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| Amynthas whitteni
Bantaowong, Chanabun & Panha, 2020
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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
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| 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.
