Sims, R. W.; Easton, E. G. (1972). A numerical revision of the earthworm genus Pheretima auct.(Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) with the recognition of new genera and an appendix on the earthworms collected by the Royal Society North Borneo Expedition. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 4(3): 169-268.

279785

10.1111/j.1095-8312.1972.tb00694.x [view]

Sims, R. W.; Easton, E. G.

1972

4(3): 169-268.

Publication

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1095-8312.1972.tb00694.x

Available for editors  

The widely distributed earthworm genus Pheretima auct. containing 746 nominal species and subspecies was last reviewed in 1900 when 167 species were listed. In an attempt to increase our understanding of this group of earthworms numerical methods were used to investigate the affinities of 114 species assigned to the genus with the view to dividing it into smaller, more manageable units. A similarity matrix was obtained from a consideration of 56 characters, it was examined by the method of principal co-ordinates analysis firstly to which a minimum spanning tree was applied, then secondly by using a five nearest neighbours’ procedure. From the arrangement of the species, assemblages were detected which permitted the recognition of eight genera (one being divided into subgenera): Archipheretima, pithemera gen. nov., Ephemitra gen. nov., Metapheretima, Planapheretimas Amynthas, Metaphire nom. nov., Pheretima (Pheretfma) and Pheretima (Parapheretima). Following research into the literature, most known species were assigned to genera and to nominal speciesgroups within the genera, only a few being listed as species incertae sedis. Keys are provided to the genera and to the species and nominal speciesgroups. Four Appendices are included, one contains details of a small collection of earthworms from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, made by the Royal Society Expedition to North Borneo, with the descriptions of a new species and a subspecies. Another concerns the identity of Meraphire fordi (Michaelsen, 1934).

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