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Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 2:00 PM
460
Lumbriculidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) of the southeastern united states – studies of a taxonomically-difficult group produce remarkable new discoveries
Steven V. Fend, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS465, Menlo Park, CA 94025 and David R. Lenat, Lenat Consulting Services, 3607 Corbin St, Raleigh, NC 27612.
Recent collections by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) indicated that "Lumbriculidae" (identified to family) are often the dominant oligochaetes in NC surface waters. Prior lists of Lumbriculidae from southeastern USA had included only 12 species in 7 genera, several of which were rare groundwater worms. However, a reexamination of lumbriculids from NCDWQ collections and other southeastern sources differentiated 15 genera and about 25 species, many of which were undescribed. Many of the new taxa were found in rarely-sampled habitats, such as seeps, springs and swamps. Known groundwater species were not encountered in these surface water collections, so future study of subterranean habitats may increase these numbers considerably. Collections from adjacent states also would likely produce additional taxa. New species of some “western” genera (Phagodrilus, Kincaidiana, and Rhynchelmis) were collected in North Carolina, along with a species of the “European” genus Cookidrilus. The genus Eclipidrilus appears diverse, with several morphotypes similar to Eclipidrilus fontanus (known only from Pennsylvania), and 2 obviously new species. Documenting the alpha taxonomy of the Southeast will contribute significantly to the phylogeny and biogeography of the family. Lumbriculid collection sites generally have high water quality, suggesting the usefulness of identifying Lumbriculidae for biomonitoring.
Web Page: oligochaete, Lumbriculidae, taxonomy