[Invertebrate • 2025] Amynthas septuaginta & Metaphire fidelis • Two New Earthworm Species (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from the Mekong River, Thailand

Amynthas septuaginta  Bantaowong & Panha,

in Bantaowong, Chanabun, Nantarat et Panha, 2025. 

  Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8; 

ไส้เดือนริมโขงบึงกาฬ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.267154 

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Abstract

Two new earthworm species are described from the Mekong River, Thailand, namely Amynthas septuaginta Bantaowong & Panha, sp. nov. and Metaphire fidelis Bantaowong & Panha, sp. nov. The former is a small Mekong earthworm in the A. aeruginosus species group with two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8-8/9. It is mainly distinguished from other Amynthas from the Mekong River by its small size (less than 50 mm), and with no genital markings at the male pore region. The latter is distinguished by having four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6-8/9, genital markings paired on xvii, ampulla paddle-shaped, and with diverticulum as a slender tube with a loose loop. Morphological description, taxonomic comments, illustrations, and distribution are provided.

Keywords: Amynthas, Metaphire, taxonomy, Mekong River

External and internal morphology of holotype (CUMZ3831) of Amynthas septuaginta sp. nov.,
A. external ventral view; B. internal dorsal view; C. spermathecae. Dark arrow indicates the connection of the spermathecae and spermathecal pore.

 Amynthas septuaginta Bantaowong & Panha, sp. nov. 

ไส้เดือนริมโขงบึงกาฬ

Metaphire fidelis Bantaowong & Panha, sp. nov.

 ไส้เดือนภักดีแม่น้ำโขง

Ueangfa Bantaowong, Ratmanee Chanabun, Nattawadee Nantarat and Somsak Panha. 2025. Description of Two New Earthworm Species (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from the Mekong River, Thailand.  Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8; 305-312. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.267154  [2025-10-20]

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[Invertebrate • 2025] Amynthas sirindhornae • Cryptic Diversity within the Endemic Mekong Giant Earthworm, Amynthas mekongianus (Cognetti, 1922) (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) across the Lower Mekong River Basin with Descriptions of a New Species

Amynthas sirindhornae Nantarat & Bantaowong,  

in Nantarat, Panha, Chanabun, Inkhavilay et Bantaowong. 2025. 

ไส้เดือนเทพรัตน์แม่น้ำโขง  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.267375

Abstract

The Lower Mekong Basin is recognized as a region of remarkable biodiversity. However, it is currently experiencing severe degradation due to rapid economic development and the intensifying effects of climate change. Numerous species, including earthworms, are under increasing threat. In addition, Amynthas mekongianus (Cognetti, 1922) exhibits considerable intraspecific morphological variability, making its identification challenging. Therefore, the study aims to clarify species boundaries within the A. mekongianus complex in the Lower Mekong River Basin using both morphological and molecular approaches. Specimens were collected from multiple sites in the basin, and analyses revealed at least two putative species. Phylogenetic reconstructions (NJ, ML, and BI) together with species delimitation methods (ASAP, GMYC, and bPTP) consistently supported the recognition of two distinct lineages. These lineages differ primarily in body length, segment number, and spermathecae morphology. Accordingly, they are recognized as A. mekongianus sensu stricto and A. sirindhornae Nantarat & Bantaowong, sp. nov., which is formally described herein. This study enhances understanding of the evolutionary complexity and taxonomic status of the group, providing a foundation for future conservation and management strategies in the region.

Keywords: conservation, earthworm, phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy

A. coloration of living Amynthas sirindhornae sp. nov. 
B. surface casting and C. cocoon.

Amynthas sirindhornae Nantarat & Bantaowong, sp. nov.

ไส้เดือนเทพรัตน์แม่น้ำโขง 

Diagnosis.–Elongate and cylindrical body with 419-494 mm length, width 65–70 mm. Four pairs of spermathecal pores at 5/6–8/9, slit-like. Female pores mid-ventral on xiv. Male pores paired, on round placed disc, protuberant, alate on xviii. Spermathecae ellipsoi-dal ampulla, diverticulum long zig zag loops in the same plane. Testis sacs paired in x and xi. Seminal vesicles paired in xi, xii. Prostate glands paired in xvii-xix. Intestinal caecum simple in xxvii–xxiv.

