Amynthas carnosus naribunji Blakemore, 2013

Blakemore, Robert J., 2013, Megascolex (Perichaeta) diffringens Baird, 1869 and Pheretima pingi Stephenson, 1925 types compared to the Amynthas corticis (Kinberg, 1867) and A. carnosus (Goto & Hatai, 1899) species-groups (Oligochaeta: Megadrilacea: Megascolecidae), Journal of Species Research 2 (2), pp. 99-126 : 101-103

Amynthas carnosus naribunji Blakemore sub-sp. nov.

? Amynthas pingi : Blakemore, 2013a: 60 , figs. 4, 5; Blakemore and Lee, 2013. ( Fig. 1 )

Material examined. NIBRIV261262 an anomalous mature specimen from Naribunji, Ulleung-do (37̊30 ′N 130̊52 ′E); dissected and providing DNA sample w54 (Appendix).

Etymology. Named for its type locality on Ulleungdo, although there is no implication that it is an endemic, more likely it is introduced as with all the island’s other earthworms.

Description. Size 215 mm. Colour a darker brown pigmentation dorsally. First dorsal pore 12/13. Spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9 each with pre-intersegmental hemispherical arcs (spermathecal papillae) anterior to interseg- 5

10

15

20

1 mm

ments. Male pores superficial on 18 with disc-like GMs posterio-median to male pores. Setae about 17-18 between male pores. Septa 8/9/10 aborted. Last hearts in 13. Septal glands pronounced from 15 on dorsal blood vessel. Intestinal caeca simple.

Remarks. Otherwise complying within broad description of A. carnosus , the current specimen was originally noted by Blakemore (2013a: 60) in a provisionally restor- ed A. pingi ( Stephenson, 1925) , the next available synonym of A. carnosus then A. kyamikius ( Kobayashi, 1934) from Seoul. DNA data is unequivocal that A. carnosus naribunji is intermediate between A. carnosus carnosus from Japan and Korea and A. carnosus roki from both Incheon and Busan (see Blakemore and Lee, 2013, fig. 1). That no similar taxon is yet reported on GenBank provides supporting justification for its consideration as unique, albeit as a mostly molecular taxon (Appendix).

Other A. carnosus carnosus proper specimens on Ulleungdo tended to be slightly smaller and paler and, significantly, either had no other GMs or had a pair of markings anterio-median to the male pores and thus mostly complied with Kobayashi’s (1936) Types I & I - the most common manifestation. Song & Paik’s (1969), “ Pheretima sp. 1 ” from Ulleungdo - that was named as A. baemsagolensis Hong & James, 2001 but is yet another synonym of A. carnosus - similarly has Kobayashi’s (1936) Types I & I form. In contrast, A. carnosus roki typically has Kobayashi’s (1936) Types II & I form - a combination that should now be excluded from A. carnosus carnosus (see Blakemore and Lee, 2013). For A. carnosus naribunji sub-sp. nov., the GMs comply with Kobayashi’s (1936) Types I & II markings that should similarly be considered for exclusion from A. carnosus . That is, those specimens with GMs posterio-median to male pores. It is important to note that this arrangement is particularly similar to those occurring near the male pores in A. pingi as describ- ed below and shown to be a synonym of A. carnosus carnosus proper. The issue now is defining the scope and relationships of all A. carnosus sub-species in Japan, Korea and adjacent countries as well as any transported specimens.

Figures

Fig. 1. Phylotree from MEGA5 program Maximum Likelihood defaults - sample codes explained in the Appendix; ◆- samples have figured specimens; ◇- ex GenBank. Appears to show significant genetic difference between specimens superficially compliant with broad A. corticis definition as discussed below that taxon herein. Synonym priority for either Gp 1 or Gp 2 is currently unresolved.