Dear Group:
Glowing or biolumenescence in earthworms is not that uncommon.
It has been recorded in the southeastern United States in native and
exotic species as well as many other continents.
I suspect that in southern Africa what Jonathan saw was
Microscolex phosphoreus (Duges, 1837) of the family Acanthodrilidae.
Jonathan Leeming should contact Dr. Adrian Reinecke at
Stellenbosch University (Dept. of Zoology) who should be able to help
him.
Dr. John W. Reynolds
Oligochaetology Laboratory
16 Tracey's Hill Road, R.R. # 5
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada K9V 4R5
fax (705) 878-8781
e-mail: jreynold at flemingc.on.ca