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Enchytraeus

Enchytraeus Henle, 1837 (ref. ID; 1257, 3692)

Family Enchytraeidae (ref. ID; 1257, 1928, 5813, 5967, 5971, 6451, 6650, 7502)

ref. ID; 1923

Setae simple pointed and usually straight, spermathecae open between segments 4/5 or 3/4 and 4/5. Usually whitish in appearance and seldom more than 25 mm in length. Straight setae arranged in 4 bundles per segment. Esophagus gradually merging into intestine. (ref. ID; 1923)

ref. ID; 5967

Remarks

Of enchytraeid genera with marine species, Enchytraeus is characterized by compact testes and seminal vesicle, a pair of unbranched peptonephridia, and straight unnodulated setae. Live specimens are usually white or yellowish. Nielsen and Christensen (1959) gave the most recent revised diagnosis of the genus. Nielsen's and Christensen's original description of E. minutus (1961) was the first in which the presence of secondary pharyngeal glands in an Enchytraeus species was indicated. However, for E. buchholzi Vejdovsky, 1879 morphologically similar glands to those of E. minutus are referred to as ventral lobes (Nielsen and Christensen 1959, p.93). The limit at which the "degree of independence" of the ventral parts of the pharyngeal glands requires the designation of those parts as secondary glands is controversial. Nielsen and Christensen (1959) make no comment regarding the taxonomic significance at the generic level of penial bulb structure. Eisen (1904) proposed penial bulb structure as a chief distinguishing characteristic for subfamilies of Enchytraeidae. Enchytraeinae (Eisen, 1904) (including Enchytraeus and, the disbanded, Michaelsena Ude) had no "large compact penial bulb" and the vas deferens "opened independently of the penial papillae, though in their immediate vicinity" (Eisen 1904, p.11). Enchytraeus now encompasses species both with compact blubs penetrated by the vas deferens and with the "multilobed" bulbs described by Eisen. Of the species found in British Columbia, E. kincaidi Eisen and E. multiannulatus Altman, like the type species E. albidus, have bulbs of the latter type: E. rupus Coates has a small, compact bulb. Species possessing morphologically distinct penial bulb types may be, at least, subgenerically differentiable. (ref. ID; 5967)

Distribution

Cosmopolitan: species occur in marine, limnic, and terrestrial habitats. (ref. ID; 5967)

Type species

Enchytraeus albidus Henle, 1837 (ref. ID; 5967)
  1. Enchytraeus albidus Henle, 1837 (ref. ID; 1257, 3692, 5813, 5967) reported year (ref. ID; 1928) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 5893, 6451)
  2. Enchytraeus argenteus Michaelsen (ref. ID; 1928)
  3. Enchytraeus athecatus Wang, Xie & Lian, 1999 (ref. ID; 6650 original paper)
  4. Enchytraeus buchholzi Vejdovsky, 1878 (ref. ID; 6653) or 1879 (ref. ID; 3692) reported year? (ref. ID; 4491, 7502)
  5. Enchytraeus buchhozia Vejdovsky, 1879 (ref. ID; 1257)
  6. Enchytraeus bucholzii Vejdovsky (ref. ID; 1928)
  7. Enchytraeus christenseni christenseni Dozsa-Farkas, 1992 (ref. ID; 6653), cf. christenseni Dozsa-Farkas, 1992 (ref. ID; 6650)
  8. Enchytraeus citrinus Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)
  9. Enchytraeus crypticus Westheide & Graefe, 1992 (ref. ID; 6642, 6664)
  10. Enchytraeus doerjesi (ref. ID; 7968)
  11. Enchytraeus florentinus Bell (ref. ID; 6650)
  12. Enchytraeus globulata Bretscher (ref. ID; 1928)
  13. Enchytraeus issykkulensis Hrabe, 1935 (ref. ID; 3692)
  14. Enchytraeus kincaidi Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)
  15. Enchytraeus lacteus Nielsen & Christensen, 1961 (ref. ID; 6653)
  16. Enchytraeus lobatus Southern, 1909 (ref. ID; 1928 original paper, 7204)
    See; Marionina southerni (ref. ID; 7204)
  17. Enchytraeus metlakatlensis Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)
  18. Enchytraeus minutus Niel. & Chr. (ref. ID; 6609) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 5893, 5894)
  19. Enchytraeus multiannulatoides Altman, 1936 (ref. ID; 5967)
  20. Enchytraeus multiannulatus Altman, 1936 (ref. ID; 5967) reported year? (ref. ID; 5953)
  21. Enchytraeus nodosus Stephenson, 1911
    See; Marionina southerni (ref. ID; 7204)
  22. Enchytraeus parva Niel. & Christ. (ref. ID; 6913)
  23. Enchytraeus pellucidus Friend. (ref. ID; 1928)
  24. Enchytraeus przewalskii Hrabe, 1935 (ref. ID; 3692)
  25. Enchytraeus rupus Coates, 1980 (ref. ID; 5953 original paper, 5967)
  26. Enchytraeus sabulosus Southern (ref. ID; 1928)
  27. Enchytraeus saxicola Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)
  28. Enchytraeus turicensis Bretscher (ref. ID; 1928)
  29. Enchytraeus variatus Bouguenec & Giani, 1987 (ref. ID; 5901)
  30. Enchytraeus varithecatus Bouguenec & Giani (ref. ID; 6650)

