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Amynthas and Metaphire (Annelida: Oligochaeta) fromFukuoka prefecture and its adjacent region, Kyusyu Japan

With the summary on Metaphirehilgendorfi/Amynthas tokioensisspecies-complex

Y. S

Abstract: This report describes Amynthas and Metaphire (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from Fukuoka Prefecture, KyushuJapan. The detail on Metaphire hilgendorfi/Amynthas tokioensis species complex has already been shown in earlier chapters. Besides the species complex, Eight Amynthas and Nine Metaphirewere found. In Amynthas, three are exotic: Amynthas carnosus, A. corticis, and A. robustus, One is uncertain origin/affinities:A. phaselus and four were endemic: A. micronarius, with three new Amynthas. In Metaphire, two are exotic:M. californicaand M. schmardae,and other six were endemic: M. sieboldi, M. tosaensiswith five new Metaphire. Exotic and uncertain origin/affinities taxa were collected from bare land to urban area. Most Endemic taxa were collected from evergreen forest –summer green forest, but Metaphirepseudovittatus which is Endemic taxon was collected from bare land to urban area.

KEY WORD. Amynthas, Metaphire, exotic, endemic, Metaphire hilgendorfi / Amynthas tokioensis species complex,Fukuoka Kyushu.

Introduction

Kobayashi 1941 studiedthe earthworm fauna of Kyushu. He lists an uncertain species of “Former Pheretima” of 57taxa in addition to an already-known species of “Former Pheretima” of 23taxa.

The earthworm taxonomy from Fukuoka Kyushu was a blank for 60 years after Kobayashi (1941). After the blank, Kamihira(2008) reports 14 known taxa and 10 unknown taxa of “Pheretima” from Fukuoka Kyushu.

After 1967, I researched earthworm's ecology. At that time, the taxonomy of the earthworm in Japan was not advanced enough. I was not able to give the scientific name to most abundant earthworms. After 1974, I have collected terrestrial earthworms from various habitats of Fukuoka prefecture, Kyushu Japan.Lumbricidae and Moniligastridae will be left in the future among the earthworm collections. Present work reports the fauna of Metaphire and Amynthas;these are "Former Pheretima", from Fukuoka Prefecture Kyushu Japan.Metaphire hilgendorfi/Amynthas tokioensisfrom Fukuoka Prefecture has already been reported in earlier chapters. The summary is shown in present text.

Material and Method

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Method

Sampling, preservation, recorded feature and illustration are same to those in another report (Chapter one of Metaphire hilgendorfi/Amynthas tokioensis species complex).

A taxonomy result of obtaining for the ecological study 1967-1974 is quoted in the current researchsupplementing.

Taxonomy

Amynthas

Exotic Amynthas

Amynthas carnosus(Goto & Hatai, 1899)

Material examined: Chikusino C. Fukuoka Prefecture June 27, 2004 (Author’s garden) (Measurement record: Amynthascarnosus). Length 206.0 mm, Clitellum width 7.4 mm. Segment 129.

Diagnosis: Four pairs of spermathecal pores ca. 0.29 body circumference apart in furrows 5/6/7/8/9. The pores shows a large hemicycle.Ampulla heart-shaped. Diverticula ca 1/2 of the main portion. Male pores ca. 0.31 circumference apart with 16 setae between male pores. There are small genital papillae near male pores. There are no other genital markings in mid ventral in present and other specimens collected from Fukuoka Pref.. Prostatic gonad ranged segment 17 - 20. Prosatic duct stout, looped in U shape, distally slightly thicker. Intestinal caeca simple.

Remark: Various features of present specimen almost resemble those of “Pheretima carnosa of Ofuchi (1937)”. However, there are no large genital marking on mid ventral ofpresent specimen.Blakemore (2003, 2005) described three pairs of spermathecal pores in5/6/7/8 (or sometimes four pairs in 5/6-8/9) of Amynthas carnosus. Male pore of all specimens collected from Fukuoka were four pair 5/6/7/8/9.

