Four new species of genus Amynthas (Oligochaeta,Megascolecidae) from Hainan Island,China

Four new earthworm species of the genus Amynthas are described from Hainan Island, China. They are Amynthas endophilus sp. nov., Amynthas fluviatilis sp. nov., Amynthas fucatus sp. nov. and Amynthas apapillatus sp. nov. Amynthas apapillatus sp. nov. has three spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9 while the other three new species have two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6–6/7. Their anatomical and morphological characteristics are compared to similar species from Hainan Island, China mainland and South-East Asia. Furthermore, COI and 16S gene sequences of these new species are submitted to NCBI. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:33B61DE5-BE64-47E9-B77C-D6234D25803B     

Four new earthworms of the genus Amynthas (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Mount Emei,Sichuan Province,China

Four new species were collected from Mt. Emei, Sichuan Province, China. They are Amynthas leshanensis sp. nov., Amynthas gilvus sp. nov., Amynthas retortus sp. nov. and Amynthas orbicularis sp. nov. The first three species could be assigned to the Amynthas sieboldi group and the last species could be assigned to the Amynthas aeruginosus group according to the definition of Sims and Easton. A. leshanensis sp. nov. has the male pore porophore surrounded by a large irregular-shaped pad which extends from 17/18–½ XIX, and the intestinal caeca are complex. A. gilvus sp. nov. has each male pore on a slightly raised elliptical glandular flat-top pad, with a pointed extension lateral to each porophore. Amynthas retortus sp. nov. has a pair of small, round post-setal genital papillae medial to male porophores on XVII, spermathecal seminal chambers are twisted into zigzags and accessory glands are present on spermathecae and prostate gland areas. A. orbicularis sp. nov. has the spermathecal pores near dorso-lateral, complex intestinal caeca complex, three accessory glands with long ducts near the male pores, and the spermathecal seminal chambers are twisted into zigzags. The barcode data (partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) of each species has been submitted to the National Center of Biotechnology Information GenBank.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5B82315E-5CF8-4048-87C4-B702021464B5     

Five new earthworm species of the genera Amynthas and Metaphire (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from Matsu,Taiwan

This paper describes five new species of earthworms belonging to the genera Amynthas and Metaphire (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from Matsu, Taiwan. They are Amynthas bimontis sp. nov., Amynthas hsiyinensis sp. nov., Amynthas dongyinensis sp. nov., Amynthas dongjuensis sp. nov. and Metaphire matsuensis sp. nov. Amynthas bimontis is a small, quadrithecate earthworm with two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7 and two small genital papillae lateral to each male porophore. Amynthas hsiyinensis is quadrithecate with two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8/9, has numerous small genital papillae and is morphologically similar to Amynthas polyglandularis (Tsai, 1964) from northern Taiwan. Amynthas dongyinensis is sexthecate with three pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9 and has simple male pore structure. Amynthas dongjuensis is octothecate with or without a genital papilla medial to each male pore. Metaphire matsuensis is sexthecate with three pairs of dorsolateral spermathecal pores in 5/6–7/8, and has each male pore surrounded by 0–10 small papillae on top of a cone-shaped everted copulatory chamber. DNA barcodes (the 5’-end sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene) of the five new species are also reported.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2EBE3507-917B-4074-B73B-CF8DC88966B9     

Two new earthworms of the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from Mt Jiri,Korea

Two new species of the genus Amynthas are described from Mt Jiri (Korea): Amynthas baikmudongensis sp. nov., and Amynthas cheonghakdongensis sp. nov. The species A. baikmudongensis sp. nov. has two pairs of spermathecal pores in intersegments 5/6/7; large circular-shaped raised pads extending from 17/18, 18/19 with transverse grooves extending from approximately the centres of the pads towards the presetal half of the pad. The others species, A. cheonghakdongensis sp. nov., has two pairs of spermathecal pores in intersegments 6/7/8; and circular male porophores extending from 17/18 to 18/19.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A3E018E9-A520-4841-A1C9-E27870F24E88     

Four new species of Amynthas earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from the Central Mountain Range of southern Taiwan

Four new species of terrestrial earthworms belonging to the genus Amynthas (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) are described from the Central Mountain Range in southern Taiwan. Two octothecate species, Amynthas pavimentus sp. nov. and Amynthas biorbis sp. nov., were found at elevations of 2000–2700 m and 412–1000 m, respectively, on both east and west slopes. Amynthas pavimentus has patched genital papillae between setal line and intersegmental furrow in VIII–IX and XVII–XX. Amynthas biorbis has a pair of large papillae adjacent to male porophores in XVIII. The other two species are the octothecate Amynthas libratus sp. nov., found at 1000 m, and the sexthecate Amynthas hongyehensis sp. nov., found at 950–1000 m, on the eastern slope. Amynthas libratus is related to A. pavimentus but has horizontal rows of papillae along setal lines or intersegmental furrows in VII–IX and XVII–XX. Amynthas hongyehensis has two pairs of large, presetal papillae medial to male porophores in XVIII and XIX.     

