Polypheretima spiridonovi (Thai, 1996)

(Fig. 3)

Pheretima spiridonovi Thai, 1996: 3, Fig. 2 C.

Polypheretima spiridonovi — Nakamura 1999: 7; Blakemore 2007: 93.

Type material. Holotype: 1C (SORC-HV.226) Khanh Hoa Province, Duc Mu pass, 9 January 1989, coll. Spiridonov S.E. Paratype: 1C (SORC-PV.226), same data as sample SORC-HV.226 (Thai 1996).

Description. Body cylindrical. Colour light brown. Prostomium epilobous. Clitellum XIV–XVI. First dorsal pore in 12/13. Setae numerous, regularly distributed on segments, 113 in IV, 136 in XIII, 120 in XXV, aa=1.5–2ab, zz=2–5zy. Male porophore on the bottom of a cone-like depression, about 0.25 body circumference apart. No genital markings in spermathecal and male regions. Numerous spermathecal pores in paired batteries, 6 pairs in 4/ 5, 6 pairs in 6/7 and 7 pairs and a single battery in 5/6. Ampulla heart-shaped, diverticula simple, attaching to duct. Holandric. Testes sacs ventral. Lymph glands absent. Ovaries large on septum 12/13. Intestine beginning at XV, without caeca. Last hearts in XII. Typhlosole simple, lamelliform, T=0.22. Septa 8/9/10 absent, 5/6/7/8 thickened. Pharyngeal micronephridia in 6/7. (Data from Thai 1996: 3–4.)

Records from Vietnam. Khanh Hoa Province (Duc Mu pass).

Distribution. Only known from Vietnam.

Remarks. The species is fairly similar to Polypheretima polytheca (Beddard, 1900) but differs in having spermathecal pores in 4/5–6/7, testes sacs in ventral position, absence of a copulatory pouch, and absence of genital markings. Types were rechecked for this study.