Enchytraeus buchholzi Vejdovský, 1879

Torii, Takaaki, Akagi, Tomohiro, Uchino, Toru & Kobayashi, Tohru, 2018, New descriptions of enchytraeid species (Clitellata: Enchytraeidae) from Korea, Journal of Species Research 7 (1), pp. 80-91 : 81

1. Enchytraeus buchholzi Vejdovský, 1879 sensu lato

( Fig. 1 )

Enchytraeus buchholzi Vejdovský, 1879 ; Schmelz and Collado, 2010: 88, Figs 32H, 33J, K; Dózsa-Farkas, Felföldi and Hong 2015: 173 , Table 1, for complete synonym assign: Rota (1994).

New Korean name: Gasi-ae-jireongi (ḦṄOiNjffiḍ)

Material examined. Korea, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, Chonbuk National University, College of Agriculture

& Life Science , soil and litter layers in mountain forest near experimental farm (35°50′59.0″N, 127°07′56.4″E, 55 m asl.), 3 April 2014 and 19 May 2014, Y. Hong coll. ; Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, Chonbuk National University (35°50′50.2″N, 127°08′01.8″E, 60 m asl.), 3 April 2014, Y. Hong coll. ; Jeollabuk-do, Buan-gun, Dongjin-myeon, soil and leaves in Mulberry tree cultivation area of agronomical fields (35°46′07.3″N, 126°43′16.1″E, 16 m asl.), 3 April 2014, Y. Hong coll. ; Jeollabuk-do, Buan-gun, Dongjin-myeon , soil in a cabbage plot (field) of agronomical fields (35°46′05.6″N, 126°43′15.6″E, 18 m. asl.), 3 April 2014, Y. Hong coll. ; Cheungcheongbuk-do, Yeongdong-gun, Mt. Cheontae , soil and litter layers of a forest (36°06′57.8″N, 128°00′30.4″E, 201 m. asl.), 19 May 2014, Y. Hong coll. ; Gyeungsannbuk-do, Gimcheon-si, Mt. Hwangaksan , Jikjisa temple, soil and litter layers of a forest (36°06′00.6″N, 127°58′55.4″E, 304 m. asl.), 19 May 2014, Y. Hong coll. ; Jeollabuk-do, Muju-gun, Sulchon-myeon , soil and litter layers of a mixed forest (35°59′28.7″N, 127°50′46.8″E, 544 m. asl.), 19 May 2014, Y. Hong coll.

Diagnosis. Smaller worm, 5-9 mm long with 24-34 segments. Chetae straight with ental hook, formula of 2,3- 2,3: 3-3. Hyalin and granular cells more or less in dense transversal rows ( Fig. 1A ), Clitellum saddle-shaped ( Fig. 1B ). Four pairs of preclitellar nephridia from 6/7. Oesophageal appendage ( Fig. 1C ) with a pair of unbranched tubes and with much coiled canal, the common opening dorsally into oesophagus behind pharyngeal pad. Coelomocytes mostly without refractile granule ( Fig. 1D ). Sperm funnels ( Fig. 1 E-G) and male copulatory organs ( Fig. 1H ) small. Ectal ducts of spermathecae shorter than ampullae, glands on distal part of ectal ducts ( Fig. 1I ). Ental ducts mostly long, open separately into oesophagus.

Remarks. The genus Enchytraeus Vejdovský, 1879 is currently composed of 49 valid species ( Schmelz and Collado, 2012). E. buchholzi is one of the largest dominant species in the soil with a cosmopolitan distribution. This species and other smaller Enchytraeus species are cultured by aquarists as fish food. They are ideal for most rainbow fishes (adults and larger fries).

Habitat and distribution. Terrestrial, except strongly acidic soils. Widespread, cosmopolitan ( Schmelz and Collado, 2010).

Deposition. NIBRIV0000544610.

Figures

Fig. 1. Micrographs of Enchytraeus buchholzi. A. Clitellar glands lateral view (male copulations organ marked with arrow); B. Clitellar glands ventral view (male copulations organ marked with arrows); C. Oesophageal appendage (marked with arrow); D. Coelomocytes; E. Sperm funnel (marked with arrow, e. submature oocytes); F, G. Sperm funnels (marked with arrows); H. Everted bursa lateral view (marked with arrow); I. Spermatheca lateral view (marked with arrow).All micrograph in vivo. Scale bars: 50μm.