Nattawadee Nantarat, Somsak Panha, Ratmanee Chanabun, Khamla Inkhavilay and Ueangfa Bantaowong. 2025. Cryptic Diversity within the Endemic Mekong Giant Earthworm, Amynthas mekongianus (Cognetti, 1922) (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) Across the Lower Mekong River Basin with Descriptions of a New Species. Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8; 368-379. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.267375  [2025-10-20]

[Diplopoda • 2025] Desmoxytes chaofa & D. sirindhornae • Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Two New Dragon Millipede Species in the Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Thailand

 

Desmoxytes chaofa  &  D. sirindhornae  Srisonchai, 
กิ้งกือมังกรเจ้าฟ้าหญิง   &   กิ้งกือมังกรสิรินธร 

in Srisonchai, Srikampha, Benchapong et Panha, 2025.

Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8; 

Abstract

Recent field surveys in northern Thailand led to the discovery of two remarkable new species of dragon millipede in the genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923. Using an integrative approach that combined morphological and molecular data, we confirmed the validity of these species, herein described as Desmoxytes chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov. from Mae Hong Son Province and Desmoxytes sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov. from Tak Province. To assess their systematic position and relationships, we conducted morphological examinations and reconstructed the phylogeny based on three gene fragments (COI, 16S rRNA, and 28S rRNA). Phylogenetic analysis supports the validity of these two new species, with genetic divergence in the COI gene clearly distinguishing them from congeners, ranging from 10.67–18.67% for D. chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov. and 10.05–17.91% for D. sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov. (mean = 14.71%). Notably, the phylogenetic tree aligns well with morphological characters, particularly those of the gonopod. Desmoxytes chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov. is closely related to D. octoconigera Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2018, while D. sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov. clusters together with D. des Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016, both pairs exhibiting similarities in body colouration and gonopod telopodite. Based on current data, these two species are considered as narrow endemics and are restricted to limestone rock wall habitats. Complete morphological illustrations of the two new species and a distribution map of all Desmoxytes species are provided.

Keywords: biodiversity, evolution, karst, Southeast Asia, systematics

Photographs of live specimens and habitat of Desmoxytes chaofa sp. nov. (paratypes, MZKKU-MYR0014).(A) male paratype; (B) female paratype; (C) mating couple; (D, E) limestone habitat. Scale bars in centimetres.

Class Diplopoda de Blainville in Gervais, 1844

Order Polydesmida Leach, 1815

Family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889

Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923

Desmoxytes chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov.

กิ้งกือมังกรเจ้าฟ้าหญิง

Etymology.–The originally Thai term ‘chaofa’, a noun in apposition, signifies a royal princess of the Thai monarchy and is bestowed in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Renowned for her dedication to biodiversity research and environ-mental conservation, she has made significant contributions to these fields. With a profound passion for science and nature, she has actively supported research initiatives that deepen the understanding and preservation of Thailand’s rich biodiversity.

Photographs of live specimens and habitat of Desmoxytes sirindhornae sp. nov. (paratypes, MZKKU-MYR0016). (A) male paratype (B) female paratype (C) amorous couple of adults (D, E) limestone habitat. Scale bars in centimetres.

Desmoxytes sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov.

กิ้งกือมังกรสิรินธร

Etymology.– This species is named in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, whose remarkable contributions have significantly advanced biodiversity research and the preservation of Thailand’s natural heritage for future generations. Her unwavering commitment continues to inspire scientists, conservationists, and the public in efforts to safeguard the nation’s ecosystems. She has played a pivotal role in fostering scientific collaborations, supporting re-search institutions, and encouraging young scholars to pursue ecological and environmental studies. Her dedi-cation spans a wide range of conservation initiatives, including the protection of endangered species, forest conservation, and the promotion of sustainable resource management.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Khanet Srikampha, Theemaporn Benchapong and Somsak Panha. 2025. Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Two New Dragon Millipede Species in the Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923 from Thailand (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae). Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8; 79-107. DOI: 10.58837/tnh.25.8.266903  [2025-10-14]

https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tnh/article/view/266903 

[Mollusca • 2025] Clostophis udayaditinus • First Rrecord of the Microsnail Genus Clostophis Benson, 1860 (Eupulmonata: Pupilloidea: Hypselostomatidae) from Cambodia, with Description of A New Species

Clostophis udayaditinus Sutcharit & Panha,

in Sutcharit, Thi, Chantha, Chourn, Sophea, Jeratthitikul, Pholyotha, Siriwut, Srisonchai et Panha, 2025. 

