2015). Land transformation is probably the most important threat facing indigenous. Nxele / African Invertebrates 58(2): 11–20 (2017)

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Conclusion