Aporodrilus mortenseni (Michaelsen, 1924)
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Synonym/s: Megascolex mortenseni Michaelsen, 1924; Anisochaeta mortenseni (Michaelsen, 1924); Notoscolex mortenseni (Michaelsen, 1924); Megascolides mortenseni (Michaelsen, 1924)
Conservation Status
Missing (Blakemore, 2017)
Last (and only) record: 1915 [type specimen] (Blakemore, 2017)
IUCN RedList status: Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct)
Distribution
Palmerston North, North Island, New Zealand
Biology & Ecology
Hypodigm
Media
References
Original description:
Michaelsen, W. (1924). Papers from Dr. Th. Mortensen’s Pacific Expedition 1914–16. XVII. Oligochäten von Neuseeland und den Auckland - Campbell - Inseln, Nebst einigen anderen Pacifischen Formen. Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra Dansk Naturhistorisk Forening i København. 75: 197-240.
Other references:
Blakemore, Robert J. (2010). New zeal for new New Zealand earthworms (Acanthodrilidae, Octochaetidae, Megascolecidae, Lumbricidae: Oligochaeta: Annelida). VermEcology, Japan, 55 pp., CD.
Blakemore, Robert J. (2011). Further records of non-cryptic New Zealand earthworms. ZooKeys 160: 23-46. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.160.2354
Blakemore, Robert J. (2014). Miscellaneous earthworm types in the Natural History Museum, London (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Megadrilacea: Eudrilidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Moniligastridae, Octochaetidae). Opusc. Zool. Budapest 45(2): 119-155.
Blakemore, Robert J. (2016). Cosmopolitan Earthworms – an Eco-Taxonomic Guide to the Peregrine Species of the World. VermEcology, Yokohama. [relevant reference?]
Blakemore, Robert J. (2017). Aporodrilus mortenseni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T103186194A103193405. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T103186194A103193405.en. Accessed on 13 May 2025.
Buckley, T. R., Boyer, S., Bartlam, S., Hitchmough, R., Rolfe, J. and Stringer, I. (2015). Conservation status of New Zealand earthworms, 2014. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 10. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 10 pp.
Lee, Kenneth Ernest. (1952). Studies on the Earthworm Fauna of New Zealand. III. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 80: 23-45.
Lee, Kenneth Ernest. (1959). The earthworm fauna of New Zealand. New Zealand Department of Scientific & Industrial Research Bulletin. 130: 1-486.
https://extinctanimals.proboards.com/thread/22702/aporodrilus-mortenseni