[Invertebrate • 2024] Megascolex jeyporeghatiensis & M. quadripapillatus • Two New Species of the Genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha State, India

Megascolex jeyporeghatiensis Narayanan & Paliwal,
M. quadripapillatus Narayanan & Paliwal, 

in Naik, Narayanan, Palita, Thomas et Paliwal, 2024.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5

Abstract

Two new earthworm species of Megascolex Templeton, 1844, M. quadripapillatus Narayanan & Paliwal, sp. nov. and M. jeyporeghatiensis Narayanan & Paliwal, sp. nov. are described from the under-explored Eastern Ghats Hills of Odisha state in Peninsular India. They belong to a group of species characterized by two pairs of spermathecal pores in intersegmental furrows 7/8/9, holandric, seminal vesicles in segments 9 and 12, absence of penial setae and calciferous glands. Megascolex ratus Cognetti, 1911, M. pumilio Stephenson, 1916 and the two new species described here are the members of this group. Megascolex quadripapillatus sp. nov. and M. jeyporeghatiensis sp. nov. occur in deciduous forests with brownish gravel-loamy soils. Here we provide the detailed description of the external and internal characteristics of the new species along with the illustrations of the key characters. With the new findings, the range of Megascolex genus has been extended further north in the less explored Eastern Ghats Hills of India. With this discovery, the total number of Megascolex species has increased to 70, of which 34 are found in India.

Annelida, biodiversity, endemic, Oligochaeta, Peninsular India, taxonomy  

Ayusmita Naik, S. Prasanth Narayanan, Sharat Kumar Palita, A.P. Thomas and R. Paliwal. 2024. Two New Species of the Genus Megascolex Templeton, 1844 (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha State, India.  Zootaxa. 5424(5); 569-580. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5424.5.5

[Invertebrate • 2023] Amynthas panhai & A. oudomxayensis • Two New Species of Terrestrial Earthworms of the Genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 (Clitellata: Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Northern Laos

Amynthas panhai 

Bantaowong, Chanabun & Inkhavilay, 2023

Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7

   li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH 

Abstract

This paper describes two new species of terrestrial earthworms belonging to the genus Amynthas from northern Laos; A. panhai sp. nov. and A. oudomxayensis sp. nov., are described based on external morphology and anatomy. They were determined to be new species after comparison with the other members of their respective species groups based on their original descriptions and some reference materials from Biozentrum Grindel und Zoologisches Museum, Hamburg, and Chulalongkorn University, Museum of Zoology, Thailand. However, they differ from all other known species of Amynthas by a combination of the following characters: male field and genital marking pattern, shape of spermathecae, and prostate gland and duct.

Keywords: Amynthas, earthworm, new species, Laos, taxonomy

Photographs of holotype (CUMZ 3832) of Amynthas panhai sp. nov.

 A. specimen showing the coloration of the ventral side after preservation with 4% (w/v) formalin and in 70%(v/v) ethanol,

B. living specimen from the type locality showing coloration 

and, C. type locality of Amynthas panhai sp. nov

Ueangfa Bantaowong, Ratmanee Chanabun and Khamla Inkhavilay. 2023. Two New Species of Terrestrial Earthworms of the Genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 (Clitellata, Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from Northern Laos. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7;165-172. 

  li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH/article/view/258824

[Invertebrate • 2022] Orobdella ibukifukuyamai • A New Sexannulate Species of Orobdella (Hirudinea: Arhynchobdellida: Orobdellidae) from Kii-Oshima Island, Japan

Orobdella ibukifukuyamai 

 Nakano, 2022

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.86308

Abstract

A large-type sexannulate leech species, Orobdella ibukifukuyamai sp. nov., from Kii-Oshima Island, Japan, is described based on morphologic and molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, histone H3, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, tRNACys, tRNAMet, 12S rRNA, tRNAVal, 16S rRNA, tRNALeu and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 markers showed that O. ibukifukuyamai formed a clade with the sexannulate O. okanoi Nakano, 2016 and O. yamaneae Nakano, 2016 and octannulate O. nakahamai Nakano, 2016, which are endemic to Shikoku island, Japan.

Key Words: Hirudinida, Erpobdelliformes, Japanese Archipelago, molecular phylogeny

Orobdella ibukifukuyamai sp. nov., holotype, KUZ Z4031.
A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view; C. Dorsal view of live animal.

Scale bars: 20 mm (same bar for A, B).

Family Orobdellidae Nakano, Ramlah & Hikida, 2012

Genus Orobdella Oka, 1895

Type species: Orobdella whitmani Oka, 1895, 

fixed by subsequent designation (Soós 1966).

