Pheretima batoensis, 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 : 40-41

Pheretima batoensis sp. nov.

( Fig. 2 C–D)

Material. Holotype: Clitellate (NMA 004319): Philippines, Camarines Sur, Isarog summit (13° 39.81’N, 123° 21.89’E), 1987 m, arboreal, 15 May 2001, S. W. James coll. 2 paratypes: 1 clitellate (NMA 004324), 1 clitellate ( KUNHM 003011): Same data as for holotype. Other material: 7 clitellates, 7 aclitellates, same data as for holotype.

Etymology. The species is named for Lake Bato in Camarines Sur Province.

Diagnosis. urceolata -group, with openings of copulatory bursa 0.15–0.18 circumference apart, intestinal origin in XVI, and 2 bursal pads on the floor.

Description. Light to medium red-brown, variable degree of pigment loss from setal rings, from strongly striped to faint lines. Darker worms less striped, also with more ventral pigment. Dimensions 45–65 mm by 3.0–3.5 at segment X, 2.2–3.3 mm at XXX, 2.5–3.2 mm at clitellum, segments 83–85; body dorso-ventrally flattened in cross-section. Setae numbering 36–43 at VII, 43–48 at XX; 6–8 between male pores, size uniform, spacing closer ventrally, setal formula AA:AB:YZ:ZZ= 1.5:1:2:3 at XIII. Clitellum annular XIV–XVI, setae invisible externally.

First dorsal pores 11/12 (one individual 10/11). One pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6 at 10th setal lines, opening deep inside segmental furrow, sub-lateral, 0.21–0.23 circumference apart, distance between spermathecal pores around 2.0– 2.5 mm; 0.3–0.4 mm openings of copulatory bursa paired in XVIII at 8th setal lines, ventrally placed, 0.15–0.18 circumference apart, distance between openings 1.4–1.5 mm. Genital markings lacking.

Septa 5/6 thin; 6/7, 7/8 thick, 8/9–9/10 absent, 10/11 thinly muscular, 11/12–13/14 thin. Gizzard in VIII–X, intestine begins in XVI, medium paired lymph glands from XXVI along dorsal vessel; intestinal caeca simple originating in XXVII, and extending anteriorly about to XXIV, finger-shaped sac; typhlosole very low from XXVI. Hearts esophageal in XI–XIII; X absent.

Ovaries and funnels in XIII. Spermathecae one pair in VI, with nephridia on ducts; spermatheca with mushroom-shaped ampulla, wrinkled by gizzard; duct shorter than ampulla, diverticulum chamber ovate, 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 small sub-apical dorsal lobes, prostates in XVII–XIX, with long muscular ducts, tapering towards copulatory bursa, making C-shaped curve convex to anterior, entering center of hemispheric copulatory bursa without stalked glands; copulatory bursae openings flanked, anterior by circular pad, posterior by wide flap of same general appearance as pads. Penis conical, skewed laterally from base to tip; pore at tip.

Remarks. Pheretima batoensis sp. nov. is closest to P. abiadai , and P. nagaensis , these three species sharing genital pore spacings within the range 0.15–0.25, intestinal origin in XVI, similar numbers of setae, and similar body size. Pheretima batoensis sp. nov. has 2 bursal pads, but the others have four bursal pads.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Pheretima doriae sp. nov. A: ventral view; B: spermatheca. Pheretima batoensis sp. nov. C: ventral view; D: spermatheca. Scale bars = 2.5 mm (ventral views), 1 mm (spermathecae).