Enchytraeus albidus Henle, 1837 (ref. ID; 1257, 3692, 5813, 5967) reported year? (ref. ID; 1928) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 5893, 6451)

Remarks

The species E. pellucidus described by Friend (tom. cit.) appears to be a variety of this species, only differing in several small points. The brain is rounded behind instead of concave; and the duct of the spermatheca has no glands. Southern have seen undoubted specimens of E. albidus showing these variations. The locality given, viz. old stable manure, is a special favourite of E. albidus. (ref. ID; 1928)

Habitats

This species found on the shore, in soil, manure, etc. (ref. ID; 1928)

Salt marshes, decaying seaweed, sewage beds, effluents, compost heaps (Lasserre 1971). (ref. ID; 5967)

Enchytraeus argenteus Michaelsen (ref. ID; 1928)

Descriptions

This species is of some economic importance, as it attacks the roots of some garden plants, such as asters, celery, etc. (ref. ID; 1928)

Enchytraeus athecatus Wang, Xie & Lian, 1999 (ref. ID; 6650 original paper)

Descriptions

Fixed length 4.7-4.8 mm (holotype: 4.7 mm); width 0.2-0.3 mm; segments 30. Head pore present in dorsal center of prostomium. Chaetae from II, mostly 2 per bundle; 1 additional chaeta (smaller or not) occasionally present ventrally from II to XIII (present in both holotype and paratype); straight, simple-pointed, without nodulus and with ental hook; 48-52 µm in length, 2-4 µm in width; chaetae absent in XII. Clitellum over XII-1/2XIII, with gland cells irregularly arranged; medioventral gland cells absent between male pores. Brain trapezoidal, posterior round, 96 µm in length, 36-48 µm in width. Pharyngeal plate in II-III well developed. Peptonephridia unbranched, extending to IV. A pair of small postpharyngeal bulbs attached to pharynx and situated dorsal to peptonephridia, with numerous nuclei. Spetal glands without dorsal connection, or with thin connection in first pair (holotype); no secondary glands. Gut dilatation gradual. No oesophageal or intestinal appendages. Dorsal vessel originating in clitellar region. Chloragogen cells from VI. Nephridia from 6/7, with 5 pairs in front of clitellum; anteseptal parts small and postseptal elongated; efferent ducts originating from terminal of postseptal parts. Coelomocytes oval and nucleate, 12-20 µm long and 9-16 µm wide (when whole-mounted). Detached chaetae few in coelom. Sperm funnels sub-spherical, length 72 µm, maximum width 62 µm; collars narrower than funnels, 10 µm in length, 34 µm in width. Vasa deferetia confined to XII, irregularly coiled. Penial bulbs, large and spherical, 56-64 µm in maximum length, 64-80 µm in width, opening ventrolaterally at mid XII. Seminal vesicles oval to round, one pair from posterior of X to anterior of XI (holotype) or in anterior to XI (paratype), 80-140 µm in length and 44-80 µm in maximum width. No egg sacs; 1-2 eggs present. Spermathecae absent. (ref. ID; 6650)

Remarks

The new species resembles Enchytraeus florentinus Bell and Enchytraeus varithecatus Bouguenec & Giani in the absence of spermathecae. However, the chaetae of E. florentinus are curved, the degree of curvature varying considerably in the same worm and its penial bulb is reduced to a small cluster of gland cells. The present species also differs for E. varithecatus by having one more pair of anteclitellar nephridia, regularly oval coelomocytes, larger penial bulb and a small number of mature eggs at a time. (ref. ID; 6650)

