Amynthas masatakae (Beddard, 1892)

Blakemore, Robert J. & Lee, Seunghan, 2013, Survey of Busan Oligochaeta earthworms supported by DNA barcodes, Journal of Species Research 2 (2), pp. 127-144 : 132-133

7. Amynthas masatakae (Beddard, 1892)

( Fig. 4A ).

Material. NIBR- IV0000261289 (DNA sample H3; Fig. 4A ) from Jungang Park, 26 th April. Natural History Museum, London types inspected for confirmation (see Blakemore, 2012d).

Description. Length 180 mm. Clitellum 14-16. Spermathecal pores 7/8/9. Male pores on 18, superficial. GMs typically present, paired near spermathecal and male pores. Spermathecae with elongated, paprika-shaped diverticular bulbs on long stalks. Prostates (always?) reduced to muscular duct. Glands associated with GMs, where present. Caeca ventrally incised.

Remarks. DNA data in the appendix helps to confirm this identity based on the redescriptions of A. masatakae by Blakemore (2012d: 134; 2013a: 29). Kobayashi (1937: 337, 1938: 140) observed complete prostates, in some of his Korean specimens, although such specimens should now be compared to Metaphire ryunome as next describ- ed. Whereas this latter taxon has male pores slightly elevated (resembling those in the type-species of Metaphire Sims and Easton, 1972 - see Blakemore, 2012b) and thus strictly non-superficial qualifying for membership of genus Metaphire , such a condition has not been confirm- ed in amphimixic forms of A. masatakae although accidentally indicated in Blakemore (2012a: 31) where it says “ M. masatakae ”, again possibly alluding to specimens resembling M. ryunome .

Note that although Kobayashi (1938: 138) said the caeca were simple “without indentations” (lapsus?), his earlier account ( Kobayashi, 1937: 338) had “each with several serriformed outgrowths on ventral margin only”, as were found in the current specimen. Kobayashi (1937: 340) also notes that Goto and Hatai (1899) were incorrect to cite the present species as having manicate caeca.

Figures

Fig. 4. A. Amynthas masatakae (Beddard, 1892) Busan specimen showing spermathecal and male regions. B. Metaphire ryunome Blakemore, 2012 Busan specimen [boxed is X2 enlargement of its18rhs male pore that appears elevated, non-superficial, i.e.,=Metaphire].