Journal of Conchology. 45(3); 

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Abstract

 Specimens of a new species of hypselostomatid microsnail, Clostophis udayaditinus Sutcharit & Panha, n. sp., were collected from the limestone hills area in Battambang Province, western Cambodia. Besides being a species new to science, this discovery represents a new country record for the genus. The new species differs from all other congeners by its concave-conical shell, with apertural dentition four in number, and hooked parietal and columellar lamellae. Living snails were found crawling on the walls in a cave, and the snails have a colourless, semitransparent soft body.

Key words. Angkor Kingdom, endemic species, limestone, pulmonates, taxonomy

Clostophis udayaditinus n. sp.  from the type locality.
A–C, paratype CUMZ 14466 of living snails crawling on wet tissue paper (three snails at different angles; all shell widths about 1.3 mm). D, light microscope image of paratype CUMZ 14467 with enlarged aperture at different angles.

 Abbreviations: c = columellar lamella, ip = infraparietal lamella, p = parietal lamella, pl = palatal plica.

Clostophis udayaditinus n. sp. from Battambang, Cambodia.
A, holotype CUMZ 14441 with enlarged aperture at different angles, and enlarged columellar lamella and palatal plica, and B, C, protoconch. D, paratype CUMZ 14446 from the type locality.

 Abbreviations: c = columellar lamella, ip = infraparietal lamella, p = parietal lamella, pl = palatal plica.

Family Hypselostomatidae Zilch, 1959 

Clostophis Benson, 1860

 Type species. Clostophis sankeyi Benson, 1860, by monotypy. 

Remarks. Until now, the genus Clostophis has been known to be widely distributed from Peninsular Malaysia to Myanmar, mainland Indochina, and southern China (Páll-Gergely et al. 2020; Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi 2022; MolluscaBase Eds 2024). There are 20 species known from Cambodia, including the new species, described here.

Clostophis udayaditinus Sutcharit & Panha, n. sp. 

Diagnosis. Shell concave-conical, with long, descending tuba and expanded peristome. Apertural dentition four: consisting of one hooked parietal lamella, one small infraparietal lamella, one large, strong palatal plica, and one hooked columellar lamella. Umbilicus wide.

Etymology. The species name udayaditinus is from “udayadit-”, and the suffix “-inus”, meaning possession or belonging to. This name is a memorial to King Udayadityavarman II, who ruled the Angkor Kingdom around 1100 A.D. He also ordered the building of the Bannan Temple (Higham 2014), which became the name of the hill—the type locality of this new species.

Chirasak Sutcharit, Sothearen Thi, Nasak Chantha, Phyroum Chourn, Chhin Sophea, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Arthit Pholyotha, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai and Somsak Panha. 2025. First Rrecord of the Microsnail Genus Clostophis Benson, 1860 (Eupulmonata: Pupilloidea) from Cambodia, with Description of A New Species. Journal of Conchology. 45(3); DOI. doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4538  [23 February 2025] 

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[Diplopoda • 2018] Nagaxytes acantherpestes, N. erecta, N. gracilis & N. spatula • The New Genus Nagaxytes gen. nov. (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of Three New Species [A Revision of Dragon Millipedes II]

 Nagaxytes gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 
 N. erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 

in Srisonchai, Enghoff, Likhitrakarn et Panha, 2018. 

DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2018.462 

Abstract

The ‘acantherpestes’ group of dragon millipedes, formerly placed in the genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, is revised and assigned to the new genus Nagaxytes Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. nov. Desmoxytes acantherpestes Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994 is the type species of the new genus and is redescribed as N. acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov. Three new species are described from Thailand: N. erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. and N. gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. from Kanchanaburi Province, and N. spatula Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. from Tak Province. All new species are endemic to western Thailand and all are restricted to limestone habitats. Complete illustrations of external morphological characters, an identification key, and a distribution map are provided.

