Pheretima gorasi, Hong, Yong & James, Samuel W., 2009

Hong, Yong & James, Samuel W., 2009, New earthworms of the Pheretima urceolata species group (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southern Luzon, Philippines, Zootaxa 2059, pp. 33-45 : 43

Pheretima gorasi sp. nov.

( Fig. 3 C–D)

Material. Holotype: One clitellate (NMA 004321): Philippines, Camarines Sur, Mt. Isarog (13° 39.70’N, 123° 22.07’E), 1745 m, soil, 16 May 2001, S. W. James coll. 2 paratypes: 1 clitellate (NMA 004326), 1 clitellate ( KUNHM 003015): Same data as for holotype.

Etymology. The species name is an anagram of Isarog, the type locality.

Diagnosis. urceolata -group without setal gaps, closely-spaced genital pores, septum 8/9 present, and two bursal pads.

Description. Brown dorsal pigment darkest at head and tail. Dimensions 155–177 mm by 6.7–7.0 at segment X, 7.0 mm at XXX, 6.2–7.0 mm at clitellum, segments 115–118; body circular in cross-section. Setae numbering 24–32 at VII, 25–41 at XX; 0 between male pores, size uniform within segments, but setae II–IX larger; setal formula AA:AB:YZ:ZZ= 2:2:4:4 at XIII. Clitellum annular XIV–XVI, setae invisible externally.

First dorsal pores 12/13. One pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6 between 2nd–3rd setal lines, grooved protuberance on anterior side of each pore below level of pore lips, 0.06–0.07 circumference apart, 1.3–1.5 mm between spermathecal pores; 0.4–0.5 mm openings of copulatory bursa paired in XVIII at 6th setal lines, 0.10 circumference apart, distance between openings 2.0– 2.3 mm. Genital markings lacking.

Septa 5/6, 6/7 thick, 7/8 thin, 8/9 very thin, 9/10 absent, 10/11–13/14 thinly muscled. Gizzard in VIII, intestine begins in XVI, small paired lymph glands from XXVII along dorsal vessel; intestinal caeca simple originating in XXVII, extending anteriorly about to XXIII, a finger-shaped sac; typhlosole medium from XXVI, 38 intestinal wall blood vessels. Hearts in XI–XIII esophageal; X absent; IX left side only, VIII to gizzard, VII to ventral vessel.

Ovaries and funnels in XIII, spermathecae one pair in VI with nephridia on ducts, spermathecae smooth heart-shaped ampulla chamber; duct much shorter than ampulla, diverticulum chamber match-shaped, iridescent, with stalk shorter than ampulla. Male sexual system holandric, testes and funnels in ventrally paired sacs in X–XI. Seminal vesicles two pairs in XI–XII with long apical dorsal lobes, prostates in XVIII–XIX, with stout muscular ducts, entering anterior half of bilobate copulatory bursae without stalked glands; penis oval protrusion from the roof, lateral end free greater height posterior section of copulatory bursa mainly glandular, with very large folded pad extending from roof to floor, small pad anterior, medial to penis on roof.

Remarks. Pheretima gorasi sp. nov. is distinguished from its species group members according to the remarks under Pheretima buhiensis sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Pheretima buhiensis sp. nov. A: ventral view; B: spermatheca. Pheretima gorasi sp. nov. C: ventral view; D: spermatheca. Scale bars = 2.5 mm (ventral views), 2 mm (spermathecae).