Rhododrilus sexpapillatus n.sp. (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from New Zealand

Abstract

A new earthworm species belonging to the acanthodriline genus Rhododrilus is described from the North Island of New Zealand, elevating the generic total (excluding Australian forms) to 30 species. The new taxon forms part of the species-group with incomplete fusion of the male and prostatic terminalia. Its most closely related congener is the geographically proximate R. papaensis. Though exhibiting great heterogeneity, suggestive of polyphyly, the genus remains taxonomically convenient. It probably encompasses convergent forms, the ancestral affinities of which may never be ascertained.     

Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., a new lumbriculid (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from North America

A new species of the genus Stylodrilus is described from phreatic waters in California, North America. Tubular atria with bulbous penes and spermathecae with broad and short ducts characterize the new species. The habitat of Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., confirms that the distribution of the genus Stylodrilus in the Neartic biogeographical zone is mainly associated with subterranean waters.     

Iodination activity in Eisenia foetida (Annelida,Oligochaeta)

Summary In the nervous system of the earthworm Eisenia foetida, we have previously found thyroglobulin-like immunoreactive neurons. In the present study iodination activity was investigated by injecting worms or incubating them in vivo with radioiodine; animals treated with methimazole (MMI), an inhibitor of peroxidase-catalyzed iodination, served as controls. Radioiodinated proteins were identified in soluble extracts from ¹²⁵I-incubated animals; the sedimentation pattern of soluble proteins from cephalic segments showed a peak of radioactivity in the 3–4 S region. In animals pretreated with 10^-3 M MMI for 48 h, ¹²⁵I-incorporation into soluble proteins from cephalic segments was drastically reduced. Light-microscopic autoradiographic studies showed silver-grains selectively concentrated in the brain and ventral nerve cord of ¹²⁵I-injected animals. The highest grain-density occurred in the cerebral ganglion beginning 5 min after tracer injection; the reaction product was mainly distributed between the neurosecretory cells and neuropile fibres in the zone of the presumptive plexiform neurohaemal complex. In MMI-pretreated animals the reaction product was not visible in either cerebral ganglion or ventral nerve cord. Of interest, the setae appeared consistently positive with or without MMI treatment. These observations indicate that protein iodination involving peroxidase occurs in the nervous system of earthworms and suggest that iodination mechanisms, other than peroxidase-catalyzed, may be operating in some scleroprotein structures such as setae.     

High genetic divergence of hormogastrid earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta) in the central Iberian Peninsula: evolutionary and demographic implications

Hormogastridae earthworms are highly important for the functioning of the Mediterranean soil system. However, little is known about the species distribution and genetic diversity of these soil invertebrates. In the present study, the genetic differentiation and gene flow were studied among populations of hormogastrids from the central Iberian Peninsula. A 648-bp portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene was sequenced for 82 individuals from 7 localities, resulting in the identification of 38 haplotypes exclusive to localities. All of the individuals were morphologically identified as Hormogaster elisae , but the high genetic divergence found among populations (up to 20.20%) suggests the occurrence of more than one cryptic species within this region. Further analysis of the phylogenetic relationships revealed six different evolutionary lineages coincident with geographical location, including the two nearest populations Molar and Redueña as one evolutionary unit. From these results, at least three new species could be inferred, in addition to the morphospecies H. elisae s.s . Partitioning of genetic variance among populations indicated that isolation by distance was the primary agent for differentiation of the investigated hormogastrid populations. Our data suggest that the evolutionary lineages for H. elisae s.l. originated between the late Miocene and the early Pleistocene, but that mtDNA genealogies coalesce on a more recent scale of a few thousand years.     