 Orobdella ibukifukuyamai sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Body length of mature individuals reaching ~15 cm. Somite VII quinquannulate, somites VIII–XXV sexannulate, b1 = b2 < a2 = b5 > c11 = c12 (especially mid-body somites). Male gonopore in slightly anterior to middle of, or in middle of somite XI c12, female gonopore in somite XIII b2/a2, posterior to gastropore, gonopores separated by 1/2 + 8 annuli. Pharynx reaching to somite XIV a2/b5–b5. Gastropore conspicuous, in somite XIII b2/a2. Gastroporal duct thick tubular. Paired epididymides in somites XVI–XVIII, occupying 11–12 annuli. Atrial cornua developed, ovate, without pre-atrial loop. Dorsal surface reddish brown in life.

Etymology: The specific name is dedicated to Mr Ibuki Fukuyama who collected the specimens of the new species.

 

 Takafumi Nakano. 2022. A New Sexannulate Species of Orobdella (Hirudinea, Arhynchobdellida, Orobdellidae) from Kii-Oshima Island, Japan. Evolutionary Systematics. 6(2): 135-142. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.86308

[Invertebrate • 2022] Tonoscolex kalimpongensis • A New Species of the Genus Tonoscolex Gates, 1933 (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from India

Tonoscolex kalimpongensis Ahmed & Julka, 

in Ahmed, Emiliyamma, Marimuthu, Sajan & Julka, 2022.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5124.3.6

 twitter.com/ZoologicalI 

Abstract

Tonoscolex kalimpongensis Ahmed & Julka sp. nov. is described from Neora Valley National Park in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India. The new species is easily distinguished by the presence of one pair of spermathecal pores at intersegmental furrow 7/8. An updated checklist of the genus Tonoscolex and an identification key to the Indian Tonoscolex species are provided as well.

Keywords: Annelida, checklist, earthworm, India, new species, taxonomy

Shakoor Ahmed, K. G. Emiliyamma, Nithyanandam Marimuthu, Sheikh Sajan and J. M. Julka. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Tonoscolex Gates, 1933 (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from India.  Zootaxa. 5124(3); 375-382. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5124.3.6

 twitter.com/ZoologicalI/status/1522617487040598017

[Invertebrate • 2021] Aridulodrilus molesworthae • A New Genus and Species of Earthworm (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Semi-arid Australia

 Aridulodrilus molesworthae 

 Dyne, 2021

DOI: 10.3853/j.2201-4349.73.2021.1769  

Researchgate.net/publication/356084663 

CSIRO.au

Abstract

A new genus and species of terrestrial oligochaete, Aridulodrilus molesworthae (Megascolecidae) is described from a new species found in a semi-arid habitat in New South Wales, Australia. The location of this species provides additional evidence that localized landscape and pedologic factors have allowed isolated populations of native earthworms to persist in areas where low rainfall averages were previously thought to preclude their occurrence. The genus has a combination of morphological features that distinguish it from all other Australian genera. While it shares some features with genera in Western Australia, the wide geographic gap (some 2300 km) appears to preclude any close phylogenetic affinity with these taxa.

Live extended specimen of Aridulodrilus molesworthae gen. et sp. nov.

Male field of holotype of  Aridulodrilus molesworthae gen. et sp. nov. 

Oligochaeta 

Megascolecidae Rosa, 1891

Aridulodrilus gen. nov.

Diagnosis. Large worms (over 250 mm in length). Setae more than 15 per segment throughout. Dorsal pores present. Male pores from racemose prostates paired on XVIII. Firm oesophageal gizzard in V; calciferous glands and oesophageal caeca absent; intestinal gizzards and typhlosole lacking. Nephridia meronephric, avesiculate, and astomate, tufted anteriorly. Caudal modifications of the excretory system (e.g., ureters) absent. Spermathecae three pairs, spermathecal diverticula clavate and single; several internal chambers (i.e., multiloculate but not sessile). Penial and genital setae absent. 

Etymology: From the Latin aridulo-drilus—semi-desert worm.

 Distribution. Western New South Wales, Australia (restricted). 

Remarks. The closest generic relative appears to be Austrohoplochaetella Jamieson, 1971, differentiated by the lack, in Aridulodrilus gen. nov., of any caudal excretory system elaboration (such as megameronephridia, nephrostomes, bladders or ureters). Also Aridulodrilus gen. nov. lacks an intestinal typhlosole.

 Aridulodrilus molesworthae sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is named for the manager of the property on which the species was detected—Ms Rosalind Molesworth.

Habitat of Aridulodrilus molesworthae gen. et sp. nov. 

