Michaelsen, 1900
Type genus Octochaetus Beddard, 1893
Number of genera and species unknown. In freshwater of NWE, two known species:
Dichogaster bolaui (Michaelsen, 1891)
Dichogaster saliens (Beddard, 1893)
Jump to the Text Key of this family Page 193: Family Octochaetidae.
Description
Similar to the lumbricid earthworms in having simple paired chaetae but differing from them in the position of clitellum and genital pores, including the separate prostatic pores in front and behind male pores, similar to that in several other "megascolecoid" families. These exotic, tropical earthworms are basically terrestrial and usually can not survive in open land in Europe when introduced. However, in recent decades populations of two octochaetid species have established themselves in sewer systems of several North European towns (Terhivuo, 1991; Erséus et al., 1994).
Burrowing in soil and sediment.
Distribution
Circumtropical, with occasional introductions into temperate regions.
Ecology
In soil.
Reproduction
Sexual only. Eggs laid in cocoons.
Literature
Beddard, 1893: 668; Michaelsen, 1900: 318-319; Sims and Gerard, 1985: 142-144; Terhivuo, 1991: 61-65; Erséus et al., 1994: 17-20.