Keywords: endemic; dragon millipede; new species; taxonomy; Thailand

Taxonomy

Class Diplopoda Blainville-Gervais, 1844

Order Polydesmida Pocock, 1887

Suborder Strongylosomatidea Brölemann, 1916

Family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889

Subfamily Paradoxosomatinae Daday, 1889

Tribe Orthomorphini Brölemann, 1916

 General body characters of Nagaxytes Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. nov.
 N. acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov., ♂, holotype, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Hua Hin District (ZMUC 000101457).
A. Entire body. B. Anterior body part. C. Body rings 5–8, showing sternal lobe between coxae 4 and gonopods on ring 7. D. Head and antennae.

Genus Nagaxytes Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. nov.

Type species: Desmoxytes acantherpestes Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994

Diagnosis: 

The genus Nagaxytes gen. nov. is characterized by:

1. Paraterga subspiniform.

2. Metaterga with 2 rows of tubercles/cones/spines (lateral spines of posterior row very long).

3. Male femora 5 and 6 without modification.

4. Postfemoral part of gonopod conspicuous, demarcated from femur by a deep mesal sulcus and a

shallow/deep lateral sulcus.

5. Lamina lateralis obviously separated from lamina medialis.

6. Lamina medialis long and curved, apically fringed/hooked.

Etymology: ‘Naga’ is a Sanskrit and Pali word, relating to a category of snake-like spirits in Buddhist and Hindu mythology, and refers to the snake-like shape of the lamina medialis of the gonopod; ‘-xytes’ ensures harmony with Desmoxytes (and its synonym Pteroxytes Jeekel, 1980).

Included species (4): 

- N. acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov.

- N. erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.

- N. gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.

- N. spatula Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.

Remarks: Srisonchai et al. (2018) proposed to subdivide Desmoxytes sensu Golovatch & Enghoff (1994) into five genera. The ‘acantherpestes’ group (= Nagaxytes) is well-defined by several distinct morphological characters (see diagnosis), especially the distinctive subspiniform paraterga and the very long lamina medialis of the gonopods. Even though the subspiniform paraterga are relatively similar to those of the ‘gigas’ group, the gonopod details are very different.

Distribution and habitat: This genus is known only from the western part of Thailand: Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (Hua Hin and Kui Buri Districts), Kanchanaburi Province (Sai Yok and Thong Pha Phum Districts) and Tak Province (Mae Sot and Umphang Districts) (Fig. 27). All four species seem to be local endemics, highly restricted to limestone habitats, and all have narrow distribution ranges. The specimens were usually found on humid rocks, rock walls, leaf litter or surface roots of trees. Some species can be found syntopically in the same habitat with other dragon millipede species.

Nagaxytes acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov. 

 

Diagnosis: Metaterga 4–19 with one row of 2+2 posterior spines (anterior row absent). Similar in this respect to N. gracilis gen. et sp. nov. but differs from this species by having paraterga shorter; degree of elevation of paraterga lower; sternal lobe between male coxae 4 subtrapeziform; lamina lateralis swollen, stout, short.

Live photographs and habitat of Nagaxytes erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.
A. Specimen from Ban Nong Bang, Thailand (♀). B. Mating couple. C. ♂ with parasitic mites. D. Habitat.

Nagaxytes erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology The name is a Latin adjective and refers to the erect lamina lateralis of the gonopod telopodite. 

 Nagaxytes gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov., ♂, paratype (CUMZpxDGT00095).

Watercolour by R. Srisonchai and P. Kriatpraprai.

Nagaxytes gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. 

 

Etymology The name is a Latin adjective, referring to the slender lamina lateralis of the gonopod telopodite.

Distribution and habitat: Nagaxytes gracilis gen. et sp. nov. is known only from Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province. All specimens were collected on humid rocks, superficial tree roots and litter in limestone habitats. It lives in the same habitat with D. purpurosea, D. golovatchi Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2018 and N. erecta gen. et sp. nov. (q.v.). The new species occurs in a narrow distribution area along the huge limestone range which is entirely contained within Sai Yok District. We thus consider this species to be endemic to Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.

Nagaxytes spatula Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.  

