Metaphire birmanica ( Rosa, 1888 )

Kharkongor, Ilona J., 2018, Taxonomic and ecological studies on the earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) of West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, Records of the Zoological Survey of India 118 (1), pp. 56-56 : 56-

13. Metaphire birmanica ( Rosa, 1888)

1888. Perichaeta birmanica Rosa, Annal. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova , 26: 164.

1900. Pheretima birmanica : Michaelsen, Das Tierreich, 10: 255.

1972. Metaphire birmanica : Sims & Easton, Biol. J. Linn. Soc., 4 (3): 238.

Material examined: 1 ex. Regn. No. IV /ANN/NERC-37. India, Meghalaya, WKH District, Mawshynrut village, banks of Riangdo river , N25 o 40’41.8”; E91 o 03’15.8”; Alt. 913m, 22.vi.2010, coll. I.J.Kharkongor and party .

Diagnosis: Length 112-185 mm. Segments 110-116. Epilobic. Perichaetine. Dorsal pores from 12/13. Spermathecal pores three pairs in 5/6/7/8. Clitellum from 14-16. Female pore single, median, presetal on 14. Combined male and prostatic pores paired, minute in 18, on slightly swollen areas which are lighter in colour. Genital markings absent.

Septa 5/6/7 muscular. Gizzard large. Intestine from 15, intestinal caeca paired in 27. Seminal vesicles small, in 11 and 12.

Distribution: INDIA: Meghalaya (WKHD). Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Elsewhere: Myanmar.

Remarks: This species occupies habitats identical to those of Metaphire houletti (Perrier) , but in wet, clayey soils. It is an epi-anecic species feeding on the decaying leaf litter on the soil surface.