Pheretima salcedoi, Hong & James, 2011

Hong, Yong & James, Samuel W., 2011, New earthworm species of the genus Pheretima (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from Mountain Province, Philippines, Journal of Natural History 45 (29 - 30), pp. 1769-1788 : 1775-1777

Pheretima salcedoi sp. nov.

( Figure 3 )

Type material

Holotype: Clitellate (NMA 04375): Philippines, Mountain province, Mt. Amuyao , just below summit at N. slope (17 ◦ 00.81 ′ N, 121 ◦ 07.69 ′ E), 2720 m a.s.l., mossy forest, in soil, 6 April 2001, S. W. James coll. Paratypes: 1 clitellate (NMA 04381): Same data as for holotype .

Other material

Same data as for holotype, 1 semi-clitellate, 1 aclitellate.

Etymology

The species is named after Dr Salcedo, who made contributions to knowledge of the flora of Mt. Amuyao.

Diagnosis

Two pairs of ventral spermathecal pores in 5/6, 6/7, 0.21–0.29 circumference apart, copulatory bursae openings 0.18–0.20 circumference apart, distance between openings 2.7–3.0 mm, copulatory bursae openings flanked posterior, anterior by circular pads, penial body transverse wedge-shaped with higher lateral end; intestinal origin in XV.

Description

Medium brown dorsal pigment, light ventral pigment I–IX, remaining ventral surface unpigmented, pigment absent around setae, but anterior setae sparse dorsally so no stripes; setal ring pale stripes present in post-clitellar segments. Dimensions 77–81 mm by 3.5–4.3 at segment X, 4.3–4.7 mm at XXX, 3.6–4.1 mm at clitellum, segments 83–84; body circular in cross-section. Setae more crowded ventrally, numbering 27–28 at VII, 33–35 at XX, 6–7 between male pores, setal formula AA:AB:YZ:ZZ = 3:3:5:8 at XIII. Clitellum annular XIV-XVI, setae invisible externally.

First dorsal pores 12/13. Two pairs of ventral spermathecal pores in furrow 5/6, 6/7 at 6th–7th setal lines, 0.21–0.29 circumference apart; distance between spermathecal pores 2.8–3.2 mm. Female pore single in XIV; 0.4–0.5 mm openings of copulatory bursa paired in XVIII at 6th setal lines, 0.18–0.20 circumference apart ventrally; distance between openings 2.7–3.0 mm. Genital markings lacking.

Septa 5/6–6/7 thinly muscular, 7/8 thinner, 8/9 very thin, 9/10 absent, 10/11– 13/14 very thin. Gizzard in VIII, intestine begins in XV, small paired lymph glands from XXVII along dorsal vessel; intestinal caeca simple originating in XXVII, and extending anteriorly about to XXIII, finger-shaped sac; typhlosole 1 / 4 intestinal diameter from XXIV. Hearts in X–XIII oesophageal; IX lateral very small, VIII to gizzard, VII to ventral vessel.

Ovaries and funnels in XIII, spermathecae two pairs in VI, VII with nephridia on duct, spermathecal ampulla globular; stout muscular duct shorter than ampulla, iridescent diverticulum chamber ovate, with stalk as long as ampulla, diverticula pass through to next segments posterior. Male sexual system holandric, testes and funnels in ventrally paired sacs in X, XI. Seminal vesicles two pairs in XI, XII with small dorsal lobes set in shallow clefts, prostates in XVI–XIX, with stout muscular ducts, entering central medial face of copulatory bursae without coelomic glands; copulatory bursae openings flanked posterior, anterior by circular pads, penial body transverse wedge-shaped with higher lateral end; seminal groove along summit ridge of wedge. Glandular tissue associated with circular pads covered by copulatory bursa muscle wall.

Remarks

Distinctions from Pheretima amuyaoensis sp. nov. are detailed above under the previous species.

Figures

Figure 3. Pheretima salcedoi sp. nov.: (A) ventral view; (B) spermathecae. Scale bars = 3 mm (A), 2 mm (B).