Geoffrey R. Dyne. 2021. A New Genus and Species of Earthworm (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Semi-arid Australia. Records of the Australian Museum. 73(4);123–129. DOI: 10.3853/j.2201-4349.73.2021.1769

  Researchgate.net/publication/356084663_A_new_genus_and_species_of_earthworm_from_semi-arid_Australia

https://blog.CSIRO.au/earthworms-in-australia/

[Invertebrate • 2021] Three New Species and Four New Species records of Earthworms of the Genus Moniligaster Perrier, 1872 (Clitellata: Moniligastridae) from Kerala Region of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, India

Moniligaster sp.

 

in Narayanan, Sathrumithra, Anuja, ... et Julka, 2021. 

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4949.2.11

Abstract

Three new species of Moniligaster Perrier, 1872, namely Moniligaster bahli Narayanan & Julka, sp. nov., M. blakemorei Narayanan & Julka, sp. nov. and M. keralensis Narayanan & Julka, sp. nov. are described from materials collected from the Indian state of Kerala. Moniligaster cernosvitovi Gates, 1962, Moniligaster horsti Gates, 1940, Moniligaster michaelseni Gates, 1940 and Moniligaster stephensoni Gates, 1940 are recorded for the first time from the state. With the new findings, a total of 10 Moniligaster species are known from Kerala. Moniligaster species are restricted to southern peninsular India, except Moniligaster ivaniosi Manazhy, 2011, decribed from the Andaman Islands, outside the currently known distributional range of the genus. Hence we critically reviewed the original description and reinvestigated the holotype. As a result, Moniligaster ivaniosi is considered a junior synonym of Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen, 1907.

Keywords: Annelida, Andaman and Nicobar islands, Drawida nepalensis, endemic, Moniligaster ivaniosi, Oligochaeta, shola forest

S. Prasanth Narayanan, S. Sathrumithra, R. Anuja, G. Christopher, A.P. Thomas and J.M. Julka. 2021. Three New Species and Four New Species records of Earthworms of the Genus Moniligaster Perrier, 1872 (Clitellata: Moniligastridae) from Kerala Region of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, India. Zootaxa. 4949(2); 381–397. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4949.2.11

 english.mathrubhumi.com/technology/science/3-new-species-of-earthworms-found-from-western-ghats-1.5557099

[Invertebrate • 2019] Philomontanus gen. nov. • Multigene Phylogeny reveals A New Earthworm Genus (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) with Three New Species from Iran

A. Philomontanus sarii sp. nov. B. Philomontanus mahmoudi sp. nov. C. Philomontanus baloutchi sp. nov..

Bozorgi, Seiedy, Malek, Aira, Pérez-Losada & Domínguez, 2019

 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208904

Abstract

Lumbricidae taxonomy is vastly restricted by the morphological simplicity of earthworms and their lack of complex appendices. This has led to confusing results in the Lumbricidae classifications, which in turn, has hindered our ability to identify and assign new and cryptic species to the family. Here we propose the addition of a new Lumbricidae genus from the Zagros and Elburz Mountains of Iran, i.e. Philomontanus gen. nov., including three new species. Our taxonomic inferences were based on the phylogenetic analysis of two nuclear gene regions (28S rDNA and 18S rDNA) and 11 mitochondrial gene regions (16S rDNA, 12S rDNA, NADH dehydrogenase I, cytochrome oxidase subunits I and II and tRNAs Asn, Asp, Val, Leu, Ala and Ser). Philomontanus gen. nov. comprises the earthworm species Philomontanus sarii sp. nov., Philomontanus mahmoudi sp. nov. and Philomontanus baloutchi sp. nov. These three species are morphologically similar to each other with only a few characters separating them (e.g. size, pigmentation and position of clitellum). Our findings support the adoption of an integrative approach including molecular information (e.g., DNA sequences) to aid earthworm classification and develop a robust taxonomy.

Fig 1. Study area in the Zagros and Elburz Mountains of Iran (This map is originally created by first author, using ArcGIS, Mapping & Analytical platform.
Red, Type locality of Philomontanus sarii sp. nov., Elburz Mountains.
Green, Type locality of Philomontanus mahmoudi sp. nov., Zagros Mountains.
Blue, Type locality of Philomontanus baloutchi sp. nov., Zagros Mountains.

Taxonomy

Phylum Annelida Lamarck, [1802]

Class Oligochaeta Grube, [1850]/ Clitellata Michaelsen, [1919]

Order Megadrilli Benham, [1890] /Haplotaxida Michaelsen, [1900]

Family Lumbricidae Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1815

Genus Philomontanus gen. nov.  