The species-area relationship of European Lumbricidae (Annelida,Oligochaeta)

Summary Studies throughout Europe reporting species lists of lumbricid earthworms and ranging from 100 m² to >500000 km² are analysed for the regression of species number S on size of area A [km²]. This species-area relation is described by: S=7.9*A^0.09 (r=0.76).Revised version of a poster presented at the Wilhelm Michaelsen Memorial Symposium (International Symposium on Terrestrial Oligochaeta), Hamburg Sept. 14–18th 1987     

New alluroidids (Annelida,Clitellata) from Guyana

A total of 30 microbialites at two sites in Lake Clifton, Yalgorup National Park, Western Australia, were sampled by coring to quantify the associated fauna with these organo-sedimentary structures. Twenty five species of aquatic fauna were recorded from the cores, comprising 20 species of metazoan, predominantly Crustacea (including Melita kauerti (Amphipoda), Exosphaeroma cf. serventii (Isopoda); and Cyprideis australiensis(Ostracoda); Polychaeta (Capitella cf. capitata); nematodes; and five species of Foraminifera (Protista). Multivariate analysis of the five numerically most abundant taxa (amphipods, isopods, ostracods, polychaetes, nematodes) separated microbialites by season and submergence. Numbers of all taxa, particularly polychaetes and amphipods, were much higher in spring than in autumn, and in permanently-inundated than in seasonally-inundated microbialites. The exception was higher numbers of juvenile polychaetes in seasonally-inundated microbialites at the northern site in spring. This study showed that modern thrombolitic microbialites can co-exist with a diverse invertebrate fauna and serves as a baseline for future studies of interactions between microbialites and fauna.     

Two new freshwater fish species of the genus Telestes (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) from karst poljes in Eastern Herzegovina and Dubrovnik littoral (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia)

Two new species, Telestes dabar and Telestes miloradi, are described on the basis of morphological comparisons of isolated geographical populations of fishes identified earlier as Telestes metohiensis. A lectotype is designated for Telestes metohiensis, whose range is shown to include waters of Gatačko, Cerničko, and Nevesinjsko poljes in Eastern Herzegovina. Telestes dabar from Dabarsko Polje (Eastern Herzegovina) and Telestes miloradi from Konavosko Polje (south Croatia) share with Telestes metohiensis the following combination of characters that distinguish them from the rest of the genus Telestes: pharyngeal teeth in one row, usually 5–4; preoperculo-mandibular canal not communicating with the infraorbital canal; mouth subterminal, the tip of the mouth cleft on or below the level of the ventral margin of the eye; postcleithrum minute or absent; ventral portion of the trunk with a dark stripe on a pale background; and dorsal portion of trunk uniformly dark and bordered ventrally by a dark midlateral stripe. Telestes dabar and Telestes miloradi are distinguishable from Telestes metohiensis in usually having 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. usually 7½), 9 or 10 gill rakers (vs. 7–10, usually 8), and the dark stripe on the ventral portion of the trunk below the main pigmented area of the back narrow and usually not reaching posteriorly to the caudal peduncle (vs. dark stripe wide and extending posteriorly to the caudal peduncle). Telestes dabar is distinguished from Telestes miloradi by having scales on most of the body situated close to one another and overlapping in a region behind the pectoral girdle and usually on the caudal peduncle (vs. overlapping scales on most of the body); the lateral line usually incomplete and interrupted, with 24–69, usually 54–65, total scales (vs. lateral line usually complete, with 55–67 total scales); scales above and below the lateral line slightly smaller than lateral-line scales (vs. of about equal size); head width 43–52% HL (vs. 48–58% HL); and lower jaw length 10–12% SL or 36–41% HL (vs. 8–10% SL or 33–38% HL). Telestes miloradi, a very local endemic species,is known only by historical samples. Telestes dabar is an abundant fish in Dabarsko Polje, but its range is critically restricted during the dry season by a few permanent sources. Nothing is known about its occurrence in underground karst waters.     

