Amynthas phimpheti, Hong & Inkhavilay & James, 2018

Hong, Yong, Inkhavilay, Khamla & James, Samuel W., 2018, Nine new species of the " aeruginosus " - group in Amynthas (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from Nam Et-Phouley National protected Area, Laos, Zootaxa 4496 (1), pp. 238-250 : 242-243

Amynthas phimpheti sp. nov.

( Figure 1E,F )

Material. Holotype: clitellate ( BDNUL0035 ): Laos, Hoaphane Province , Nam Et-Phouley NPA, Viengthong district, slope of Phouley Mountain, 2071 m (20o16.612'N, 103o11.582'E), wet mossy forest, very thick surface litter layer, 23 July 2005, Boutong, Phimphet, Son and K. Inkhavilay colls . Paratypes: 2 clitellates ( BDNUL0036 , BDNUL00357 ), same data as for holotype . Other material: 6 clitellates, same data as for holotype .

Etymology. The species is named for one of the collectors, Mr. Phimpet.

Diagnosis. Spermathecal pores two pairs in 7/8–8/9 at 12th setal lines; male pores at centers of male pads surrounded by outer rings in XVIII, 0.21–0.24 circumference apart ventrally; round thickened genital papillae paired on 17/18 and 18/ 19 in line with male pores; muscular prostatic ducts spiraled clockwise (L), anti clockwise (R), first dorsal pore 5/6; spermathecae in VII, VIII.

Description. Dimensions 76–100 mm, by 4.0– 4.8 mm at segment X, 2.2–4.5 mm at segment XXX, 3.5–3.9 mm at clitellum; body cylindrical, segments 99–104. Setae regularly distributed around segmental equators, numbering 44–47 at VII, 47–52 at XX, 10–13 between male pores, setal formula AA:AB:ZZ:YZ= 2:1.5:3:2 at XIII. Female pore single in XIV, on an oval porophore 0.3–0.4 mm in diameter. Prostomium epilobic with tongue open, clitellum coffee color, ladder like ventral surface in DD from slight transverse thickenings in anterior segments. Dark purple pigment on head, ventrum reddish purple in the pre-clitellar region, post-clitellar segments purple-brown pigment on dorsum, lighter ventrally; unpigmented areas around spermathecal pores and male field; setal rings lighter; formalin preservation. First dorsal pore at 5/6. Clitellum annular XIV–XVI; setae invisible externally. Male pores at centers of male pads surrounded by outer rings, near lateral margins of ventrum in XVIII at 8th setal lines, 0.21–0.24 circumference apart ventrally. Spermathecal pores two pairs in 7/8–8/9 at 12th setal lines, within conspicuous white areas at lateral margins of ventrum, 0.24–0.38 circumference apart ventrally. Round thickened genital papillae paired on 17/18 and 18/ 19 in line with male pores. Genital markings lacking in preclitellar segments.

Septa 5/6/7/8 thin, 8/9–9/10 absent, 10/11–12/13 very thin. Gizzard globular in VIII–X. Intestine enlarged from XV, lymph glands not found. Typhlosole small from XXVII. Intestinal caeca originating in XXVII and extending anteriorly about to XXIV, bent down to ventral body wall, simple elongate triangle. Hearts esophageal in X–XIII. Male sexual system holandric, testes and funnels in ventrally joined sacs in X, XI. Seminal vesicles paired, very large in XI, XII each divided into 2–3 small lobes; no dorsal lobes. Prostates in XVIII, extending from XVII– XIX; both glandular parts divided into 2 main lobes each divided again into 5–6 small lobes; muscular duct spiraled clockwise (L), anti clockwise (R). Genital papilla glands not found. Ovaries in XIII. Spermathecae two pairs in VII and VIII; ampulla globular, stout muscular ducts shorter than ampulla narrowing abruptly at body wall, iridescent seminal chamber egg-shaped, muscular stalks slender, shorter than ampulla, bound down to body wall, join duct in its thick section, no nephridia on spermathecal ducts. Genital marking glands not found in preclitellar segments.

Remarks. Differences between A. phimpheti sp. nov. and A. hoauykanangensis sp. nov. are discussed in the remarks on the latter species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Amynthas bouatongi sp. nov. (A,B), Amynthas hoauykanangensis sp. nov. (C,D), and Amynthas phimpheti sp. nov. (E,F). A,C,E: ventral view; B,D,F: spermatheca. Scale bars 2 mm.