Etymology The name is a Latin noun in apposition, referring to the spatulate lobe on the lamina lateralis.

Distribution and habitat Known only from Tak Province. Almost all specimens were seen crawling on rocks, some on leaf litter in limestone habitats. Some juveniles were collected from the leaf litter (probably in moulting chambers). In the field, the specimens blended perfectly with brown rocks and leaf litter.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Henrik Enghoff, Natdanai Likhitrakarn and Somsak Panha. 2018. A Revision of Dragon Millipedes II: The New Genus Nagaxytes gen. nov., with the Description of Three New Species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae).  European Journal of Taxonomy. 462; 1–44. DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2018.462

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[Diplopoda • 2018] Desmoxytes aurata, D. corythosaurus, D. octoconigera, ... • A Revision of Dragon Millipedes I: Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of Eight New Species

Desmoxytes aurata Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,  

D. corythosaurus Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,

D. euros Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,  

in Srisonchai, Enghoff, Likhitrakarn et Panham 2018. 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.761.24214 

Abstract

The dragon millipede genus Desmoxytes s.l. is split into five genera, based on morphological characters and preliminary molecular phylogenetic analyses. The present article includes a review of Desmoxytes s.s., while future articles will deal with Hylomus Cook and Loomis, 1924 and three new genera which preliminarily are referred to as the ‘acantherpestes’, ‘gigas’, and ‘spiny’ groups. Diagnostic morphological characters of each group are discussed. Hylomus is resurrected as a valid genus and the following 33 species are assigned to it: H. asper (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. cattienensis (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. cervarius (Attems, 1953), comb. n., H. cornutus (Zhang & Li, 1982), comb. n., H. draco Cook & Loomis, 1924, stat. rev., H. enghoffi (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. eupterygotus (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n., H. getuhensis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. grandis (Golovatch, VandenSpiegel & Semenyuk, 2016), comb. n., H. hostilis (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994), comb. n., H. jeekeli (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994), comb. n., H. lingulatus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. laticollis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. longispinus (Loksa, 1960), comb. n., H. lui (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n., H. minutuberculus (Zhang, 1986), comb. n., H. nodulosus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. parvulus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. phasmoides (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. pilosus (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. proximus (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. rhinoceros (Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015), comb. n., H. rhinoparvus (Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015), comb. n., H. scolopendroides (Golovatch, Geoffroy & Mauriès, 2010), comb. n., H. scutigeroides (Golovatch, Geoffroy & Mauriès, 2010), comb. n., H. similis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. simplex (Golovatch, VandenSpiegel & Semenyuk, 2016), comb. n., H. simplipodus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. specialis (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. spectabilis (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. spinitergus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. spinissimus (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n. and H. variabilis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n. Desmoxytes s.s. includes the following species: D. breviverpa Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. cervina (Pocock,1895); D. delfae (Jeekel, 1964); D. des Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. pinnasquali Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. planata (Pocock, 1895); D. purpurosea Enghoff, Sutcharit & Panha, 2007; D. takensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. taurina (Pocock, 1895); D. terae (Jeekel, 1964), all of which are re-described based mainly on type material. Two new synonyms are proposed: Desmoxytes pterygota Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994, syn. n. (= Desmoxytes cervina (Pocock, 1895)), Desmoxytes rubra Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994, syn. n. (= Desmoxytes delfae (Jeekel, 1964)). Six new species are described from Thailand: D. aurata Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. corythosaurus Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. euros Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. flabella Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. golovatchi Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. octoconigera Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., as well as one from Malaysia: D. perakensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., and one from Myanmar: D. waepyanensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n. The species can mostly be easily distinguished by gonopod structure in combination with other external characters; some cases of particularly similar congeners are discussed. All species of Desmoxytes s.s. seem to be endemic to continental Southeast Asia (except the ‘tramp’ species D. planata). Some biological observations (relationship with mites, moulting) are recorded for the first time. Complete illustrations of external morphological characters, an identification key, and distribution maps of all species are provided.

Keywords: aposematic, dragon millipede, new species, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Photographs of live Desmoxytes aurata sp. n. and habitat.
A, B male paratype C female paratype D mating couple E habitat.

Photographs of live Desmoxytes corythosaurus sp. n. and habitat
A, B male paratypes C female paratype D juvenile E habitat.

