Metaphire khaochamao Bantaowong & Panha

Bantaowong, Ueangfa, Chanabun, Ratmanee, James, Samuel W. & Panha, Somsak, 2016, Seven new species of the earthworm genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972 from Thailand (Clitellata: Megascolecidae), Zootaxa 4117 (1), pp. 63-84 : 73-74

Metaphire khaochamao Bantaowong & Panha , sp. n.

( Figure 7 , Table 2 )

Material examined. Holotype: clitellate ( CUMZ 3382), Thailand, Rayong, Khao Cha Mao, Wat Ma Dua, 13°03'14.1"N, 101°36'46.6"E, 343 m amsl, 10 November 2013, leg. S. Panha, U. Bantaowong, P. Tongkerd & W. Siriwut. Paratypes: 5 adults ( CUMZ 3383), 2 adults ( ZMH), 2 adults ( NHMUK), same data as holotype.

Other material examined. Two adults ( CUMZ 3384), Thailand, Rayong, Klaeng, Wat Tham Naramitr, 12°58'20.2"N, 101°39'54.3"E, 34 m amsl, 10 November 2013. 3 adults ( CUMZ 3385), Thailand, Rayong, Mueang, Wat Khao Sab, 12°36'48.1"N, 101°23'23.0"E, 9 m amsl, 10 November 2013. 77 adults ( CUMZ 3386), Thailand, Rayong, Mueang, Khao Laem Ya-Mu Koh Samet National Park, 12°35'16.7"N, 101°25'10.9"E, 15 m amsl, 10 November 2013. 57 adults ( CUMZ 3387), Thailand, Chonburi, Bo Thong, Khao Cha Ang On, 13°12'0.7"N, 101°34'43.6"E, 82 m amsl, 24 September 2012. 2 adults ( CUMZ 3388) Thailand, Chonburi, Bo Thong, Khao Ha Yod, 13°09'46.4"N, 101°35'52.6"E, 79 m amsl, 9 November 2013. 4 adults ( CUMZ 3389), Thailand, Chonburi, Si Racha, Chan Ta Then Waterfall, 13°14'12.7"N, 101°2.0'28.2"E, 168 m amsl, 13 August 2010.

Etymology. This new species is named after the type locality, Khao Cha Mao. Noun in apposition.

Diagnosis. Medium-sized; length 100–166 mm with 110–120 segments. Setae numbering 34–45 in VII, 52–65 in XX, no setae between male pores. Male pores paired, protruded with inner inclined grooves on ventro-lateral side of segment XVIII, no genital markings. Spermathecal pores paired in segments 6/7–8/9. Spermathecae with elliptic ampulla, diverticulum slender, with small round knob. No nephridia on the spermathecal ducts. Holandric, intestinal caeca simple, first dorsal pore in 12/13. Prostate glands several lobules, ducts curved.

Description of holotype. Dimensions: 166 mm by 6.0 mm at segment VII, 6.1 mm at segment XX, 5.8 mm at clitellum; body cylindrical with 118 segments. Preserved specimen brownish dorsally, light-gray ventrally. Setae regularly distributed around segmental equators, numbering 34 at VII, 60 at XX, no setae between male pores, setal formula AA:AB:ZZ:ZY=1.5:1:1:1 at XIII. Single female pore at XIV. Prostomium epilobic. First dorsal pore at 12/13. Clitellum annular XIV–XVI. Male pores protruded on ventro-lateral sides of XVIII, with inner inclined grooves that run straight from tip to basal edge, about 0.30 circumference apart ventrally, distance between openings of copulatory pouch 5 mm, the median region between male pores depressed. Three pairs of spermathecal pores, each marked by a whitish spot in furrows 6/7–8/9, ventral, distance between each pair 5 mm, about 0.30 of the body circumference apart ventrally.

Septa 5/6–7/8 thick, 8/9–9/10 absent, 10/11–11/12 thin. Gizzard large behind 7/8, intestinal origin XV; the intestinal caeca originating in XXVII, simple, extending to XXII. Typhlosole one-fourth lumen diameter, beginning in XXVII. Oesophageal hearts four pairs in X–XIII. Holandric; testes and funnels enclosed in ventral paired sacs in X and XI, sacs not connected. Seminal vesicles paired in XI–XII. Prostate gland well developed, located in XVII to XXIII, divided into several lobules. Prostatic duct not very long, copulatory pouch compressed to the outer body wall. Ovaries in XIII. Three pairs of spermathecae in VII–IX. Ampulla elliptic with a short duct. The diverticulum stalk slender, as long as ampulla, with a small rounded seminal chamber.

Variation. The paratypes are 100–148 mm (122.6±12.8) long, with 110–120 segments. The prostate glands may begin in XVI and end in XXII, and intestinal caeca may extend to only XXIII.

Distribution. Known only from Rayong and Chonburi provinces, located in eastern Thailand.

Remarks. Metaphire khaochamao sp. n. has protruded male pores with inner inclined grooves. This character resembles M. formosae ( Michaelsen, 1922) , but M. formosae has an oval pad near the male pore opening, absent in M. khaochamao . Moreover, the location and number of spermathecal pores of these two species are also different. M. formosae has four pairs of spermathecal pores located at 5/6–8/9, while M. khaochamao has three pairs located at 6/7–8/9. The new species also keys to the houlleti species group in Sims and Easton (1972). Within the houlleti species group in Thailand, which consists of M. houlleti , M. virgo , M. khaoluangensis and M. perichaeta , the new species can be distinguished by the much more ventral placement of the spermathecal pores, the features of the male field including the lateral slits associated with the male pores, absence of setae between male pores, and absence of an internally visible copulatory sac ( Table 2 ).

Figures

FIGURE 7. External and internal morphology of Metaphire khaochamao sp. n., holotype (CUMZ 3382). A. External ventral view. B. Internal dorsal view. C. Spermatheca; arrowhead: location of spermathecal pore.