Notes on Metaphire multitheca (Chen, 1938) (Oligochaeta,Megascolecidae) recorded from Vietnam,with descriptions of two new species

The paper deals with Pheretima multitheca multitheca Chen, 1938 recorded from Vietnam (non Pheretima multitheca Chen, 1938 now in Metaphire from Hainan Island). As a result, a new species, Amynthas erroneous sp. n., is revealed from materials which were previously misidentified as Pheretima multitheca multitheca. The new species is obviously distinguished from other Amynthas species by multiple spermathecal pores lateroventral in intersegments 5/6/7/8/9, and presence of two pairs of crescentic genital markings in xviii. In addition, another new species, Amynthas nhonmontis sp. n., is described and easily recognized by multiple spermathecal pores ventral in intersegments 5/6/7/8 and three pairs of genital markings in xvii, xix and xx.     

Martiodrilus olivaceous and M. panamensis, new earthworms from Colombia and Panama (Oligochaeta, Glossoscolecidae)

Two large (500-700 mm) species of Martiodrilus Michaelsen, 1937 are described from central Panama and southern Colombia. Both have polystomate nephridia, some reduced head segments, and complex folded typhlosoles. The first two conditions arc known from M. crassus Rosa 1896 and Thamnodriloides yunkeri Gates 1968. The systematic importance of polystomate nephridia and segment loss cannot be resolved without further information. Segment loss is common and variable within other glossoscoleeid genera. The two species differ as follows, the characteristics of M. olivaceous given first: tubercula pubertatis in xvii-xxv vs xviii-xxiv; small blood vessels parallel to the commissures and connected to the calciferous glands in vii-ix vs lacking these vessels; dorsal trunk ending in v vs ending in vii; intestinal nephridia with 40-50 nephrostomes vs 20-30; peptonephridia all stomate vs peptonephridia astomate in iv-vii; genital setae with 11 gouges in each of three rows, gouges ending 75 microns from tip vs 9 or 10 gouges per row, ending 200 microns from tip; spermathecae 1-4 pairs per segment each with its own duct vs 2 pairs per segment, the two of a side sharing a common duct.     

New species,new genera,and new records in Cerambycidae from Peru (Coleoptera)

Three new species and two new genera of longhorn beetles are described from Peru: Cosmoplatus polis n. sp. (Pteroplatini), Hemilocallia grishami n. gen., n. sp. (Calliini) and Arabela ramirezi n. gen., n. sp. (Hemilophini). Esmeralda laetifica Bates, 1869 (Prioninae), Stratone transversalis (Chevrolat, 1862) (Cerambycinae), Gymnocerina cratosomoides (Bates, 1862) (Lamiinae), and Trachysomus verrucosus (Olivier, 1795) (Lamiinae) are new records for Peru.     

A review of Cyclidiinae from China (Lepidoptera,Drepanidae)

The subfamily Cyclidiinae from China is reviewed: two genera and seven species are reported from China. One new subspecies, Cyclidiafractifasciataindistinctasubsp. n., is described. Two new synonyms are established: Cyclidiasubstigmaria (Hübner, 1831) (= Cyclidiasubstigmariabrunna Chu & Wang, 1987, syn. n. = Cyclidiatetraspota Chu & Wang, 1987, syn. n.). One misidentification in Chu & Wang (1987) is corrected. Identification keys and diagnoses for all discussed Chinese species are provided. External features and genitalia are depicted. In addition, results of DNA barcoding for five taxa of Cyclidia are briefly discussed.     

A new genus and species in the tribe Empoascini (Hemiptera,Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae) from China

One new leafhopper genus, Circinans, is described with a new species Circinans striata sp. n. as the type species from southern China. Habitus photos and illustrations of male genitalia of this new species are given and differences between the new genus and closely related genera are discussed.     