Photographs of live Desmoxytes euros sp. n. and habitat.
A, B male paratypes C female paratype D juvenile E egg cluster F cluster of stadium 1 juveniles G habitat.

 Ruttapon Srisonchai, Henrik Enghoff, Natdanai Likhitrakarn and Somsak Panha. 2018. A Revision of Dragon Millipedes I: Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, with the Description of Eight New Species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae). ZooKeys. 761: 1-177. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.761.24214 

[Mollusca • 2024] Janbinmorpha gen. nov. • Reassessment and Phylogenetic Position of the overlooked limacoid Land Snail Trochomorpha sculpticarina Martens, 1883 (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae), with the Description of A New Genus

 

Janbinmorpha sculpticarina (Martens, 1883), comb. nov., 
 Janbinmorpha Pholyotha & Panha, gen. nov.

in Pholyotha, Sutcharit, Panha et Tongkerd, 2024. 

  DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.129455

Abstract

The Malay Peninsula has traditionally been considered to harbour a diverse land-snail fauna, both in terms of a high species richness and a wide variety of conchological traits, especially within the limacoid land snails. A recent survey along the Malay Peninsula of southern Thailand discovered an overlooked limacoid taxon “Trochomorpha” sculpticarina Martens, 1883, previously assigned to genus Trochomorpha of the Trochomorphidae. This genus is herein described as Janbinmorpha gen. nov. based on comparative studies of shell morphology, external features, genital anatomy and radular morphology, as well as analyses of partial sequences of two mitochondrial markers, COI and 16S rRNA, and of one nuclear marker, 28S rRNA. This new genus is characterised by a combination of distinct morphological and anatomical features. The most distinguishing features are a depressed trochiform shell with a keeled last whorl, gametolytic organ without a duct, gametolytic sac with two lobes, and proximal epiphallus encircled with a thick sheath and attached by the penial retractor muscle. In addition, an analysis of the differentiation in mitochondrial and nuclear markers confirmed that this new genus, first recognised by morphology, is also genetically distinct. The molecular data also confirm that J. sculpticarina comb. nov. is a member of the Ariophantidae and has a close evolutionary relationship to Hemiplecta and Maelamaodiscus.

Key Words: Helicarionoidea, land snails, Malay Peninsula, phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy

Taxonomy and systematics

Superfamily Helicarionoidea Bourguignat, 1877

Family Ariophantidae Godwin-Austen, 1883

Subfamily Ariophantinae Godwin-Austen, 1883

Shell of Janbinmorpha sculpticarina (Martens, 1883), comb. nov.
A. Syntype from Salanga [Phuket Province]: ZMB/Moll 58132; B. Syntypes from Salanga [Phuket Province]: ZMB/Moll 34164; C. Specimen from Salanga I., Malaysia [Phuket Island, Phuket Province, Thailand]: NHMUK 1888.3.27.4; D. Specimen from Phuket Province: CUMZ 15077; E. Specimen from Surat Thani Province: CUMZ 15153; F. Specimen from Phang-nga Province: CUMZ 15151 using for SEM imaging.

Janbinmorpha sculpticarina (Martens, 1883), comb. nov.
Map of the Malay Peninsula in southern Thailand and the southernmost tip of Myanmar showing the sampling sites. Localities where the living specimens were collected are indicated by numbers on map, not to scale.

 Janbinmorpha Pholyotha & Panha, gen. nov.

 

Type species: Trochomorpha sculpticarina Martens, 1883; here designated.

Diagnosis: Shell dextral, umbilicated, depressed, lenticular, ribbed, with keeled last whorl. Animal with three dorsal lobes; foot tripartite; caudal foss present; caudal horn very reduced. Genitalia having epiphallic caecum, flagellum and dart apparatus; proximal epiphallus encircled with thickened muscular epiphallic sheath; gametolytic organ without duct and gametolytic sac consisting of two bulbs. Radula with tricuspid central tooth; unicuspid or bicuspid lateral teeth; unicuspid marginal teeth.

Distribution: Currently known only from the Malay Peninsula.

Etymology: The name combines “Janbin” in reference to the shape of an unidentified flying object (UFO) in the Thai language, and similar to the shell shape of this new genus, and “morpha” in reference to the similarity of shell morphology between this new genus and the genus Trochomorpha.

