Pheretima buhiensis, Hong, Yong & James, Samuel W., 2009

Hong, Yong & James, Samuel W., 2009, New earthworms of the Pheretima urceolata species group (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southern Luzon, Philippines, Zootaxa 2059, pp. 33-45 : 41-43

Pheretima buhiensis sp. nov.

( Fig. 3 A–B)

Material. Holotype: Clitellate (NMA 004320): Philippines, Camarines Sur, Isarog summit (13° 39.81’N, 123° 21.89’E), 1987 m, soil, 15 May 2001, S. W. James coll. 2 paratypes: 1 clitellate (NMA 004325), 1 clitellate ( KUNHM 003012): Same data as for holotype. Other material: 2 clitellates, 1 semiclitellate, 5 aclitellates: Mt. Isarog Camp 3 Ridge (13° 39.79’N, 123° 21.79’E), 1360 m, mossy-montane transition, soil, 14 May 2001, S. W. James coll; 1 clitellate, 1 semi-clitellate, 1 aclitellate, same data as for holotype.

Etymology. The species is named for Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur Province.

Diagnosis. urceolata -group with dorsal setal gaps, closely-spaced genital pores, septum 8/9 present, and three bursal pads.

Description. Light-brown anterior dorsal pigment, post-clitellar segments pale except for mid-dorsal band. Dimensions 120–221 mm by 4.5–7.5 at segment X, 4.0–6.0 mm at XXX, 4.0–7.0 mm at clitellum, segments 117–119; body circular in cross-section. Setae numbering 31–50 at VII, 66–70 at XX; 0 between male pores, uniform size, distance closer ventrally, setal formula AA:AB:YZ:ZZ= 3:3.5:5:7 at XIII. Clitellum annular XIV–XVI; setae invisible externally.

First dorsal pores 12/13. One pair of spermathecal pores deep in 5/6 close together at 3rd setal lines, with protruding anterior inner lip bearing inwards-directed groove; 0.04–0.06 circumference apart, 0.9–1.0 mm between spermathecal pores; 0.5–0.6 mm circular openings of copulatory bursa paired in XVIII at 6th setal lines, ventrally placed, 0.07–0.12 circumference apart, distance between openings 1.5–1.6 mm. Genital markings lacking.

Septa 5/6–7/8 thick, 8/9 thin, 9/10 absent, 10/11–13/14 thin. Gizzard in VIII, intestine begins in XVI, large paired lymph glands from XVII, along dorsal vessel; intestinal caeca simple originating in XXVII, and extending anteriorly about to XXIV, big finger-shaped sac. Intestinal wall of XVI–XXVI with large blood supply, deeply pouched; typhlosole low fold 1/5th lumen diameter from XXVII. Hearts in XI–XIII; X absent, 36 intestinal wall blood vessels.

Ovaries and funnels in XIII, spermathecae one pair in VI, with nephridia on duct, spermathecae with large egg-shaped ampulla, smooth surface; duct muscle shorter than ampulla, diverticulum chamber finger-shaped iridescent, yellow color, with kinked stalk shorter than ampulla. Male sexual system holandric, testes and funnels in ventrally paired sacs in X–XI. Seminal vesicles two pairs in XI–XII well developed with large apical dorsal lobes, prostates in XVI–XVIII, with very stout muscular ducts, entering to posterior half of slightly bilobate, longitudinally ovate copulatory bursae without stalked glands; copulatory bursae pads one lateralanterior on floor; one anterior, one posterior on roof flanking penis. Penis a transverse ridge widening abruptly to form blunt almond-shaped body with apical pore; apex lateral.

Remarks. Pheretima buhiensis sp. nov., Pheretima gorasi sp. nov., and Pheretima bicolensis sp. nov. all have closely spaced genital pores, but the first two are larger-bodied and have septum 8/9 and the last is much smaller and lacks the septum. Comparing Pheretima buhiensis sp. nov. to Pheretima gorasi sp. nov., the former has a greater number of setae, has dorsal setal gaps rather than no setal gaps, and has 3 bursal pads rather than two. Pheretima buhiensis sp. nov. is included in James (2005) as Pheretima 061-1.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Pheretima buhiensis sp. nov. A: ventral view; B: spermatheca. Pheretima gorasi sp. nov. C: ventral view; D: spermatheca. Scale bars = 2.5 mm (ventral views), 2 mm (spermathecae).