Three new species of earthworms belonging to the genera Amynthas and Metaphire (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Yunnan,China

ABSTRACT

Herein, three new species are described, all from Yunnan Province, China: Amynthas hiatus sp. nov., Amynthas recavus sp. nov. and Metaphire daliensis sp. nov. Amynthas hiatus sp. nov. belongs to the Amynthas aeruginosus-group, A. recavus sp. nov. belongs to the Amynthas corticis-group and M. daliensis sp. nov. belongs to Metaphire insulana-group. Amynthas hiatus sp. nov. and M. daliensis sp. nov. have two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8-8/9, A. recavus sp. nov. has four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6-8/9. The male pores of A. hiatus sp. nov. are 1/3 circumference apart ventrally and each on top of a large, raised pulvinate pad; the male pores of A. recavus sp. nov. are 2/5 circumference apart ventrally and each on top of a raised, elliptic, collapse-topped porophore; the male pores of M. daliensis sp. nov. are 2/5 circumference apart ventrally and in the oval copulatory chambers. In this paper, the anatomical and morphological characters of these three species are described. We also sequenced COI and 12S gene fragments in order to provide an analysis of K2P distances and a neighbour-joining tree.     

New Amynthas species (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from south and central Hainan Island,China and estimates of evolutionary divergence among some corticis-group species

This paper describes four new species of earthworms from Hainan Island, China: Amynthas obsoletus sp. nov., Amynthas dorsualis sp. nov., Amynthas mirifius sp. nov. and Amynthas pulvinus sp. nov. Amynthas obsoletus is an athecate earthworm, has greyish or brownish pigment on the dorsum, and has two genital papillae beside each male pore, one medial and one anterior, three genital papillae arranged transversely in VIII, prostates in XVII–XX. Amynthas dorsualis, Amynthas mirifius and Amynthas pulvinus are all octothecate earthworms, and key to the corticis-group, but the spermathecal pores are located on the dorsum in Amynthas dorsualis. Amynthas dorsualis has dark grey and dark brown pigment on the dorsum, an annular clitellum in 1/10XIV–7/10XVI, and lacks genital markings. Amynthas mirifius and Amynthas pulvinus both have four pairs of spermathecal pores on the ventrum. Amynthas mirifius has four peanut-in-shell-shaped genital markings, which are rectangular with enlarged rounded ends, between the two male pores, while Amynthas pulvinus has a large glandular rounded rectangle-shaped genital marking on the ventral side of 17/18–18/19. DNA barcodes are provided for the last two new species collected in 2011, and have been submitted to NCBI to enable molecular species identification. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:27AD7191-5438-4F10-B177-5FCCA893A2EB     

Four new species of terrestrial earthworms belonging to the genus Amynthas (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from Taiwan with discussion on speculative synonyms and species delimitation in oligochaete taxonomy

This paper describes four new species of earthworms, Amynthas shinanmontis sp. nov., Amynthas chilanensis sp. nov., Amynthas bilineatus sp. nov., and Amynthas cruxus sp. nov. from Taiwan. Amynthas shinanmontis is sexthecate and parthenogenetic with individuals with various levels of degeneration of spermathecae and male reproductive organs. It occurs at elevations of 1700–2700 m in the Central Mountain Range in southern Taiwan. Amynthas bilineatus and A. chilanensis are athecate and also parthenogenetic. They occur, respectively, at elevations of 1000 m in the central region and 1325 m in the northeastern region of Taiwan. Amynthas cruxus is octothecate, amphimictic, and occurs at elevations of 900–1700 m in southern Taiwan. This paper also discusses confusion and dilemma caused by uncertain, speculative synonyms and parthenogenetic morphs in species delimitation in oligochaete taxonomy, and recommends the use of absolute synonyms and phylogenetic species concept.     