Thyroglobulin-like immunoreactivity in the nervous system of Eisenia foetida (Annelida,Oligochaeta)

Summary Immunohistochemical studies were performed by use of specific rabbit antisera and purified antibodies to human Tg on cephalic and body sections of Eisenia foetida and on cephalic sections of Lumbricus terrestris. Secondary antisera, either fluorescein- or peroxidase-conjugated, were used to identify the immunoreaction. Immunoreactive perikarya and some immunoreactive nerve fibres were detected in both the cerebral ganglion and the ventral nerve cord of E. foetida. From 8 to 19 Tg-like positive neurons per frontal section were observed in the brain, mainly in the dorsal zone. From 2 to 4 positive perikarya per ganglion were found in sagittal sections of the ventral nerve cord with a repetitive distribution. Numerous positive neurons were also found in the cephalic segments of L. terrestris. The present results indicate that a substance immunologically related to mammalian Tg is synthesized in earthworms. This suggests that some conservative sequences of Tg structure arose very early in evolution and supports the idea of a common evolutionary origin for endocrine and nervous systems.     

Taxonomy and new bacterial symbioses of gutless marine Tubificidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) from the Island of Elba (Italy)

In shallow sublittoral sediments of the north-west coast of the Island of Elba, Italy, a new gutless marine oligochaete, Olavius ilvae n. sp., was found together with a congeneric but not closely related species, O. algarvensis Giere et al., 1998. In diagnostic features of the genital organs, the new species differs from other Olavius species in having bipartite atria and very long, often folded spermathecae, but lacking penial chaetae. The Elba form of O. algarvensis has some structural differences from the original type described from the Algarve coast (Portugal). The two species from Elba share characteristics not previously reported for gutless oligochaetes: the lumen of the body cavity is unusually constricted and often filled with chloragocytes, and the symbiotic bacteria are often enclosed in vacuoles of the epidermal cells. Regarding the bacterial ultrastructure, the species share three similar morphotypes as symbionts; additionally, in O. algarvensis a rare fourth type was found. The divergence of the symbioses in O. algarvensis, and the coincidence in structural and bacteria-symbiotic features between the two taxonomically different, but syntopic host species at Elba are discussed.     

A new Stygonitocrella Petkovski (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from a cave in Northern Mexico with comments on the taxonomy of the genus

The cave-dwelling harpacticoid copepod fauna of Mexico is still yet to be known. There are only a few records related to karstic caves, but most refer to epigean forms. The analysis of samples collected in a cave system in Northern Mexico yielded two female specimens of an unknown harpacticoid copepod species which is described herein. It was assigned to the genus Stygonitocrella Petkovski, 1976 mainly because of the presence of a single endopodal segment on legs 1–4; the new species, S. mexicana n. sp. differs from its congeners by a combination of characters related to the segmentation and armature of the swimming legs 1–4, the fifth leg of the female, and the strcture of the antennae. Based on the current limits of Stygonitocrella, two new subgenera are proposed to recognize different morphological patterns based on the presence or absence of an inner baseoendopodal lobe in the female fifth leg, a character not evaluated before. This lobe is absent in the new species and in other five species now contained in the subgenus Eustygonitocrella. A lobe is present in the new subgenus Fiersiella, also with six species. This is the second record of Stygonitocrella in North America, after S. (Fiersiella) sequoyahi Reid, Hunt & Stanley, 2003; it is the only North American cave-dwelling species of the genus. It is suggested that the influence of marine transgressions in Northern Mexico was related to the origin of the new species as part of a group of troglobitic forms originated from marine interstitial ancestors that colonized the freshwater caves. A key for the identification of all the known species of Stygonitocrellais also provided.     

New earthworm species of the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 from Thailand (Clitellata, Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae)

Four new species of terrestrial earthworms from the zebrus-group in the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867, are described from Nan province, north Thailand: Amynthas phatubensissp. n., from Tham Pha Tub Arboretum, Amynthas tontongsp. n., from Tontong Waterfall, Amynthas borealissp. n., from Chaloemprakiat district, and Amynthas srinansp. n., from Srinan National Park.After comparing with the two closely related Laos species Amynthas chandyi Hong, 2008 and Amynthas namphouinensis Hong, 2008, the four new species show clear morphological differences, and also it is confirmed that there are no previous records of the species described here. Amynthas phatubensissp. n. is the largest (longest) sized of these earthworms and is the only species that lives in limestone habitats. The genital characters are different among them and also from the two Laotian species. Molecular systematics would be a good method for further analysis of the diversity and species boundaries in SE Asian Amynthas.     

