Some data on the reproductive biology of Hormogaster elisae Alvarez, 1977 (Oligochaeta, Hormogastridae)

The development and seasonality of the spermatogenesis and copulation of th e Spanish endemic earthworm Hormogaster elisae has been studied. 178 specim ens were collected during 1993 at El Molar (Madrid). The seminal vesicles, male funnels and spermathecae were analysed, The spermatogenesis seemed to stop during summer months, but H. elisae preserved the spermatozoa in the s eminal funnels and spermathecae through the year, so it could copulate any time, whenever conditions allowed. A correlation between both the body and seminal vesicles weights was found, increasing in autumn and decreasing in summer. H. elisae has two pairs of spermathecae variables in both shape and size, but the sperm storage was mainly in the second pair of spermathecae, A correlation between both the worm weight and the width of spermathecae w as observed, following a similar seasonal pattern to seminal vesicles.