Etymology

Named athecatus for the absence of spermathecae. (ref. ID; 6650)

Material examined

  • Holotype: Whole mount, collected from Juzizhoutou in the middle of Xiangjiang River in Changsha, red, mossy soil attached to the bank, April 13, 1991 (T4). (ref. ID; 6650)
  • Paratype: One whole mounts, also from T4. (ref. ID; 6650)
  • Other localities: A4, T1, T2, T15, T16, T17, T18, T19. (ref. ID; 6650)

    Enchytraeus christenseni christenseni Dozsa-Farkas, 1992 (ref. ID; 6653), cf. christenseni Dozsa-Farkas, 1992 (ref. ID; 6650)

    Descriptions

    Length 2-3 mm (fixed), 5 mm (living); segments 27-29. Chaetae 2-4 per bundle. Epidermal gland cells scarce. Clitellum over XII-1/2XIII, with gland cells in transverse rows; medioventral gland cells absent in area between male pores. Brain slightly incised posteriorly. Peptonephridia unbranched, with irregular outline. No septal glands united dorsally. Dorsal vessel originating in XIII. Efferent ducts of nephridia originating from posterior of postseptal part. Coelomocytes abundant and oval. Sperm funnels cylindrical or pear-shaped, 2-3 times as long as wide, with conspicuous collar as wide as funnel. Penial bulbs large, 48-56 µm in length, 40-44 µm in width, ca. 20 µm in height. Seminal vesicles small, one pair in XI. Spermathecal ampullae spherical, ca. 22 µm in diameter; ectal ducts covered with glands, 1.5-2 times as long as ampullae, without glands at ectal pore. (ref. ID; 6650)

    Material examined

    Nine whole mounts and three live specimens from A3, A3, T13. (ref. ID; 6650)

    Enchytraeus citrinus Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)

    Remarks

    Peptonephridia, diagnostic for Enchytraeus species, may be absent in E. citrinus Eisen; however, without examination of new material fitting to description given by Eisen, it is premature to remove E. citrinus to Marionina as proposed by Nielsen and Christensen (1959). Enchytraeus citrinus is not consistent in characteristics including size and structure of the penial bulb with known intertidal species of Marionina. Eisen considered E. citrinus to be closely related to E. saxicola, which as shown in Fig.2 bears many morphological similarities to E. kincaidi and E. multiannulatus. Enchytraeus citrinus is generically indeterminate (Cernosvitov 1937). (ref. ID; 5967)

    Enchytraeus globulata Bretscher (ref. ID; 1928)

    Descriptions

    Specimens from the summit of Lough Salt Mountain in Co. Donegal agree with Bretscher's description (tom. cit.) in the number of setae, nephridia, corpuscles, reproductive organs, and absence of salivary glands. They also possess the peculiar pair of clear shining glands attached to the oesophagus in the 5th segment (Bretscher gives the 4th segment). These latter organs are probably of the nature of salivary glands. The differences from Bretscher's species are slight, and not of specific importance. The length is 2-4 mm. The brain is wider behind than in front, and the dorsal vessel rises about the 10th segment. These worms are very tenacious of life. They lived for a year in a small glass vessel containing a little of the peaty soil in which they were found, together with Achaeta bohemica and Marionina sphagnetorum. (ref. ID; 1928)

    Enchytraeus kincaidi Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)

