Pheretima doriae, Hong, Yong & James, Samuel W., 2009

Hong, Yong & James, Samuel W., 2009, New earthworms of the Pheretima urceolata species group (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southern Luzon, Philippines, Zootaxa 2059, pp. 33-45 : 39

Pheretima doriae sp. nov.

( Fig. 2 A–B)

Material. Holotype: Clitellate (NMA 004318): Philippines, Camarines Sur, Mt. Isarog (13° 39.70’N, 123° 22.07’E), 1745 m, arboreal, 16 May 2001, S. W. James coll. 2 paratypes: 1 clitellate (NMA 004323), 1 clitellate ( KUNHM 003014): Same data as for holotype. Other material: 1 clitellate, 2 semi-clitellates, same data as for holotype; 1 aclitellate, Camarines Sur, Mt. Isarog (13° 39.70’N, 123° 22.07’E), 1745 m, soil, 16 May 2001, S. W. James coll.

Etymology. The species is named for Dorothy (Dori) Franke, a student participant in the fieldwork. On the ascent of Mt. Isarog, she elected to remain at the 1745 meters site and search there.

Diagnosis. urceolata -group with spermathecal pores and openings of copulatory bursae 0.32 circumference apart, intestinal origin in XVI, hearts in XI–XIII, and septum 9/10 present.

Description. Red-brown dorsal pigment, except on setal rings; preclitellate segments with lighter pigment. Dimensions 34–45 mm by 2.4 at segment X, 2.0 mm at XXX, 2.1 mm at clitellum, segments 77–86; body circular in cross-section. Setae numbering 35–40 at VII, 40–43 at XX; 5–8 between male pores, setal formula AA:AB:YZ:ZZ= 4:2:3:4 at XIII. Clitellum annular XIV–XVI; setae invisible externally.

First dorsal pores 11/12. One pair of spermathecae deep in 5/6 at 7th–8th setal lines, sub-laterally placed, 0.32 circumference apart, distance between spermathecal pores 2.3 mm; 0.3–0.4 mm openings of copulatory bursae paired in XVIII at 7th setal lines, ventro-laterally placed, 0.32 circumference apart, distance between openings 1.8 mm. Genital markings lacking.

Septa 5/6–7/8 thin, 8/9 absent, 9/10 membranous, 10/11–13/14 thin. Gizzard in VIII–IX, intestine begins in XVI, small paired lymph glands from XXVII along dorsal vessel; intestinal caeca simple originating in XXVII, and extending anteriorly about to XXV, short sac with strong septal indentations, typhlosole very low from XXVII. Hearts XI–XIII, esophageal, X absent.

Ovaries and funnels in XIII. Spermathecae one pair in VI, with nephridia on spermathecal ducts; spermatheca with small broad spherical ampulla, duct shorter than ampulla; diverticulum very small egg-shaped chamber, with short stalk. Male sexual system holandric, testes and funnels in ventral paired sacs in X–XI. Seminal vesicles two pairs in XI–XII, with elongate fuzzy dorsal lobes, prostates in XVII–XIX bilobed, with muscular ducts, duct crossing top of copulatory bursae from lateral edge to center, attached to top; copulatory bursae without coelomic glands, glandular pads at anterior medial, posterior medial, and anterior lateral sides of copulatory bursa cavity; penis a small bump on roof.

Remarks. Pheretima doriae sp. nov. has widely spaced spermathecal pores (0.32 circumference) and male openings (0.32). Others in the species group with relatively wide spermathecal pore spacing, hearts in XI–XIII and an intestinal origin in XVI are Pheretima viracensis sp. nov., P. abiadai , and P. nagaensis (Table 1). Among these, Pheretima doriae sp. nov. is the only one with three copulatory bursal pads located on the sides and to have septum 9/10 present. Pheretima doriae sp. nov. has wider male opening spacing than the other three, whose spacing is 0.20–0.25.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Pheretima doriae sp. nov. A: ventral view; B: spermatheca. Pheretima batoensis sp. nov. C: ventral view; D: spermatheca. Scale bars = 2.5 mm (ventral views), 1 mm (spermathecae).