Diagnosis: Setae widely distant. Pigmentation variable, red-violet or totally pale. Prostomium epi- or tanylobous. First dorsal pore around 7/8. Male pore on 15 very small, on setal line bc. Clitellum annular. Spermathecae, which are small and round shaped present, frequently empty in 9/10–10/11 and open in setal line cd. Tubercula pubertatis ribbon shape. Nephridiopores aligned in setal bc. Two pairs of testes and funnels in segments 10–11, not iridescent. Four pairs of seminal vesicles in 9–12, those in 11 and 12 are slightly smaller than others. Two pairs of small, roundly shaped and almost empty spermathecae in 9/10 and 10/11 and open in setae line cd. Calciferous glands in segments 11 with hardly recognizable diverticula. Excretory system holoic, nephridial bladders ocarina shape. Typhlosole simple lamelliform, the cross-section of longitudinal muscle layer is of pinnate type. Since the morphological characters above are not sufficient to pinpoint the taxonomic position of Philomontanus in the Lumbricidae, we have used phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences to determine its taxonomic position and closest relatives.

Type species: Philomontanus sarii sp. nov. by original designation herein.

Included species: Philomontanus sarii sp. nov., P. mahmoudi sp. nov. and P. baloutchi sp. nov.

Etymology. Philomontanus is composed of Philo (Greek prefix means liking for specified thing) and montanus (Latin noun means mountains). This name has been chosen as new genus and its three species have been found in mountains.

Fig 3. Ventrolateral view of the Philomontanus species. Arrows point to tubercula pubertatis 
A. Philomontanus sarii sp. nov. B. Philomontanus mahmoudi sp. nov. C. Philomontanus baloutchi sp. nov..

Philomontanus sarii Bozorgi & Malek sp. nov. 

Etymology. The new species name was chosen to honor Dr. Alireza Sari, who has done extensive research on various aspects of Iranian fauna.

Philomontanus mahmoudi Bozorgi & Malek sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species is named in memory of coauthor Masoumeh Malek’s father.

Philomontanus baloutchi Bozorgi & Malek sp. nov.  

Etymology. The new species is named in memory of Dr. Mohammad Baloutch, who was a prominent zoology professor in Iran.

 Fig 5. Sampling sites of new species.
(A1, A2) Mazandaran, Abbasabad (36.72 o N; 51.11o E), Elburz Mountains, sampling site of  Philomontanus sarii sp. nov.
(B1, B2) Kurdistan, Kamyaran (35.49o N; 46.35o E), Zagros Mountains, sampling site of Philomontanus mahmoudi sp. nov. 
 (C1, C2) Kurdistan, Baneh (35.99o N; 45.88o E), Zagros Mountains, sampling site of Philomontanus baloutchi sp. nov..

 Farnaz Bozorgi, Marjan Seiedy, Masoumeh Malek, Manuel Aira, Marcos Pérez-Losada and Jorge Domínguez. 2019. Multigene Phylogeny reveals A New Iranian Earthworm Genus (Lumbricidae: Philomontanus) with Three New Species.  PLoS ONE. 14(1): e0208904. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208904

     

[Invertebrate • 2020] Amynthas whitteni • A New Species of Earthworm (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from Mawlamyine, Myanmar

 Amynthas whitteni

Bantaowong, Chanabun & Panha, 2020

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. Supplement No. 35.

 Abstract

 Amynthas whitteni, a new species of earthworm from Mawlamyine, Myanmar, is described herein based on anatomical and morphological characteristics. The new species belongs to the andersoni species group and is closely related to Amynthas andersoni, but was easily distinguished from it by the position and shape of the postclitellar genital markings. 

Key words: Amynthas, earthworms, Megascolecidae, Myanmar

Fig. 1.  Amynthas whitteni, new species. A, B, paratypes just after anaesthesia step in 30% (v/v) ethanol, dorsal and lateral view; C, colouration of ventral view, with male pores and genital markings. Photographs by R. Srisonchai.

Family Megascolecidae Rosa, 1891 

Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 

Amynthas whitteni, new species

Diagnosis. Length 190–265 mm, diameter 8.5–10 mm, segments 98–152. Male pores paired in XVIII, each represented by a glandular area, genital markings unpaired, midventral (MV) in intersegments 17/18–19/20; sometimes in 20/21. Spermathecal pore paired, minute in intersegments 5/6–8/9. Spermathecae large ovoid sac, diverticulum as long as ampulla, weakly crooked in middle. Holandric, intestinal caeca simple, first dorsal pore in 12/13. Prostate gland compact in XVII–XVIII, its duct long and U-shaped. No genital marking glands.

Etymology. Amynthas whitteni is named in honour of the late Dr. Tony Whitten of FFI, who contributed extensively to our knowledge of cave invertebrates and initiated several projects on Asian biodiversity from Indonesia to China, Vietnam and Myanmar.