    Revised description

    Brownish or yellow worms, 15 to 20 mm long with 44 to 62 segments. Setae straight with ental hook, equal in length within a bundle: preclitellar lateral (rarely 2, 3), preclitellar ventral (3); postclitellar lateral (2, 3 from XIX or XXIII, rarely 4), and postclitellar ventral (2, 3 from XIX or XXIII). Replacement setae, without ental hook, frequently present as subcuticular bundles of two or three setae (Tynen 1969, Fig.12). Brain small, concave posteriorly, length approximately 1.8 times width. Paired, unbranched peptonephridia extending posteriad from pharynx to posterior of IV, canal regular. Three pairs primary pharyngeal glands with ventral lobes, all broadly united dorsally; ventral lobes of most posterior pair massive. Chloragocytes small, sparse from VI, dense from XII. Lymphocytes nucleate, granular, spindle-shaped; length about one-half length of posterior seta. Dorsal blood vessel arising 14/15 to posterior XV, blood yellow in living and formalinized specimens. Nephridial anteseptale consisting of small funnel, terminal efferent duct long and narrow. Clitellum extending from XII to XIII, gland cells dense, not regular. Reproductive organs are laterally paired. Seminal vesicle well-developed, unlobed, extending anteriad into IX to VIII. Sprem funnel long, narrow, length, in fixed specimens 5-8 times width; collar regular, just less than funnel width. Vas deferens irregularly coiled in XII. Penial bulb not compact, one primary bulb and ten or twelve smaller, secondary bulbs. Spermatheca with small rosette at orifice and few, small glands along ectal half of duct. Ectal duct widening gradually to ampulla, length ectal equalling or just greater than length ampulla. Ampulla with single, large, dorsal diverticulum originating from ectal half. Ampulla connected to gut by short, distinct ental duct, both diverticulum and ampulla contain sperm. In very mature specimens diverticulum may pinch into several spherical parts. As many as 16 eggs in a mature individual. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Remarks

    Enchytraeus kincaidi has morphological similarities to all of E. albidus, E. multiannulatus, E. capitiatus von Bulow (amend. Nielsen and Christensen 1961) and three other of Eisen's 1904 species, E. saxicola, E. citrinus, and E. metlakatlensis. Enchytraeus albidus and E. multiannulatus are clearly distinguishable from each other and E. kincaidi by their spermathecal morphologies. Enchytraeus kincaidi resembles E. capitiatus in spermathecal morphology; however, the ampulla and diverticulum of E. kincaidi are very distinct, with sperm contained in both. The compact penial bulb of E. capitiatus serves to distinguish it not only from E. kincaidi but from all of the larger Enchytraeus species in Fig.2. The three species E. saxicola, E. citrinus, and E. metlakatlensis are incompletely described and the type material of each is lost or in a condition preventing observations of internal structures. Constriction of the ampullar diverticula of the spermathecae in very mature specimens is a condition common to E. albidus (Nielsen and Christensen 1959), E. saxicola (Eisen, 1904), and E. kincaidi and E. multiannulatus (Coates, 1979). (ref. ID; 5967)

    Habitat

    Upper intertidal on sand and shingle beaches, under decaying seaweeds. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Enchytraeus lobatus Southern, 1909 (ref. ID; 1928 original paper, 7204)

    See

    Marionina southerni (ref. ID; 7204)

    Descriptions

    These worms were found in moss and sea-weed over which water trickled, on the cliffs at Howth. The place is probably covered with salt-water at certain times. They were accompanied by a curious mixture of fresh-water and marine animals, including Nais eliguis, Macrostoma hystrix, Monotus albus, Lunbricillus evansi, etc. The worms are 4 mm long. To the naked eye they appear to be filled with bright white spots, like E. argenteus. Through without the silvery lustre of the latter species. This appearance is caused by the coelomic corpuscles, which, under the microscope, appear as dark bodies. These are very large, nucleated and coarsely granular, of an irregular flat, oval shape. The amount of dark pigment in the corpuscles is very variable, and some of them are quite transparent and colourless. There are two large setae of the usual shape in each bundle. The head-pore is situated between the prostomium and first segment. There are no dorsal pores. The clitellum occupies segments 12 and 13+1/2. It is composed of large, roughly rectangular granular cells in rows, with clear spaces between them. The cuticle bears scattered irregular glands. The brain is concave before and behind. It is nearly twice as broad behind as in front; and the length greatly exceeds the breadth. There is a large copulatory gland in the 15th segment. Salivary glands are quite absent. The nephridia have a large, almost square anteseptal. The flame is placed obliquely as in the genus Achaeta. The postseptal is of the same breadth, and about three times as long as the anteseptal, and it passes gradually into the narrow duct. In the posterior end of the worm, the nephridia are extremely long and narrow. The intestine is covered with large peritoneal cells, which are greenish-yellow in colour. There are three pairs of septal glands. The dorsal vessel is intra-clitellar in origin, rising in the 12th or 13th segment. The sperm-funnel is comparatively very large, about three times as long as broad. Its width is half that of the segment. It is covered with small shining cells, placed in regular rows alternating with dark stripes. The lip is constricted and conspicuous. The duct ends in a penial bulb, half as large as the funnel. The spermatheca has a very unusual structure for this genus. The ampulla is large, and distinctly divided into 5-8 lobes. These are filled with sperm, and connected by wide apertures with the central cavity. The duct is about three times as long as the ampulla, and is thickly covered with glands along its whole length. There is a rosette of large glands near the pore. No other species of the genus is known having a lobed spermatheca. (ref. ID; 1928)

