Eisenia nordenskioldi cf. pallida Malevic, 1956

Hong, Yong & Csuzdi, Csaba, 2016, New data to the earthworm fauna of the Korean Peninsula with redescription of Eisenia koreana (Zicsi) and remarks on the Eisenia nordenskioldi species group (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae), Zoological Studies 55 (12), pp. 1-15 : 7-9

Eisenia nordenskioldi cf. pallida Malevic, 1956

Eisenia nordenskiÖldi f. typica: Kobayashi 1941: 148 (misidentification).

Eisenia nordenskioldi species complex: Blakemore 2008: 580.

Eisenia nordenskioldi pallida : Blakemore 2014: 12.

Notes: E. nordenskioldi represents a quite heterogeneous species complex with different polyploid races ( Perel 1997) and several, genetically quite diverged lineages ( Shekhovtsov 2013). According to Perel (1997) in the Korean Peninsula the slightly pigmented form E. nordenskioldi pallida Malevic, 1956 occurs which, as stated by Blakemore (2013b), might be a synonym of Helodrilus (Allolobophora) acystis Michaelsen, 1903 from Turkestan.

Material examined: North Korea. Myohyang Mts. Kuchung, 1000 m, 06.1985, 1 ex. Leg. Z. Tóth (HNHM/16902)., Baekdu Mts. near Pochon, 13.07.1988, 1 ex. Leg. Cs. Csuzdi (HNHM/16904)., Baekdu Mts. near Samjiyon, 12.07.1988, 3 ex. Leg. Cs. Csuzdi (HNHM/16905)., between Nam- Chon and Haeju, 17.07.1988, 3 ex. Leg. Cs. Csuzdi (HNHM/16920)., Haeju, Su-Yong waterfall, 16.07.1988, 1 ex. Leg. Cs. Csuzdi (HNHM/16921)., Myohyang Mts., near Hyangsan, 07.07.1988, 3 ex. Leg. Cs. Csuzdi (HNHM/16922). South Korea. Jeju-do, Jeju-si, 30.05.2008. 2 ex., 31.05.2008, 1 ex. Leg. Y. Hong., Incheon-si, Ongjin-gun, Baekryeong-do Island, 28.08.2008, 5 ex. Leg. Y. Hong., Incheon-si, Gangwha-gun, Gangwhado, 03.05.2013, 5 ex. Leg. Y. Hong., Jeollabuk-do, Gunsan-si, Sunyudo Island, 26.04.2013, 2 ex. Leg. Y. Hong., Jeollabuk-do, Gunsan-si, Muyeodo Island, 18.10.2013, 1 ex. Leg. Y. Hong., Daegu-si, 03.08.1965, 1 ex. Leg. M.J. Song, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gimcheon, 16.07.1966, 1 ex. Leg. M.J. Song.

Remarks: None of our specimens possessed red pigmentation even alive. Their colour is greyish, more dark on the dorsum at the head. Setae closely paired ( Figs. 8 , 9), the biometry varies between 44-74 × 3-4.5 mm, segment No. 80-141. Clitellum 25, 26-33, 1/n 34, tubercles ½ 29, 29-½ 31, ½ 32. Number of papillae before clitellum varied, but they are constant on the clitellum around ab 27-33, (34). ( Table 3). Four pairs of vesicles in 9-12 but the first two pairs in 9-10 are rather small. Spermathecae in 9/10-10/11 drop-shaped open just near to the dorsal pores.

Zoological Studies 55: 12 (2016)

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Zoological Studies 55: 12 (2016)

Typhlosole moderate, bilobed or T-shaped.

The above description agrees well with the original description of E. n. papillda. Especially the shared papillar segments are characteristic; therefore we regard our Korean specimens to be identical to E. n. pallida described from environs of Vladivostok ( Russia), just ca. 150 km NE from the North Korean border.

Helodrilus (Allolobophora) acystis Michaelsen, 1903 is also a similar species however, E. n. pallida clearly differs from it in the setal arrangement (in pallida dd is always less than ½ circumference, in acystis dd = 7/13 circumference) and in the distribution of the genital papillae (in acystis they are confined to segments 9-12, in pallida they are more widespread). Therefore we agree with the opinion of Perel (1997: 70) that H. (A) acysis Michaelsen, 1903 represents a different (sub) species. To clear the positions of the different species/subspecies in the Eisenia nordenskioldi species complex a thorough morphological/ molecular analysis of the species involved are needed (cf. Blakemore 2013b).

Figures

Fig. 8. Eisenia nordenskioldi cf. pallida Malevic, 1956; setal arrangement of the Korean specimens. aa = distance between the ventral setal lines, ab = distance between the ventrolateral setal lines, cd = distance between the dorsolateral setal lines, dd = distance between the dorsal setal lines.