External characteristics
Length: 50-120mm. Diameter: 2-4mm. 80-120 segments. Cylindrical body shape. Pigmentation violet-red and striped with antero-posterior and dorso-ventral gradient. Clitellum dark red-orange. Setae closely paired. Prostomium epilobous. Small dorsal pores, the first in (3/4) 4/5. Mucus coloured with a foul odor. Nephropores alternate between setal lines ab and cd. Male pore punctiforme in 1/2 15, in ab. Female pore well developed, punctiforme in 1/2 14, in ab. Spermathecae open in 9/10-10/11, in cd. Clitellum saddle-shaped in (25) 26-32 (33). Tubercles as distinct bands on (27) 28-30 (31).
Internal characteristics
First septum in 4/5. Moniliforme hearts in 7-11. Nephridia tubular. Excretory system holonephridial, nephridial bladders tubular shaped. Calciferous glands in 10-13 (14) without diverticula with bulging in 12. Crop in 15-16. Gizzard in 17-18. Typhlosole beginning gradually around 21. Seminal vesicles in 9, 10, 11, 12 and smaller in 9, 10 than in 11, 12. Spermathecae simple, intra-coelomic, in 9 and 10. Small ovisacs present.
Possible confusion
Species often confused with Eisenia andrei. |