Gemascolex stirlingi
| Gemascolex stirlingi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Clade: | Sedentaria |
| Class: | Clitellata |
| Order: | Opisthopora |
| Family: | Megascolecidae |
| Genus: | Gemascolex |
| Species: | G. stirlingi |
| Binomial name | |
| Gemascolex stirlingi (Fletcher, 1877) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Gemascolex stirlingi, commonly known as the giant Mount Lofty earthworm, is a species of annelid native to the state of South Australia. It was identified in 1887, and is found throughout the Mount Lofty ranges and Adelaide Hills areas.[2]
In July 2026, after a particularly wet winter across the state, it was reported that there had been numerous sightings of very large earthworms across the state, measuring 70 cm to 2 metres. One scientist has hypothesised that that there could be a new species that lives in the drier parts of South Australia, but there were not as yet any published studies about it.[2]
References
- ↑ "Species Gemascolex stirlingi (Fletcher, 1887)". Australian Faunal Directory. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- 1 2 Kelly, Isabella (18 July 2026). "Giant earthworms found in SA 'almost certainly' a new species". ABC News. Retrieved 19 July 2026.