New earthworm species of the genus Pheretima (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from Mountain Province,Philippines

Six new species of the genus Pheretima are described from Mt. Amuyao and Mt. Lamagan, near Barlig, Mountain Province, the Philippines: Pheretima tanudanensis sp. nov., Pheretima amuyaoensis sp. nov., Pheretima salcedoi sp. nov., Pheretima lamaganensis sp. nov., Pheretima julkai sp. nov., and Pheretima barligensis sp. nov. Pheretima tanudanensis sp. nov. has spermathecal pores in 6/7, 0.18–0.22 circumference ventrally apart, copulatory bursae openings 0.21–0.22 circumference apart, intestinal origin in XVI, and non-muscular spermathecal ducts. Pheretima amuyaoensis sp. nov. and Pheretima salcedoi sp. nov. have spermathecal pores in 5/6–6/7, a condition not previously known in the genus. Pheretima amuyaoensis sp. nov. has ventral spermathecal pores 0.23–0.24 circumference apart, copulatory bursae openings 0.23 circumference apart, and the intestinal origin in XVI. Pheretima salcedoi sp. nov. has ventral spermathecal pores 0.21–0.29 circumference apart, copulatory bursae openings 0.18–0.20 circumference apart, and the intestinal origin in XV. Pheretima lamaganensis sp. nov. and Pheretima julkai sp. nov. belong to the dubia group in Sims and Easton with three pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9. Pheretima lamaganensis sp. nov. is a small-bodied worm with more setae in VII than in XX, two pairs of spermathecae in VII, one pair of spermathecae in VIII, ventral spermathecal pores 0.27–0.28 circumference apart and copulatory bursae openings 0.21–0.22 circumference apart. Pheretima julkai sp. nov. has two pairs of spermathecae in VII, one pair of spermathecae in VIII, ventral spermathecal pores 0.20–0.23 circumference apart and copulatory bursae openings 0.18–0.20 circumference apart, typhlosole lacking. One new earthworm, Pheretima barligensis sp. nov. belongs to the darnleiensis group with four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6–8/9, and has ventral spermathecal pores 0.16–0.22 circumference apart, copulatory bursae openings 0.19–0.22 circumference apart, an intestinal origin in XVI, and septa 8/9–9/10 present.     

Seven new species of Amynthas (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) and new earthworm records from Taiwan

Earthworm specimens collected in southern Taiwan consisted of seven new species of Amynthas and several previously known species, mostly widely distributed peregrines. The new species are A. nanrenensis of the octothecal A. corticis species group, A. monsoonus and A. huangi of the sexthecal A. aelianus species group, and four proandric octothecal species: A. chaishanensis, A. hengchunensis, A. kaopingensis and A. ailiaoensis. Amynthas chaishanensis has dorsal intrasegmental spermathecal pores, but the other three proandric species have dorsal, lateral or ventral intersegmental spermathecal pores, respectively. The proandric species are united by several features, including the enclosure of segment xi in a sac, as in A. formosae (also proandric), octothecal with spermathecae in vi–ix, spermathecal diverticula stalks generally kinked and often enclosed in membrane, and prostatic ducts divided polytomously into numerous small ductlets, which may be grouped into bundles of two to five. In A. ailiaoensis the prostatic duct trunk contains up to seven separate lumens in the ental half, surrounded by the circular muscle of the duct, while in A. chaishanensis the prostatic duct trunk contains about 40 small lumens. Of the previously known species in the collection, Pontodrilus litoralis and Metaphire houlleti are first reported from Taiwan. Additional locations for A. incongruus and A. robustus are given, and in the latter case the material appears to be the usual male‐sterile morph. Other species found are Pontoscolex corethrurus, Amynthas corticis, A. gracilis, Metaphire californica, and Polypheretima elongata.     

Two new earthworm species from Belize (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae)

In 2001 the Soil Biodiversity Group of the Natural History Museum, London collected Oligochaeta material from bromeliad epiphytes and litter samples in Belize. This material remained unidentified until being passed to the Annelida curator in 2010. Elaborating this material resulted in discovery of two earthworm species new to science Eutrigaster (Graffia) georgei sp. nov. and Kaxdrilus sherbutti sp. nov. belonging to the family Acanthodrilidae (Benhamiinae) and Acanthodrilidae (Acanthodrilinae) respectively. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6BEB9E5A-7D54-4E48-913D-EF76D7DACC16     

Three new species of the genus Otacilia (Araneae: Corinnidae) from Hainan Island,China

Three new species of the genus Otacilia collected from Hainan Island, China, are diagnosed, described and illustrated: Otacilia jianfengling sp. nov., Otacilia bawangling sp. nov. and Otacilia limushan sp. nov.     

A new earthworm genus Nouraguesia gen. nov. from French Guiana with description of two new species (Oligochaeta,Glossoscolecidae)

Nouraguesia gen. nov., consisting of three species, is described from Eastern Amazonia. Species belonging to this genus are middle-sized earthworms inhabiting, based on our experience, decomposing tree logs and space filled with detritus between leaf-axils and trunk (e.g. in some palm species). The new genus is morphologically similar to the genus Andiorrhinus, but differs from it by the presence of numerous caeca encircling the intestine in segment 27. The three species belonging to the newly established genus are known from state Amapa in Brazil (N. amaparis (Righi, 1971)); and French Guiana (N. parare sp. nov., N. souadae sp. nov.).     