 Ueangfa Bantaowong, Ratmanee Chanabun and Somsak Panha. 2020. Amynthas whitteni, A New Species of Earthworm from Mawlamyine, Myanmar (Clitellata: Megascolecidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. Supplement No. 35; 17-21. 

lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2020/03/s35rbz17-21.pdf

[Invertebrate • 2019] Placobdelloides sirikanchanae • A New Species of Glossiphoniid Leech (Hirudinea, Rhynchobdellida) and A Parasite of Turtles from lower southern Thailand

Placobdelloides sirikanchanae (arrows) 
on the Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata (Gray, 1831)) (left) and the dark-bellied leaf turtle (C. enigmatica Fritz et al., 2008) (right).

 Trivalairat, Chiangkul & Purivirojkul, 2019
ปลิงอาจารย์ประไพสิริ  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.882.35229

Abstract

 A new species of glossiphoniid leech, Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov., is reported in the Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) and the dark-bellied leaf turtle (C. enigmatica) from Songkhla Province, southern Thailand. The examination of morphological characters revealed that this new species is similar to P. siamensis (Oka, 1917), a common turtle leech species found in Thailand. Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov. demonstrates distinct morphological characters, with an elongated, narrow body, 13–17 well-developed knob papillae on each annulus, dark brown to greenish dorsal color with a crimson median line, the absence of a scarlet dot, different male and female gonopore distributions, a rough posterior sucker with a random pit distribution, and 104–115 eggs per clutch. The phylogenetic relationships of COI-ND1 genes were clarified and shown to be distinct from those of P. siamensis. Additionally, habitat preferences tended toward low oxygen conditions such as puddles or water patches on rubber plantations.

Keywords: Clitellata, Cyclemys, Glossiphoniidae, Hirudinea, leaf turtle, Songkhla

Placobdelloides Sawyer, 1986

Type species: Placobdelloides multistriata (Johansson, 1909) by original designation.

Genus diagnosis: eyes one pair, esophageal organ, crop caeca seven pairs, mouth pore terminal (Oosthuizen 1979).

Genus distribution: Placobdelloides species can be found in Africa (P. fimbriata (Johansson, 1909); P. jaegerskioeldi (Johansson, 1909); P. multistriata (Johansson, 1909)), Australia and United States, eastward to India (P. fulva (Harding, 1924); P. emydae (Harding, 1920); P. undulata (Harding, 1924); P. horai (Baugh, 1960); P. indica (Baugh, 1960)), Southeast Asia (P. siamensis in China and Thailand; P. okadai (Oka, 1925) in China; P. okai (Soós, 1969); P. stellapapillosa Govedich et al., 2002 in Malaysia and Singapore), and throughout Australia and New Zealand (P. octostriata (Grube, 1866); P. maorica (Benham, 1907); P. bancrofti (Best, 1931); P. bdellae (Ingram, 1957)).

Figure 2. Dorsal surface (upper) and ventral surface (lower) of the live holotype of Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov.

Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov.

Material examined: Holotype (ZMKU-ANN-0006), puddle on rubber plantation, Sadao District, Songkhla Province, Thailand , 21 October 2018. Paratypes (nine individuals, ZMKU-ANN-0007 to 0015), same locality data as the holotype. All collected specimens were kept in 70% alcohol and deposited at the Zoological Museum of Kasetsart University (ZMKU), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University on 23 November 2018.

Diagnosis: This species can be recognized from its elongated, narrow body, crimson median dorsal line, rich dark green pigmentation, 13–17 well-developed knob papillae on each annulus, symmetrical dorsal papillae between the left and right body sides, male gonopore on XIa1/a2, female gonopore on XIa3/XIIa1, amorphous salivary glands, smooth surface with random pits inside the anterior sucker, and rugged surface with randomly distributed pits inside the posterior sucker.

Etymology: The species is named in honor of Associate Professor Prapaisiri Sirikanchana, the pioneer aquatic parasitologist of Thailand. The following common names, Sirikanchana’s leech (English), Pling Arjan Prapaisiri (Thai: ปลิงอาจารย์ประไพสิริ), and Sirikanchanas Plattegel (German) are suggested.

Figure 1. Live Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov. (arrows) on the Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata (Gray, 1831)) (left) and the dark-bellied leaf turtle (C. enigmatica Fritz et al., 2008) (right): carapace (lower), plastron (upper).

Type host: Dark-bellied leaf turtles (Cyclemys enigmatica).

Additional host: Asian leaf turtles (C. dentata).

