Andiorrhinus (Meridrilus) torondoy, Feijoo & Brown & James, 2017

Feijoo, Alexander, Brown, George G. & James, Samuel W., 2017, New species of Andiorrhinus Cognetti, 1908 (Oligochaeta: Rhinodrilidae) from Venezuela and Brazil, Zootaxa 4363 (1), pp. 55-78 : 68-69

Andiorrhinus (Meridrilus) torondoy sp. nov.

( Fig. 6A–D )

Material examined. Holotype: Clitellate specimen ( MZUSP 01477 ) . Paratype: 1 fragmented adult (MZUSP 01478). Locality: Venezuela, state of Mérida, Mucubají Valley (08°47'54"N, 70°49'34"W). Altitude: 3600 m a.s.l. Collection date: 13 May 1995. Collector : Pedro Durant. Other material: 2 adults and 1 juvenile ( MZUSP 01429 ) . Venezuela, state of Mérida, Mount La Bandera, located near the Nucleo Universitario " La Hechicera ”, Universidad de Los Andes , Central Ravine. Altitude: 1950 m a.s.l. Collection date: 0 9 June 1996. Collector: Amelia de Pascal.

Etymology. The new species was named in honor of the indigenous community Torondoy that inhabits lands of the state of Mérida, Venezuela.

Description. Epiendogeic species, with blue-violet dorsum and clitellum and brown-colored ventral region, which correspond to the respective color code numbers 538 and 703 ( Seguy 1936), and cylindrical body. Holotype: The length of the preserved holotype is 390 mm, with a diameter of 7.7 mm in the preclitellar region, 10.7 mm in the clitellum, and 7.3 mm in the postclitellar region. Number of segments: 219. Paratype: 521 mm long and widths of 8.3 mm (segment 9), 7.2 mm (segment 19), and 6.9 mm (segment 30). Number of segments: 207. The first segment is invaginated and the long, tentacular-shaped prostomium measures 3.2 mm, ending in a lobe ( Fig. 6C ). Closely paired setae ab are visible as of segment 5 and setae cd as of segment 10. The common setae measure between 1.11 aand 1.15 mm, presenting two curvatures and several ornamentations on the upper end ( Fig. 6A ). In the holotype the distance between the setae in segment 40 is aa:ab:bc:cd:dd = 5.0:1.0:6.7:0.5:15.9 and, in the posterior region in segment 140, is 4.8:1.0:6.0:1.0:17.0. The setae of segments 7–9 and 17–23 are transformed as genital setae, contained in long whitish follicles that are longer than the body cavity diameter and at the bases of which are six genital setal glandular masses that lie in segments 18–23. Spermathecal setae measure 2.12 mm and present similar ornamentation to that of genital setae, but smaller. Genital setae measure from 3.33 to 5.05 mm, presenting strong curvature with alternating, U-shaped ornamentation as on the apical 1/ 3 in the same position and direction along the contour ( Fig. 6B ).

The saddle-shaped clitellum measures 22.4 mm and lies in segments 16 and 17–24 (=8). The tubercula pubertatis are located between segments 20–½23 (=3.5) ( Fig. 6C ). The male pores are located in segment 19 and female pores in segment 16, close to the row of ab setae. The nephropores are aligned with setae c and d. Three pairs of spermathecal pores were observed in intersegments 6/7–8/9, aligned with setae cd.

Internal anatomy. The anterior septa of segments 6/7–9/10 are fine and hardly visible, becoming slightly thicker in segment 10/11 and then thicker, nested, and funnel-shaped in segments 12/13–17/18. The round muscular gizzard and thick musculature are present in the cavity of segment 6. There are three pairs of long calciferous glands with internal lamellar structure as well as a dorsal appendage, shaped like a garlic clove, in segments 7–9. Inside each gland, there are 28 parallel lamellae. The esophagus-intestine transition begins in segment 16 and the S-shaped typhlosole begins in segment 24, occupying almost the entire intestinal lumen. There are no intestinal caeca. Intestinal content consisted predominantly of abundant cellulose and small stones. Three pairs of lateral hearts are located in segments 7–9, and two pairs of intestinal hearts are present in segments 12 and 13. Both supraesophageal and subesophageal vessels are present. There is one pair of holonephridia per segment.

Two pairs of very large testis sacs occupy the space of segments 10–11, and two pairs of seminal vesicles are present in segments 11 and 12. The two pairs of deferent ducts open towards the male pore in segment 19. One pair of ovaries is present in the cavity of segment 13; the female pore is located in segment 16. Three pairs of spermathecae, measuring 1.5 x 1.2 mm, 4.5 x 3.0 mm and 5.2 x 2.8 mm (length x width), are present in segments 7, 8, and 9, respectively ( Fig. 6D ). There are no diverticula. The sperm duct is short and the ampulla very large and pear-shaped in the spermathecae of segments 7/8 and 8/9. Half of each gland is occupied by seminal chambers with abundant spermatozoa.

Remarks. Andiorrhinus (Meridrilus) torondoy sp. nov. is closely related to A. (Turedrilus) brunneus (Michaelsen, 1892) and A. (T.) marcuzzi Omodeo, 1955 due to the position of the clitellum and the presence of three pairs of spermathecae in 6/7–8/9, but is distinct in the position of the two pairs of intestinal hearts. Within the subgenus, the new species is closely related to A. (M.) boconius Righi, 1989 and A. (M.) rimeda Righi & Araujo, 2000 , but it is separated from these by the extension of the clitellum and tubercula pubertatis ( Table 2), shape of the spermathecae, shape and size of the normal setae, and ornamentation of the genital setae.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Andiorrhinus (Meridrilus) torondoy sp. nov., holotype. A. Common seta, segment 37. B. Genital seta b, segment 8. C. External, ventral view of clitellum. D. spermathecae of 7, 8, 9.