A new genus Globulidrilus and three new enchytraeid species (Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae) from Seoraksan National Park (Korea)

From the Seoraksan National Park, Korea, a new enchytraeid genus, Globulidrilus gen. nov., is defined and three new species, Globulidrilus helgei sp. nov., Fridericia seoraksani sp. nov. and Mesenchytraeus longiductus sp. nov., are described. Globulidrilus also includes Marionina riparia Bretscher, 1899 Bretscher, K. 1899. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Oligochaeten-Fauna der schweiz. Rev Suisse Zool., 3: 369–426.  [Google Scholar] augm. ?ernosvitov 1928, a globally distributed species with a complicated taxonomic history. Pending a revision of Marionina riparia sensu latu (auct.), we retain the species name riparia for a variant of common occurrence in Europe.     

New Polypheretima and Pithemera (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) species from the Mt. Malindang Range,Mindanao Island,Philippines

We describe four new pheretimoid earthworm species, one in Polypheretima and three in Pithemera, from Mt. Malindang, Misamis Occidental Province, Mindanao Island, Philippines, and provide diagrams of external morphology and internal anatomy. Polypheretima mindanaoensis sp. nov. belongs to the Po. elongata species group, characterised by having genital markings on xix and successive segments and pairs of spermathecal batteries in vi and/or vii. It differs from the other members of the Po. elongata species group in having no copulatory bursae. This species shows individual variation in the number of spermathecae in each battery. Individuals that lack spermathecae are presumed to reproduce parthenogenetically. Pithemera malindangensis sp. nov. and Pi. duminagati sp. nov. belong to the Pi. bicincta species group, characterised by having the first spermathecal pores in 4/5. These two species differ in size and in the distance between male pores. Pithemera donvictorianoi sp. nov. belongs to the Pi. pacifica species group, characterised by having the first spermathecal pores in 5/6. This is the only member of this species group so far reported from the Philippines, and this is the only Philippine Pithemera species whose clitellum covers two rather than two and a half segments. Current studies show that worldwide, the Philippines has the highest diversity for Pithemera, with 13 species, followed by Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, each area with six species. Indonesia has the highest diversity for Polypheretima, with 18 species, followed by Vietnam with 13 species, and then Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, each area with eight species. These findings indicate a high degree of endemicity within these areas, suggesting that many species remain to be detected in the Philippines.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2198709C-F5E1-4A0D-A185-CA506D206171     

A new genus and new species (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) from south-east Xizang,China

In 2007, a 3-year survey was started in northeastern Italy to assess the influence of agricultural management on parasitoid composition and parasitism rates of parasitoids attacking larvae and pupae of Syrphidae (Diptera). Two types of management were considered – intensive (including wheat and maize monoculture with very low or null vegetation diversity) and extensive (with different types of habitats, characterized by a higher vegetation complexity). In habitats simplified by intensive agriculture, and particularly in maize fields, parasitism rates of syrphid larvae were higher than recorded in more diversified habitats. A substantial difference in the composition of the parasitoid complex was also found. In extensive and wheat sites, Diplazontinae (Braconidae), highly specialized to Syrphidae, were the dominant parasitoids, whereas in maize fields Pachyneuron (Pteromalidae) species, known as generalists, accounted for more than 80% of total parasitoids. In the habitats where Pachyneuron spp. were dominant, parasitism rates were very high. Conversely, in habitats where Diplazontinae were more abundant, the parasitism rates were very low. The higher rate of parasitism of syrphid larvae and pupae recorded in intensive monocultures could have a large impact on the development and control of aphid populations in such crops.     

A new gigantic earthworm of the genus Metaphire Sims and Easton (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from Taiwan with reference to evolutional trends in body sizes and segment numbers of the Pheretima genus-group

This paper describes a new species of gigantic terrestrial earthworm Metaphire taiwanensis sp. nov. from western Taiwan. It reached the maximum length of 860 mm for a living clitellate and 637 mm after preservation. It is an autochthonous species found in Mt Beidongyan and the Meifeng area of the Central Mountain Range at elevations of 1800–2100 m. M. taiwanensis is octothecate and protandric, characters shared by Metaphire stephensoni (Michaelsen) of Indochina, and Metaphire bununa Tsai, Tsai and Liaw and Metaphire paiwanna Tsai, Tsai and Liaw of Taiwan. These four species are combined as a new species-group called the stephensoni-group within the genus Metaphire Sims and Easton. It is closely related to the congeneric ignobilis species-group, which is also octothecate but holandric. It differs from holandric and quadrithecate Metaphire magna (Chen) of Hainan Island, in which the length also reaches 700 mm. Specific variation and evolutionary trends in sizes and segment numbers of the Pheretima genus-group are discussed.