Genus Plutellus Perrier

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“Chaetae eight per segment. Male pores paired or single; female pores mostly paired; spermathecal pores end at furrow 8/9 or on segment ix, a single pair or a series of two to five pairs, or five single pores. A gizzard in the region of segments v–vii. Purely meganephridial. Prostates tubular, with simple unbranched duct.” (Stephenson, 1930.)

A single species, P. aucklandicus Benham (1909), is recorded from the New Zealand region. The species was confirmed by Michaelsen (1923), who noted that short side ducts open into the prostatic duct and consequently the species would perhaps go into the genus Woodwardiella. However, Michaelsen decided that the species should remain in Plutellus, since the side ducts are small and the central duct is of more importance (cf. New Zealand species of Megascolides, discussed below).