Gemascolex

Gemascolex
Gemascolex stirlingi at the Black Hill Conservation Park
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Clade:	Pleistoannelida
Clade:	Sedentaria
Class:	Clitellata
Order:	Opisthopora
Family:	Megascolecidae
Genus:	Gemascolex Edmonds & Jamieson, 1973
Type species
Gemascolex newmani Edmonds & Jamieson, 1973
Species
15, see text

Gemascolex is a genus of annelid worms in the family Megascolecidae.

Taxonomy and history

The genus Gemascolex and its type species Gemascolex newmani were described by Stanley Joe Edmonds and Barrie G. M. Jamieson in 1973. ^{[1] [2]} The genus appears to be closely related to Anisochaeta and Spenceriella . ^{[3] : 107, 157}

Distribution and habitat

Gemascolex species are distributed primarily in South Australia, but some are also known from New South Wales and Victoria. ^{[3] : 107}

Species

Gemascolex contains the following species: ^[4]

• Gemascolex bursatus Jamieson, 1974
• Gemascolex crateroides (Boardman, 1943)
• Gemascolex disparatus Dyne, 2000
• Gemascolex dorsalis (Fletcher, 1887)
• Gemascolex flindersi Dyne, 2000
• Gemascolex gelasinus Dyne, 2000
• Gemascolex gracilis (Fletcher, 1886)
• Gemascolex lateralis (Spencer, 1892)
• Gemascolex mirabilis Jamieson, 1974
• Gemascolex newmani Edmonds & Jamieson, 1973
• Gemascolex octothecatus Jamieson, 1974
• Gemascolex similis Jamieson, 1974
• Gemascolex stirlingi (Fletcher, 1887)
• Gemascolex terangiensis (Spencer, 1900)
• Gemascolex walkeri Jamieson, 1974

References

1. "Genus Gemascolex Edmonds & Jamieson, 1973". Australian Faunal Directory . Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water . Retrieved 17 February 2025.
2. Edmonds, S. J.; Jamieson, B. G. M. (1973). "A new genus and species of earthworm (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from South Australia". Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, Incorporated. 97 (1): 23–27. ISSN   0372-1426 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
3. Jamieson, Barrie G. M. (2000). Native Earthworms of Australia (Megascolecidae, Megascolecinae) (CD-ROM). New Hampshire, USA: Science Publishers. ISBN   1578081610.
4. "Names List for Gemascolex Edmonds & Jamieson, 1973". Australian Faunal Directory . Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water . Retrieved 17 February 2025.