Distribution in Fukuoka Prefecture:Chikusino C. Dazaifu C. (Urban area)

Amynthas corticis (Kinberg, 1867)

Material examined: Fukuoka C. Hakozaki November 5, 1972. (Measurement record:Amynthas corticis ). Length 120.0mm, width 4.1mm. Segment 111.

Diagnosis: Four pairs of spermathecal pores ca. 0.31 body circumference apart in furrows 5/6/7/8/9. The pores are small, round-shaped.Ampulla is smooth and elongated ovoid, Diverticullum is shorter than Ampula (containing its duct). Male pores ca. 0.36 circumference apart with 12 setae between male pores.The pores are round-shaped, and their margins are elevated over the body surface. The genital papillae are small roundon segments5-9,nearer the lateral side. The prostatic gonad ranged segment 16–20. The prostatic duct is U or loop shape. Genital markings small circle paired or variable along the lateral sidenear spermathecal and male pores segments.Intestinal caeca simple with smooth marginoriginating near segment 27.

Remark:Various features of present specimen almost resemble those of Pheretima heteropoda(Ohfuch 1937) and Pheretima heterocaeta (Ohfuchi 1957). Ofuchi (1937 and 1957) is explaining Pheretima heteropoda and Pheretima heterocaeta as follows. “The prostate glands are entirely lacking or present on the right or left side”. Present specimen have full prostatic gonad of both sides.

Distribution in Fukuoka Prefecture: Ohmuta C., Iizuka C., Dazaifu C., Chikusino C and others. (Weed ground in industrial region, Forest park, along road and urbanarea etc.)

Note: Blakemore (2005) said, “Often A. corticis has been reported under the names of its junior synonyms as Pheretima diffringens or P. peregrina or, in earlier papers, as P. heterochaeta, and sometimes the name is misspelled as “corticus”. In my ecological study from 1968 to 1974, A. corticis was denoted as “Pheretima diffringens”.

Amynthas hupeiensis (Michaelsen, 1895).

Amynthas hupeiensiswas not collected in the sampling of 1974-2004, but was collected in the population studies of 1968-1974.

Supplementary result from the ecological studies in 1967-1974:In quadrate survey 1967-1974 for population study, Amynthas hupeiensis of 18 individuals (one matured and 17 immature) in area D and 8 individuals (two matured and 6 immature) was collected from area G (Chapter OneChap1FIGTAB). All specimens of Amynthas hupeiensis collected in population study were disappearedby dryness.

Amynthas robustus (Perrier, 1872)?

Material examined:Chikushino C.June 27, 2004Author’s garden. (Measurement record:Amynthas robustus). Length 135.0 mm, Clitellum width 5.6 mm. Segment 124.

Diagnosis: Dark brown dorsally, thin brown ventrally. Two pairs of spermathecal pores ca. 0.33 body circumference apart in furrows 7/8/9. Near the terminal portion of the duct of later spermatheca on 8/9, there are several accessory stalked glands.Male pores superficial on segment 18. Male pores ca. 0.27 circumference apart with 14 setae between male pores. Male pores on small circular discs.Genital markings small, two near each male pore paired on 18 within discs. Prostate glands absent. Close to the ectal end of the duct are two relatively large accessory glands situated close to the male pore, and corresponding to the external two papillae. Intestinal caeca simple and incised.

Remark: In present specimes, spermathecal pore in7/8/9. The prostatic duct with only two accessory glands and without prostate gland. Circumference apart spermathecal pore were 0.33 in Present specimen, 0.31-0.38 inChuang & Chen (2002), 0.33 (1/3)in kobayashi (1938), 0.42 inOhfuchi (1938), 0.44 (4/9) in “Pheretima lauta” of Chen (1933), and 0.47 (8/17) in Michaelsen’s P. fokiensis cited by Chen (1933). The diagnosis of Amynthas robustus by Blakemore 2003-2005 were “Spermathecal pores 0.5 body circumferenceapart in (6/) 7/8/9”.

Distribution in Fukuoka Prefecture:Chikushino C., Dazaifu C. (Urban area).