    Enchytraeus metlakatlensis Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)

    Remarks

    The type material of this species was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco fire and earthquake (personal communication, Dustin Chivers, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (CASF)). Important details concerning the morphology of the semial vesicles and the maturity of the specimens obserbed by Eisen and not known. The nephridia with anteseptale consisting of the funnel only and the mutilobed penial bulb figured, Plate XVIII Fig.5 and Plate XIX Fig.1, respectively, by Eisen (1904) for E. metlakatlensis are not of the Marionina "type". Enchytraeus metlakatlensis is generically indeterminate and collection of new materials is required. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Enchytraeus multiannulatoides Altman, 1936 (ref. ID; 5967)

    Remarks

    The presence of paired, unbranched peptonephridia confirm the generic placement in Enchytraeus. Enchytraeus multiannulatoides can be distinguished from other Enchytraeus species by its spermathecal morphology and setal distribution. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Enchytraeus multiannulatus Altman, 1936 (ref. ID; 5967) reported year? (ref. ID; 5953)

    Revised description

    Robust specimens, about 15 mm long with 46 to 52 segments. Setae straight, with slight ental hook, equal in length within a bundle; preclitellar lateral (rarely 2, 3); preclitellar ventral (3); post clitellar lateral (2, 3 from XXII or XXIII); and postclitellar ventral (2-3). Bundles of two or three replacement setae with convergent ectal tips present. Brain truncate or convex posteriorly, length approximately 1.75 times width. Peptonephridia extending posteriad to 4/5, canal regular. Three pairs pharyngeal glands with ventral lobes, all united dorsally. Chloragocytes from VI, not dense. Lymphocytes abundant, nucleate, slightly granular, spindle shaped. Length lymphocytes approximately one-half posterior seta length. Dorsal vessel arising in XIV, blood yellow in fixed specimens. Anteseptale of nephridia including funnel only, postseptal elongate, ectal duct terminal. Clitellum extending over XII and XIII, gland cells dense, not regularly distributed. Reproductive organs are laterally paired. Seminal vesicle extending anteriad to IX, compact. Sperm funnel long, narrow, length 5-6 times width; collar equalling or just wider than funnel (in very mature worms), slightly convoluted. Long, thick-walled vas deferens coiled in XII. Penial bulb not compact, with numerous glandular sub-bulbs. Spermatheca with short, thick-walled ectal duct with dense glands along ectal part, no distinct rosette; canal distinct. Duct widening to thick-walled ampulla. Ampulla with two very large diverticula originating from ectal end, one directed dorsad, the other ventrad, rarely with third, small diverticulum (on one or both spermathecae). Ampulla connected to oesophagus at 5/6. As many as two eggs. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Remarks

    Enchytraeus multiannulatus differs from E. kincaidi and the other species in number of ampullar diverticula and in the arrangement of glands around the ectal duct of the spermatheca. Eisen (1904, p.63) distinguished E. kincaidi from E. alaskae, E. saxicola, and E. citrinus by the presence of two spermathecal diverticula per spermatheca in the latter three and from E. modestus and E. metlakatlensis, which he observed to be without diverticula. These differences were not borne out by examination of type specimens and the spermathecae Eisen has figured and described for these species (1904) seem, in most cases, to be of immature specimens with ill-defined spermathecal ampullae, no sperm in ampulla, and ampulla still unattached. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Habitat

    Upper intertidal under decaying algae or wood waste products. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Enchytraeus rupus Coates, 1980 (ref. ID; 5953 original paper, 5967)

