Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 65

New species and records of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Queensland’s Scenic Rim

Dyne, G.R.

Published online: 16 December 2024

Citation

Dyne, G.R. (2024). New species and records of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Queensland's Scenic Rim. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 65: 124–145. https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.65.2024.2024-06

Accepted

22 November 2024

Published online

16 December 2024

Peer reviewed

Yes

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.65.2024.2024-06

Keywords

earthworms, Heteroporodrilus, Spenceriella, Digaster, endemism, species richness, taxonomy.

Abstract

The Scenic Rim of south-eastern Queensland, comprising the weathered remnants of Cenozoic volcanic activity, is an integral part of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. New earthworm species described here add to our knowledge of the invertebrate component of the rich floristic and faunistic biodiversity of the region. Given the low vagility of earthworms and the fragmented nature of the Scenic Rim, it is likely that many more species are present and yet to be documented.