Two new species of Mediomastus (Annelida,Capitellidae) from Tokyo Bay,Japan

Two undescribed species of polychaetes in Mediomastus (Annelida: Capitellidae) were collected from intertidal to shallow habitats in Tokyo Bay, Japan. These are M. duobalteussp. n. and M. hanedaensissp. n.Mediomastus duobalteussp. n. is distinguishable from all congeners by the following characters: 1) segments 3, 4, 8–11 stainable with methyl green, 2) thoracic capillary chaetae unilimbate, 3) abdominal capillary chaetae absent, 4) paddle-like chaetae in the thorax absent, and 5) abdominal hooded hooks not flared. Mediomastus hanedaensissp. n. is similar to M. warrenae Green, 2002, but differs from the latter in the shapes of the thoracic capillary chaetae and the abdominal hooded hooks, and the staining pattern with methyl green. In addition, a key to all Mediomastus species is provided.     

Nervous system dynamics during fragmentation and regeneration in Enchytraeus japonensis (Oligochaeta, Annelida)

Enchytraeus japonensis is a small terrestrial oligochaete which primarily reproduces asexually by fragmentation and regeneration. In order to introduce a molecular approach to the study of regeneration we developed a whole-mount immunostaining procedure for the worm. Using an antibody directed against acetylated tubulin in conjunction with confocal laser-scanning microscopy, we succeeded in clarifying the three- dimensional structure of the entire nervous system in the full-grown worm and its dynamics during the fragmentation and regeneration process. In addition, we examined the expression of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the worm using a fluorescently-labeled antagonist and various antibodies. In particular, we found two circumferential structures in the body wall muscle of each segment that react strongly with α-bungarotoxin, an antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and detected nerve fibers just underneath these structures. During the fragmentation process, the circular body wall muscles contract near one of these circumferential structures in the middle of the segment, which causes constriction and results in fission of the body. This α-bungarotoxin-positive structure was designated the neuromuscular junction of the circular muscle. During the regeneration process nerve fibers grow from the remaining ventral nerve cord and gradually form networks in both the anterior and posterior regeneration buds. The growing fibers extend to the prostomium (a sensory organ) at the anterior end prior to connecting to the presumptive brain rudiment. A neural network appears around the pygidium, and this is followed by growth of the body at the posterior end. The nervous system appears to play an important role in both anterior and posterior regeneration. Received: 9 June 1999 / Accepted: 30 December 1999     

External structures used during attachment and sperm transfer in tubificids (Annelida,Oligochaeta)

The genital region of seven species of Tubificidae has been studied by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The form and the position of penial and spermathecal chaetae, male and spermathecal pores and other special structures have been examined. Peristodrilus montanus shows a special system to hold the partner: the penial chaetae anchor in an elaborated structure of the body wall formed between the spermathecal pores, the `anchorage bridge'. Protuberodrilus tourenqui has a long glandular porophore with the male pores at the tip, allowing contact with the spermathecal pores which are located in deep, close to the mid-ventral line of the body. The grooved and strongly curved penial chaetae of Rhyacodrilus falciformis seem to be used both for attachment and for sperm transfer, entering into the lateral spermathecal pores. The embrace of the partners, as suggested by observations on Psammoryctides barbatus, Potamothrix bavaricus, Potamothrix hammoniensis and Potamothrix heuscheri, seems to be another important mechanism to fix contact between male and spermathecal pores and allow sperm transfer. The spermathecal chaetae could be interpreted as piercing chaetae with a chemical or mechanical stimulating role. Sensitive cilia near the penial chaetae seem to be used by the three rhyacodrilines studied to find the correct anchorage place. There is a great variety of structures which appear to be used for attachment and sperm transfer in tubificids, and consequently their role in the evolution of the whole family may be profound.