Habitat: Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov. can be found attached on the shell surface, both the carapace and plastron, of C. dentata and C. enigmatica, which inhabit the bottom of enclosed shallow muddy puddles on rubber plantations. In the rainy season, several puddles will be connected due to an increase in the water level. Numerous small vertebrates are present in these puddles, such as small fishes or tadpoles. In the dry season, the puddles will be disconnected as the shallower waters disappear from evaporation. These aquatic ecosystems usually have low oxygen due to decomposition of leaf litter and nonflowing water.

 Poramad Trivalairat, Krittiya Chiangkul and Watchariya Purivirojkul. 2019. Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov., A New Species of Glossiphoniid Leech and A Parasite of Turtles from lower southern Thailand (Hirudinea, Rhynchobdellida). ZooKeys. 882: 1-24. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.882.35229

[Invertebrate • 2019] Petroscolex centenarius • A New Central African Earthworm (Crassiclitellata, Eudrilidae), Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Pietro Omodeo

Petroscolex centenarius Csuzdi, Szederjesi & Sherlock

in Csuzdi, Rota, Szederjesi, Sherlock, Brown, et al. 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4674.5.1 

Abstract

Prof. Pietro Omodeo (University of Siena, Italy), the world-renowned earthworm taxonomist and evolutionary biologist, was born in Cefalù, Sicily, Italy on the 27th September, 1919. He celebrates his 100th birthday in 2019 and members of the international community of earthworm taxonomists salute him with Petroscolex centenarius gen. et sp. nov., a new megadrile taxon discovered in 1991 by him but which has not been formally described until now. The many important contributions of Omodeo to oligochaetological research are briefly mentioned.

Keywords: Annelida, Centenarium, Oligochaeta, taxonomy, new genus, Central-Africa

FIGURE 2. Petroscolex centenarius sp. nov., photographs of type material.
 A. Holotype, complete worm, ventral view. B. Details of A, enlarged. C. Paratype NHMUK 1997.1595, ventral view, anterior body end.

pe = penis (=everted bursa copulatrix); prp = prostatic pore; stp = spermathecal pore. 

Scale bar = 1 mm.

Taxonomy: 

Family Eudrilidae Claus, 1880

Subfamily Eudrilinae Claus, 1880

Petroscolex Csuzdi, Szederjesi & Sherlock, gen. nov.

Type species. Petroscolex centenarius sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Eudrilinae with single midventral prostatic pore in xiii and single midventral spermathecal pore in xviii. Female pores paired in xiv close to 14/15 near d. Oesophageal gizzard in vi, intestinal gizzards absent. Dorsal blood vessel simple throughout. Paired calciferous glands in xiv and unpaired chylus-sacs in ix, x, xi. Male genital apparatus proandric with sperm reservoirs in x and vesicles in xi. Excretory system holoic, vesiculate. Ovo-spermathecal apparatus paired with a dorsal interconnecting duct. Penial setae lacking.

Etymology. The new genus is named in honour of Prof. Pietro Omodeo.

Remarks. The new genus is unique among Eudrilidae due to the forward shift of the prostatic pore and the position of calciferous glands in segment xiv.

Petroscolex centenarius Csuzdi, Szederjesi & Sherlock, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the 100th birthday of Prof. Pietro Omodeo.

 Csaba Csuzdi, Emilia Rota, Tímea Szederjesi, Emma Sherlock, George G. Brown, Chih-Han Chang, Darío Diaz Cosin, Carlos Fragoso, et al. 2019. Description of A New Central African Earthworm, Petroscolex centenarius gen. et sp. nov. (Crassiclitellata, Eudrilidae), Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Pietro Omodeo. Zootaxa. 4674(5); 501-508. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4674.5.1

Riassunto: Pietro Omodeo (Università di Siena, Italia), oligochetologo e biologo evoluzionista di fama mondiale, è nato a Cefalù, in Sicilia, Italia, il 27 settembre 1919. Celebra il suo centesimo compleanno nel 2019 e la comunità internazionale di tassonomia dei lombrichi lo saluta con Petroscolex centenarius gen. et sp. nov., un nuovo taxon di megadrili da lui scoperto nel 1991, fino ad oggi non formalmente descritto. I molteplici importanti contributi di Omodeo alla ricerca oligochetologica sono brevemente ricordati.