    Descriptions

    Small worm, length (fixed specimen) approximately 4.5 mm; 27 segments. Setae with a slight ental hook. Distribution of setae: preclitellar dorsal (1-3), preclitellar ventral (2-3); postclitellar dorsal (1-2), and postclitellar ventral (2-3, rarely 0). Many setae "floating" in coelom of XXIV, with the same shape as the localized setae. Three pairs of primary septal glands at 4/5, 5/6, and 6/7. Only the posterior pair united dorsally, all with ventral lobes. Peptonephridia externally regular, extend posteriad, almost to IV/V; canal narrow. Chloragocytes colourless in fixed specimen, with refractile inclusions; cells fairly large, densely packed long gut. Lymphocytes abundant anteriorly, nucleate, elliptical with elongate apices. Length of lymphocytes one-quarter to one-third length of the posterior setae. Dorsal blood vessel arises in posterior of XIV (vessel is most enlarged in XIII but still separated from gut in XIV), blood faintly yellowish in fixed specimen. Nephridia relatively large, efferent duct terminal; present from 7/8, absent in XI to XII then present in all more posterior segments. Clitellum extends XII-XIII, gland cells large, approximately rectangular, in irregular rows. Testes small and compact. Seminal vesicles also small, filling only a very small part of XI. One large egg present in XII. Following structures of reproductive system are laterally paired. Sperm funnel short and pear shaped, with a length equal one-seventh body width. Sperm collar not prominent, with width equal width of funnel. Penial bulb small and compact. Vas deferens irregularly coiled in XII. Spermathecal ampulla without diverticula, flame-shaped, with thick walls; connected with oesophagus at 5/6 by a relatively long duct, canal distinct. Shorter ectal duct surrounded by small dense glands, but without a distinct rosette. (ref. ID; 5953)

    Remarks

    The diagnostic characteristics for species of the genus Enchytraeus, particularly the detailed morphology of the spermathecae, are clearly visible in the single specimen collected. The complex of diagnostic characteristics present requires the description of the specimen as a new species. The taxonomic significance, if any, and function of the nonlocalized setae observed in the coelom of the single specimens of E. rupus are not known. Nonlocalized "supplementary" setae have also been recorded in some species of Grania (Enchytraeidae). In Grania maricola Southern, 1913 supplementary setae have been variously described as "lying in the inner layer of the body wall but not piercing the epidermis" (Southern 1913, p.9), "scattered in the epidermis" (Kennedy 1966, p.400), or "in the coelom or attached to the inner layer of the body wall" (Erseus and Lasserre 1976, p.122). No reliable functional interpretations have been made although the presence or absence of these setae is considered taxonomically significant for Grania (Erseus and Lasserre, 1976). (ref. ID; 5953)

    Etymology

    Specific name derived from Prince Rupert where the species was collected. (ref. ID; 5953)

    Habitat

    Under rotting wood fibre mat, on very silty sediments; near a worm, organically enriched, pulp mill effluent; site subject only to low salinites; with Enchytraeus multiannulatus Altman. (ref. ID; 5953)

    Type locality

    Prince Rupert, British Columbia, near the Port Edward pulp mill, 54 degrees 13.90'N, 130 degrees 17.20'W; in silt with a high percentage of organic matter; at 3.6 m above chart datum (approximate L.W.); collected by K.A. Coates, September 1, 1976. (ref. ID; 5953)

    Examined materials

  • Holotype: NMCIC1979-1583, a whole-mounted fully mature specimen in excellent condition. A single specimen, no paratypes. (ref. ID; 5953)

    Enchytraeus saxicola Eisen, 1904 (ref. ID; 5967)

    Remarks

    Like the E. citrinus syntype materials, the syntype specimens of E. saxicola Eisen, USNM catalogue item 5150/32921, have become dried out while in storage. Until further studies of material from the type location are made, E. saxicola is indeterminate. (ref. ID; 5967)

    Enchytraeus turicensis Bretscher (ref. ID; 1928)

    Descriptions

    E. minimus Bretsher, 1899 and E. minimus Southern, 1907 have had a chequered career. In the Tierreich, Michaelsen suggested that E. minimus was identical with E. argenteus, and E. turicensis with E. bucholzii Bretscher, in 1902, admitted the probability of the latter identity, but again denied it in 1903. Southern have found three species of Enchytraeus commonly in Ireland. Two of them undoubtedly answer to the description of E. bucholzii and E. argenteus. The third is quite distinct from either to these, and agrees equally well with the numerous descriptions given by Bretscher of E. turicensis and E. minimus. A close examination of these description fails to show any specific distinctions, and Southern have accordingly regarded them as synonyms, E. turicensis having priority. (ref. ID; 1928)