E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

This native species is considered an ancient species (Marshall and Fender 2005). McKey-Fender et al. (1994) provide a description for the species (only five specimens ever collected); John Reynolds has summarized this description as follows: “Length ## mm, diameter ## mm, segment number 103, 113, 133, 133, 134, prostomium epilobic, 1st dorsal pore 5/6. Clitellum, saddle-shaped xxv-xxxvi. Tubercula pubertatis absent.n Setae, closely paired, AB ≈ CD, AA ≈ BC ≈ ½ DD. Male pores on xv, female pores on xiv. Gizzard in xvii-xviii. Typhlosole begins very gradually as a pad on the roof of the intestine in xxii-xxiii, becoming bifurcate in cross section at about xxvii. Calciferous gland very well developed in xi-xii, rudimentary calciferous sacs transverse in x. Septa 12/13 to 14/15 stronger than those posterior. Seminal vesicles postseptal in xi and xii only. Nephoropores easily visible on anterior soma at anterior edge of segments, in the first few segments between setal lines C and D, thereafter irregularly alternating between two strict levels, one just above B and one just above D. Colour, reddish, pigment present in circular muscle in extreme anterior and posterior soma, especially dorsal, in life appearing pale reddish and transparent.”

Source: Marshall, Valin G. and William M. Fender. 2007. Native and Introduced Earthworms (Oligochaeta) of British Columbia. Megadrilogica 11 (4): 29-52.