 Janbinmorpha sculpticarina (Martens, 1883), comb. nov.

Representative living limacoid snails with a depressed trochiform shell from Thailand and the Malay Peninsula.
A. Janbinmorpha sculpticarina (Martens, 1883), comb. nov. in the Ariophantidae; B. Hemiplecta cymatium (Pfeiffer, 1856) in the Ariophantidae;
C. Holkeion anceps (Gould, 1843) in the Ariophantidae; D. Siamoconus geotrochoides Pholyotha, 2023 in the Euconulidae;
E. Trochomorpha sp.2 in the Trochomorphidae; F. Pseudoplecta bijuga (Stoliczka, 1873) in the Dyakiidae.

 Arthit Pholyotha, Chirasak Sutcharit, Somsak Panha and Piyoros Tongkerd. 2024. Reassessment and Phylogenetic Position of the overlooked limacoid Land Snail Trochomorpha sculpticarina Martens, 1883 (Eupulmonata, Ariophantidae), with the Description of A New Genus. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(3): 1135-1154. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.129455

[Mollusca • 2024] Durgella pentata & D. nulla • Unveiling the Diversity of the Semislug Gnus Durgella Blanford, 1863 (Eupulmonata: Helicarionidae) from Thailand and Myanmar, with Description of Two New Species

Durgella pentata Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov.
Durgella nulla Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov.

in Pholyotha, Sutcharit, Lwin et Somsak, 2024.

 DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2024.63-14 

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Durgella is a terrestrial semislug genus in the family Helicarionidae and currently comprises nine species recorded from Thailand and Myanmar. Two species, D. concinna and D. rhaphiellus, have been described based only on shell information, while the taxonomy of the remaining seven species is comprehensively treated herein using comparative morphology. Revised species descriptions are given for D. levicula, D. erratica, D. siamensis, and D. libas; D. birmanica (previously placed in the Megaustenia) is moved to this genus; and two species, D. pentata Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov. and D. nulla Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov., are described as new to science. Based on our findings, the combination of shell characters including shape, size, aperture, and umbilicus; the number of mantle extensions; and the genitalia, especially the penis, epiphallus, and dart apparatus, can be used to distinguish these nine species. Among these ninerecognised species, only D. nulla Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov. has no dart apparatus.

Key words: Comparative morphology, Durgellinae, Indochina, Land snail, Systematics, Taxonomic revision

 

TAXONOMY

Superfamily Helicarionoidea Bourguignat, 1877

Family Helicarionidae Bourguignat, 1877

Subfamily Durgellinae Godwin-Austen, 1888

Genus Durgella Blanford, 1863

Durgella birmanica (Pfeiffer, 1847)

Durgella levicula (Benson, 1859) 

Durgella erratica (Godwin-Austen, 1888) 

Durgella concinna Blanford & Godwin-Austen, 1908

Durgella rhaphiellus (Martens, 1867)

Durgella siamensis Möllendorff, 1902 

Durgella libas Solem, 1966 

Durgella pentata Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Shell depressedly subglobose, thin, polished, dark yellow with a creamy tinge, and aperture roundly lunate, broader than high; animal with five mantle extensions; genitalia with very short vagina, small epiphallic caecum, short gametolytic duct, and very large dart apparatus.

Etymology: The specific name “pentata” is from the Greek word meaning five, referring to the presence of five mantle extensions. 

Durgella nulla Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Shell depressedly subglobose, membranous, polished, dark yellowish with olive tinge; animal with two different colours: upper body dark brown or blackish and from lower body to foot margin creamy; four mantle extensions; genitalia with very large penis, short gametolytic duct, and without dart apparatus.

Etymology: The specific name “nulla” is from the Latin adjective meaning not any, none, nobody, or no, and refers to the absence of dart apparatus. 

Arthit Pholyotha, Chirasak Sutcharit, Ngwe Lwin and Panha Somsak. 2024. Unveiling the Diversity of the Semislug Gnus Durgella Blanford, 1863 (Eupulmonata: Helicarionidae) from Thailand and Myanmar, with Description of Two New Species. Zool Stud. 63:14. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2024.63-14.