Known uncertain origin/affinities Amynthas

Amynthas phaselus(syn. ?maculosus Hatai, 1930)

Material examined: Fukuoka pref. Munakata C. Kanasaki Hataoriguu shrine July 14, 1977. (Measurement record:Amynthas phaselus). Length 112.0 mm, Clitellum width 6.0 mm. Segment 66.

Diagnosis:Three pairs of spermathecal pores ca. 0.26 body circumference apart in 5/6/7/8. Ampulla heart or pearshaped. The surface is not smooth. Diverticulum slender, longer than the duct, but shorter than the combined length of the duct and ampulla.Male pores superficial within bean-shaped pads. Male pores ca. 0.24 circumference apart with 12 setae between male pores. Genitalmarkings absent. Prostate glandsexpanding segments 15-22. Prostate gonad is not separated, and is settled to almost one.Moreover, all of prostatic gonad has inclined at the body axis. The inclination turns in the same direction as male pore on the body surface.Prostatic duct vertical horseshoe shaped loop (U). Intestinal caeca simple generating on 27 extending to 24.

Remark: Many features of present specimen corresponding to the description of Kobayashi, 1936: 165” on “Pheretima kamitai, (not 2003) and to the description of Yamaguchi 1962 on “Pheretima phaselus. Yamaguchi 1962 show the size and shape variations of male porophores of Pheretima phaselus and its variety :typical, kamitai and tamurai, in his Fig. 4. The male pore of present specimens is most resembledto B, typical phaselus form (kidney shaped) in Fig. 4 of Yamaguchi 1962.

Distribution in Fukuoka Prefecture:The matured individual with clitellum was only one individual though five individuals of Amynthas phaselus were collected in the sampling of 1974-2004.

Supplementary result from the ecological studies in 1967-1974: 20 individuals (2 matured and 18 immature) in area D and 3 individuals (one matured and two immature) in area G, of Amynthas phasellus, was collected in ecological studies of 1967-1974 years(Chapter OneChap1FIGTAB).

Distribution in Fukuoka Pref.:Munakata C. Buzen C. Takada T.

Known endemic Amynthas

Amynthasmicronarius(Goto & Hatai, 1898).

Material examined:Fukuoka C.Gokoku shrine, July 13, 1977. (Measurement record:Amynthas micronarius). Length 95.0 mm, Clitellum width 3.8 mm. Segment 98.

Diagnosis:Four pairs of spermathecal pores ca. 0.30 body circumference apart in furrows 5/6/7/8/9.The ampulla is flattenedand continuous to the short stalk.The diverticulum is lacking (adiverticulate). Male pores superficialon segment 18. Male pores ca. 0.26 circumference apart with 8 setae between male pores.Genital markings paired almost intersegmentaland just median to the lines of the malepores in 17/18, 18/19. Genital marking are oval shape. Prostate gland is well developed and extends to segment 16-21. Its duct is hook shape but did not adhere body wall. Near the duct, there are small internal glands corresponding to geneital marking on body surface. Intestinal caeca simple on 27 extending 23.

Remark: Original description on spermatheca of “Pheretima micronaria” is “Spermathecae 4 pairs, in VI-IV; only the pair in VIII with minute diverticula (Goto et Hatai 18xx). In “Pheretima obtuse” which is listed as synonym of Amynthas micronarius by Blakemore 2005, the spermathecal diverticullum usually arises from the inner face of the spermathecal duct, straight and swallen in the end of the diverticulum and forms a round seminal chamber(Ohfuch 1957). The present specimens and another one are adiverticulate.

Distribution in Fukuoka Prefecture: Fukuoka C., Tagawa C., Asakura C., Dazaifu C., Kiktakyushu C. (Evergreen forest, Shrine forest having rich underground vegetation).

Supplementary result from the ecological studies in 1967-1974:In quadrate survey 1967-1974 for population study, Amynthas micronaria was secondarly abundant species in Hakozaki 1968 (Chapter OneChap1FIGTAB).