[Invertebrate • 2019] Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis & S. cavatuses • Vampire in the Darkness: A New Genus and Species of Land Leech (Hirudinea: Arhynchobdellida: Haemadipsidae) Exclusively Bloodsucking Cave-dwelling Bats from China

Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis Liu, Huang & Liu

in Huang, Liu, Gong, Wu, Liu, et al., 2019.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.2.2

  JSU.edu.cn

Abstract 

Land leeches in the family Haemadipsidae are mostly from the humid tropical rainforest habitats and habitually take blood from the body of human and other animals. In the present study, we report a new species, Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n., from caves in the northern subtropical Wuling Mountains of central-south China that feeds blood exclusively on cave-dwelling bats. Based on morphological characteristics, COI gene sequence divergence, and phylogenetic analysis, a new genus Sinospelaeobdella gen. n. is established for the new species, to which a previously described species Haemadipsa cavatuses Yang et al., 2009 is transferred as S. cavatuses comb. n. We also provided extended discussion on phylogenetic relationship within the “Tritetrabdellinae” clade uncovered in a previous study, DNA taxonomy, morphological and behavioral adaptions, biogeography, and possible involvement of Sinospelaeobdella gen. n. in bat transmitted diseases of public concerns. 

Key words: Land leeches, Sinospelaeobdella gen. n., Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n., DNA taxonomy, Phylogeny, Cave-dwelling bats

FIGURE 5. The four stages of life cycle in Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n. 

 (A, mating behavior; B, external feature of reproductive individual; C, cocoon; D, larva) and

 blood-sucking on the hindfoot of Rhinolophus sinicus (E).

Taxonomy

Family Haemadipsidae Blanchard, 1892

Genus Sinospelaeobdella Liu, Huang, and Liu gen. n.

Etymology: The name for the new genus derives from Σινων (Sinon) , meaning Chinese / China, σπηλαιον (spelaeon), cave, or subterranean, βδελλα (bdella), land leech, Sino-spelaeo-bdella = Sinospelaeobdella.

  Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis Liu, Huang, and Liu, sp. n.

  Etymology: The specific name is derived from the type locality in “Wuling Mountains”, a mountain range stretching from western Hunan Province to eastern Guizhou Province and southeastern Hubei Province of China.

Biology: Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n. lives on the ceiling of wet karstic caves, a stable microhabitat with an average temperature at 17°C and relative humidity at 91%. ... Both adults and larvae suck blood on hindfoot (Fig. 5E) of several bat species, including Rhinolophus sinicus Andersen, R. pearsonii Horsfield, R. pusillus Temminck, R. macrotis Blyth and Hipposideros armiger (Hodgson).

 Taifu Huang, Zhiwei Liu, Xiaoyan Gong, Tao Wu, Hui Liu, Jiaxin Deng, Youxiang Zhang, Qingzhong Peng, Libiao Zhang and Zhixiao Liu. 2019. Vampire in the Darkness: A New Genus and Species of Land Leech Exclusively Bloodsucking Cave-dwelling Bats from China (Hirudinda: Arhynchobdellida: Haemadipsidae). Zootaxa. 4560(2); 257–272.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.2.2

 刘志霄教授课题组发现洞穴陆生蛭类新属种 JSU.edu.cn/info/1081/11956.htm

[Invertebrate • 2016] Tritetrabdella longiducta • A New Species of Tritetrabdella (Hirudinida: Hirudiniformes: Haemadipsidae) from northern Indochina

 Tritetrabdella longiducta 

Nakano, Jeratthitikul, Nguyen & Panha, 2016

Abstract

 A new species of the terrestrial haemadipsid genus Tritetrabdella, Tritetrabdella longiducta, from northern Indochina is described. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of triannulate somite VII, uniannulate somite XXV, three lobes of respiratory auricles in somites XXV–XXVII, 57 friction rays on caudal sucker, male gonopore (in somite XI b5/b6) and female gonopore (in somite XII b5) positions and slightly folded vaginal sac. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA, in addition to mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I markers, confirmed that the new species forms a unique lineage among the known congeners. A key to all the species of Tritetrabdella is provided.

Key words. Hirudinida, Haemadipsidae, Tritetrabdella, phylogenetic analyses, Thailand, Vietnam

Distribution. Known only from the type locality and Ta Co, Son La Province in northern Vietnam (Fig. 1). The elevations of the localities were more than 700 m above sea level. The individual from Doi Phuka was found on soil around a decayed banana tree containing very high moisture.

Natural history. The hosts are not known because the specimens examined were collected free-living, but are presumed to include amphibians (Lai & Chen, 2010). The Vietnamese individual was collected when it was climbing the third author; therefore, mammals may also be hosts of T. longiducta.

Etymology. The specific name is a compound adjective derived from the Latin words, longus (long), and ductus (duct), referring to the fact that the common oviduct of this species nearly equals the length of its vaginal duct, a diagnostic character of the species.