หอยหางดิ้น สกุล 𝐷𝑢𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 ชนิดใหม่ของโลก 2 ชนิดจากประเทศไทยและเมียนมาร์ คือ

1. 𝐷𝑢𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑎 Pholyotha & Panha, 2024 

หอยหางดิ้นเชียงดาว ค้นพบที่ อ.เชียงดาว จ.เชียงใหม่

2. 𝐷𝑢𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑛𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑎 Pholyotha & Panha, 2024 

หอยหางดิ้นอีสาน ค้นพบที่ จ.เลยและหนองบังลำภู

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[Mollusca • 2023] Gyliotrachela khmeriana • Notes on the hypselostomatid snails (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) from limestone hills in Western Cambodia with a new record and a new species

Gyliotrachela khmeriana Sutcharit & Panha,

in Sutcharit, Ngor, Páll-Gergely, Jeratthitikul, Siriwut, Srisonchai, Ng, Jirapatrasilp et Panha, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2023.2223386 

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ABSTRACT

Thirteen hypselostomatid microsnails have been reported so far from Cambodia: 10 species from the Mekong Delta karsts in the south and three species from the Sisophon-Battambang limestone hills in the west. Herein, Gyliotrachela torticollis Benthem Jutting, 1962, the only species previously reported from the Battambang, is redescribed based on near-type locality specimens. We describe a new species, Gyliotrachela khmeriana sp. nov., from the Cambodian Sisophon-Battambang limestone hills. This new species differs from all other known hypselostomatid species in having a short and straight tuba, protoconch sculptures with shallow pits and spiral striations, and apertural dentition with parietal, angular, and four other lamellae on the palatal wall. In addition, specimens of ‘Anauchen srakeoensis Panha and Burch, 2004’, previously recorded only in Thailand, were collected from limestone hills in Sisophon, redescribed based on shell morphology and taxonomically relocated as a member of the Hypselostoma.

 

KEYWORDS: Micro, snails, Indochina, endemic, Mekong, pupillids

Gyliotrachela khmeriana sp. nov. 

 

 

Chirasak Sutcharit, Peng Bun Ngor, Barna Páll-Gergely, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Ting Hui Ng, Parin Jirapatrasilp and Somsak Panha. 2023. Notes on the hypselostomatid snails (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) from limestone hills in Western Cambodia with a new record and a new species. Journal of Natural History. 57(25-28); 1287-1303. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2023.2223386 

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[Mollusca • 2023] Hidden Lineages in the Mountains: The Genus Glyptaulax Gude, 1914 and Maelamaodiscus gen. nov. (Heterobranchia: Stylommatophora: Charopidae and Ariophantidae) with Description of Two New Species from Western Thailand

 

Maelamaodiscus somsakpanhai

Sutcharit & Pholyotha, 2023

 

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Abstract

The Tenasserim Range runs from north to south and forms not only a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar, but also the backbone of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, which is rich in endemic species, especially of the malacofauna. Knowledge of land snail diversity in Thailand is continuously expanding and being refined, and various groups have been revised recently. From field surveys throughout the country, unique snails with delicate shell shape and sculpture hidden in mountainous areas have been discovered and described. Firstly, a new species of the Charopidae, Glyptaulax spectabilis sp. nov. has round tubercles arranged on spiral ridges. Second, Maelamaodiscus somsakpanhai gen. et sp. nov. of the Ariophantidae is described from the Moei River Basin. These new taxa differ from all Southeast Asian ariophantids by having a prominent radial ridge, peculiar aperture with wide sinulus, and an impression on the last whorl. This discovery of endemic taxa reflects the high biodiversity in this region, and suggests that many more land snail treasures are still waiting to be revealed.

Keywords: endemism, limestone, Pulmonata, systematics, Tenasserim Range

  

Maelamaodiscus somsakpanhai gen. et sp. nov.  

Chirasak Sutcharit and Arthit Pholyotha. 2023. Hidden Lineages in the Mountains: The Genus Glyptaulax Gude, 1914 and Maelamaodiscus gen. nov. (Heterobranchia: Stylommatophora: Charopidae and Ariophantidae) with Description of Two New Species from Western Thailand. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7;123-138. 

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