Dendrobaena hortensis (Michaelsen, 1890)

Description – External – Body length 15 – 50 mm, diameter 2 – 3 mm, 50 – 120 segments. Color reddish. Head epilobous, first dorsal pore in 5/6. Glandular tumescence usually on 11 cd, 9 – 12 ab. Setae paired, setal arrangement after the clitellum: aa:ab:bc:cd:dd= 2.8:1:2.4:1.1:4.4. Clitellum usually on segments 27 – 33 saddle–shaped. Tubercles on 30 – ½ 32. Male pore on 15 between setae b–c, frequently protruding into neighboring segments. Nephridial pores irregularly alternate between setal lines b – d.

Internal –Dissepiments 7/8 – 9/10 thickened. Crop in 15–16, gizzards in 17–18. Two pairs of testes in 10, 11, enclosed in perioesophageal testis sacs. Three (rarely two) pairs of seminal vesicles in 9, 11, 12 (or 11, 12). Spermathecae two pairs in 9/10, 10/11, open near to the mid–dorsal line. Calciferous lamellae in 11 – 13, diverticulum lacking. Last pair of lateral hearts in 11 accompanied by a pair of small comissures in segment 12. Excretory system holonephridial. Nephridial bladders are of tube-shaped. Cross section of longitudinal muscle layer is of intermediate type showing almost fasciculated characters.

Distribution – Origin unknown, in central – and western –Europe it could mostly be found in composts and dung heaps. It has extensively been introduced all over Europe in connection with vermicomposting industry.