New Endemic Amynthas

In present study, four new Amynthas with simple caeca were collected. Among them, three are two pair spermatheca in furrows 6/7/8 and one is four pairs of spermathecal pores in furrows 5/6/7/8/9.

Amynthas yahataensis (temporary name)

Material examined. Fukuoka Prefecture: Kitakyusyuu C. Yahatanishi District Goto Park: July 3, 1978

(Measurement record: Amynthas yahataensis. Length 70.9 mm,Width 3.7 mm.Segment number 78.

External features. Colour is thin brown on dorsaly and no pigmentation ventrally. Setae are 78 on 7 and 74 on segment 20. Firstdorsal pore 12/13. Two pairs of spermathecal pores ca. 0.46 body circumference apart in furrows 6/7/8. Male pore is superficial. Male pores ca. 0.39 circumference apart with 27 setae between male pores. In the center of a ventral side of segment, there are genital markings. Its marking is a peak in broad bean, of the pair, and the inside becomes hollow.

Internal anatomy. Spermathecae is two pairs in 6/7/8. Ampula is oval, Ampula +dcuct is twice than diverticulum +duct in length. Diverticulum is wide. Prostatic gonad occupied segments17 –20, and separate to two plates.Prostatic duct is U shape and small.In front of duct, there is a protuberance corresponding to genital marking.Intestinal caeca simple on 27 extending 24.

Remarks: Amynthas tamaensis is nominated as a group of two pair of spermatheca in 6/7/8, simple caeca and superficial male pore (See Blakemore’s Excel table).Blakemore write on this taxon in his “Japanese Earthworm” as follow, Ancestral populations expected to havecomplete prostates and spermathecae; possibly synonymous with Amynthas micronarius”. Two taxa: Tagawaensis and Chikusinoensis shown after this are two pair of spermatheca in 6/7/8, simple caeca and superficial male pore.The remark of present species was described in later, again.

Etymology.Named after the locality.

Distribution and habitatin Fukuoka Prefecture: Kitakyusyuu C. Yahatanishi District Goto Park (Evergreen forest).

Fig.xx Amynthasyahataensis (temporary name). A. Ventral view of segments 1-18 segments. B. Ventralview of male pore. C.Spermathecal pore. D.Seminal vesicles. E.Caeca.

Amymyhastagawaensis(temporary name)

Material examined. July 7, 1975Tagawa C. near Mt. Kawaradake. (Measurement record: Amymyhastagawaensis. Length70.3 mm, Width 4.78 mm. 52 segments.

External features :Body cylindricalin cross-section. Dorsal brown, Ventral thin brown. Setal number 63 on segment 7, 60 on segment 20, Firstdorsal pore 12/13,Spermathecal pores:6/7/8, 0.41 circumference apart. Spermathecal pores are not seen easily from the outside. Male pore is superficial, paired on corn like hill onsegment 18,0.47 circumference apart with 18 setae between male pores. There are no genital marking.

Internal anatomy : Spermatheca withampulla like bottle, diverticulum twisted or meanderingreceptacle with short duct (Fig. xx).Spermatheca is shorter or equal to diverticulum in length. Diverticulum is twisted, Prostate gonad in mass occupying on segments 16 –19, and its stout muscular duct is U type leading directly into the ventral parietes. Prostatic gonad in mass occupying segments 17–19, Intestine:Intestinal origin segment 16, small and simple caeca originating in segment 27, is extending forward to segment 25.

Remark:Amymyhastagawaensislooks alike well for Amymyhaschikusinoensis shown in later in many morphorgical feature.The remark of present species was described in later.

Etymology.Named after the locality.

Distribution in Fukuoka Pref., :Amymyhastagawaensiswas collected only in calciferous habitat: Mountain of limestone (Mt.Kawara Tagawa C., and Limestone plateau (Hiraodai Kitakyushu C.). However, the specific swelling like calciferous gland is not seen in alimental canal of this species.

Fig.xx Amynthastagawaensis (temporary name). A. Ventral view of 1-18 segments pore. B. Ventral view of male pore. C. Spermathecal pore. D.Prostatic gonad and duct. E. Caeca.

