Drawida songae yeongdo Blakemore, 2013

Blakemore, Robert J. & Lee, Seunghan, 2013, Survey of Busan Oligochaeta earthworms supported by DNA barcodes, Journal of Species Research 2 (2), pp. 127-144 : 129

3. Drawida songae yeongdo Blakemore subsp. n.

( Fig. 2 ).

Material. NIBR-IV0000261284 (DNA sample H1), H, holotype, a complete specimen 24 th April , 2013 from Yeongdo Island in woodland just below Temple on southeast coastal walk. In same sample: IV0000261285 (DNA sample H2), P, paratype, a smaller (37 mm) and paler immature; and IV0000261293, three immature Amynthas sp. that were not studied further .

Etymology. Noun, after type-locality.

Description. Colour copper green in life looking like Amynthas hupeiensis but without its characteristic smell and coiling behaviour: this specimen was sluggish and remained elongated. Prostomium prolobous. Clitellum not noticeable. Length 135(+?) mm. Segments 202 with the last seven segments paler, possibly regenerated or a zone of growth. No DPs. Nephropores near intersegments and appear mainly in cd but are above d in the anterior. Spermathecal pores in 7/ 8 in ab lines. Male pores in 10/ 11 in ab lines. Female pores in anterior of 12 in ab lines. Genital markings in 8-10: paired in 8, 9 and 11 with analogue in 10lhs (faint remnant in 10rhs?); sessile glands correspond internally.

Septum “9/10” displaced to mid-segment 10; 11/12 also displaced and combined with 12/13. Dorsal blood vessel single; hearts large in 6-9. Spermathecal ampulla on 7/8 with long duct to body wall; no atrium present in 8. Testis sacs in 10/11 with long coiled vasa deferentia to flat, sessile prostates; no penes. Ovaries as several sheets enclosed in septa with small and empty egg sac posteriorly from 12/13. Gizzards in 14-17; gut filled with organic soil supporting classification as a topsoil species. Nephridial bladders elongate.

Remarks. The current species appears particularly close to Drawida songae Hong, 2002 from Daegu that is somewhat smaller at 70-93 mm with fewer segments (viz. 172). Both taxa have simple, superficial spermathecal and male pores, and four gizzards in 14-17. However D. songae was described with a pink colour (but possibly due to preservation?) rather than green as in the current specimen. The genital markings were twice described as from 7-11,12 (although it is ambiguous since only some were figured - see Fig. 2B ), whereas the current specimen lacks markings in both 7 and 12 but has them clearly in 8-11. The markings in D. songae were said to have “muscular areas” that probably correspond to the sessile glands observed in the present species. Other differences are that the egg-sacs in D. songae were larger (more mature or seasonal?) from 12-14 and were said to cover the gizzards. Perhaps most distinctive, the prostates were said to be absent whereas the current specimen has low, flat glands. The accumulation of these differences possibly merits separate species status although the gross similarities suggest a close relationship and thus it is proposed as a new sub-species. Attached DNA data should help resolve its ultimate status and relationships, should further material of nominal D. songae songae be uncovered.

MEGASCOLECIDAE

Figures

Fig. 2. A. Drawida songae yeongdo subsp. n. holotype (H, DNA H1) showing prostomium, gizzards, pygidium, habitus with reproductive organs in situ and all four genital marking glands in 8-11lhs plus a nephridium from 15rhs. B. D. songae songae after Hong (2002: fig. 1) with GMs in 7, 10-11(but not 12?) for fair use comparison.