Takafumi Nakano, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Tao Thien Nguyen and Somsak Panha. 2016. A New Species of Tritetrabdella (Hirudinida: Hirudiniformes: Haemadipsidae) from northern Indochina. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 64: 105–116

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol64/64rbz105-116.pdf

[Invertebrate • 2013] Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis • Genetics and Morphology of the Genus Tritetrabdella (Hirudinea, Haemadipsidae) from the Mountainous Rain Forests of Sabah, Borneo, Reveal A New Species with Two New Subspecies

Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis  Kappes, 2013

repository.naturalis.nl 

Abstract 

Blood-feeding terrestrial leeches of the family Haemadipsidae are a notorious part of the invertebrate diversity in Asian and Australian rain forests. All hitherto published records of terrestrial leeches of Borneo belong to the genus Haemadipsa. Here, a second, poorly known haemadipsid genus is reported from Mount Kinabalu and Crocker Range National Park. The individuals were barcoded and compared to sequences available in GenBank. The results show that the genus Tritetrabdella has representatives in the Indochinese and the Sundaic bioregions. All six specimens from Borneo are from a single new Tritetrabdella lineage, Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis spec. nov. Within the Bornean lineage, two groups differing 4-5% in the COI barcoding sequence were identified. Because 1) it is probable that haemadipsid COI is subjected to base pair substitution rates of 2.5% per Ma, 2) COI protein sequences were the same within the Bornean material, 3) color can change as a response to the environment, 4) the lineages inhabit different altitudes in separate areas and 5) only six individuals were found, a conservative approach was taken and the groups were tentatively given subspecies status: T. k. kinabaluensis ssp. nov. and T. k. inobongensis ssp. nov. The ecology and the conservation status of the Bornean Tritetrabdella warrant urgent assessment because the genus Tritetrabdella is considered as mainly feeding on amphibians and probably small mammals, and thus can be predicted to be sensitive to climatic fluctuations, forest disturbances and fragmentation, and amphibian decline.

Key words: Annelida, Clitellata, ecological specialization, genetic distance, parasite, phylogeny, speciation, tropical mountains

Fig. 3. Color variation in Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis spec. nov. from the three locations:
a) and b) T. k. inobongensis ssp. nov. from Inobong substation; c) T. k. kinabaluensis ssp. nov. (SP13398) from Gunung Alab; d) T. k. kinabaluensis ssp. nov. (SP13306) from Kinabalu Park Headquarters; e) ventro-lateral closeup of the head region (SP13398, ethanol-preserved); f) comparison of ethanol-preserved individuals (from left to right: SP13398, SP13306, and SP13383; lateral incisions are from tissue removal for DNA extraction). The yellowish color in the preserved SP13306 occurred during ethanol preservation.

Systematics

Phylum: Annelida

Class: Clitellata

Subclass: Hirudinea

Order: Arhynchobdellida

Suborder: Hirudiniformes

Family: Haemadipsidae Blanchard, 1893

Genus: Tritetrabdella Moore, 1937

Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis spec. nov. (Figs 1-7)

The type of the new species is proposed to be the same as that of its nominal subspecies Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis kinabaluensis ssp. nov., namely, Sabah Parks collection number SP13398.

Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis kinabaluensis ssp. nov. 

Etymology. Named after the sacred mountain, Mount Kinabalu, in Crocker Range, Sabah, Borneo.

 Diagnosis. Dorsum of unstressed individuals creamy-white with three darker, brownish stripes with black border, one median stripe located dorsally, the other two stripes supramarginally on each side (Fig. 3d). Brownish stripes somewhat variable in coloration (Fig. 3): middle field dark brown to median brown, bordered by rather broad blackish lines, loops form ‘bubbles’ or circles which reach the lateral stripes (Fig. 3), lateral

Etymology. Named after the sacred mountain, Mount Kinabalu, in Crocker Range, Sabah, Borneo.

Distribution. So far, only known from two locations, namely Gunung Alab in Crocker Range National Park and Mount Kinabalu Park Headquarters, in Sabah, Borneo, at altitudes between 1500 and 1900 m.a.s.l.

Ecology. So far, only known from cold and moist mossy temperate rain forests on acidic soils, one at an often cloud-covered mountain top. Its host(s) are unknown, but the two specimens somehow were attracted to man.


Tritetrabdella kinabaluensis inobongensis ssp. nov.

Etymology. Named as coming from the Inobong substation in Crocker Range, Sabah, Borneo, where the specimens were collected.

Distribution. So far, only known from the type locality in Crocker Range.

Ecology. So far, only known to occur in low altitude dipterocarp forests. Its host(s) are unknown, but the specimens seemed to be attracted by man.


Heike Kappes. 2013. Genetics and Morphology of the Genus Tritetrabdella (Hirudinea, Haemadipsidae) from the Mountainous Rain Forests of Sabah, Borneo, Reveal A New Species with Two New Subspecies. Contributions to Zoology. 82(4) 185-197.

http://repository.naturalis.nl/document/508181