Amymyhaschikusinoensis (temporary name)

Material examined. August 21, 1988Fukuoka Pref. Nakagawa T. Minamihata (Measurement record: Amymyhas chikusinoensis. Length 81.5 mm, Width: about 3.9mm (clitellum). Segments: 73 segments.

External features : Body cylindricalin cross-section, , , Colour:Dorsal brown pigment, Ventral thin brown. Colouration of purple brown between segments of 1/2/3/5 was seen. Setal number 58 on segment 7, 62 on segment 20. Firstdorsal pore 13/14, (12/13 un-visible). Two pairs of spermathecal pores ca. 0.40 body circumference apart in furrows 6/7/8. Spermathecal pores are not seen easily externally. Male pore is superficial, paired in setal line of segment 18. 0.48 circumference apartwith 26 setae between male pores. Genital markings in paired sets of two or four papillae linearly in segment 7 and 8 in front of setal line, and eight genital markings in front and posterior of setal line male pore(s) on segment 18.

Internal anatomy: Spermatheca with bottle like ampulla. Diverticulum is linear. Spermatheca is shorter or equal to diverticulum in length. Male organs and Prostates: Prostate gonad divided to three plates in occupying segments 17-20, and its stout muscular duct is U type leading directly into the ventral parietes.Intestinal origin segment16, small and simple caeca originating in segment 27, is extending forward to segment 26. There are inner glands near the spermathecal duct and the male ducts corresponding to each externalgenital marking.

Fig.xx Amynthastagawaensis (temporary name). A. Ventral view of 1-18segments. B. Ventral view of 6 –8segments, C. Ventral view of male pore. D.Spermathecal pore. E.Prostatic gonad and duct. F. Caeca.

Distribution: This taxon wasrelatively abundant in evergreen forest in Fukuoka Pref. Chikusino C., Dazifu C. (Mt. Homan, Mt. Ohneji), Asakura C., Fukuoka C., (Mt. Sefuri). These are in Evergreen forest.

Etymology.Named after the locality

Table 1

Amymyhas tagawaensis / Amymyhas chikusinoensis
Common feature
Body size / 70.3 mm (L) 4.8 mm(W) / 81.5 mm (L) 3.9 mm(W)
Spermathecal pore in
Shape of spermathecal pore
Body circumference apart / 6/7/8
Same
0.41 / 0.40
Male pore
of body circumference apart / Male pores superficial
0.47 / 0.48
Prostatic gonad and duct / Prostate duct is U shape
Prostate gonad in mass occupying 16-20. / Prostate gonad in 17-20 separating three plate
Caeca / Manicate caeca originating in 27 extending 25
Difference feature
Body pigmentation / Dorsal brown, Ventral thin brown / Dorsal brown, Ventral thin brown.
Banded colouration of purple brown between segments of 1/2/3/5
Genital marking and inner gland / nothing / Genital markings in paired sets of two or four papillae linearly in segment 7 and 8, and eight markings in front and posterior of male pore(s)
on segment 18.
Inner glands corresponding
to each externalgenital markings.
Distribution / This taxonwas collected only in calciferous
habitat: Mountain of limestone / Relatively abundant in evergreen forest
in Fukuoka Pref.

Remarks.

Remark 1: The morphological difference between both species is shown below. Amymyhaschikusinoensiscan be obviously differentiated from Amymyhastagawaensisfor body pigmentation and genital marking with its inner gland. However, the difference in the body size and shape such as spermatheca, prostatic ductand caeca is a little between both taxa.Amymyhastagawaensis was chiefly collected from the limestone zone though Amymyhaschikusinoensis was collected from many places in the Fukuoka prefecture.Therefore, Amymyhastagawaensis seems local type of Amymyhaschikusinoensis.

Remark2: Comparison between Amynthasyahataensis and Amynthastagawaensis and Amynthaschikusinoensis

Amynthas yahataensis is almost the same as Amynthas tagawaensis and chikusinoensis for body size, superficia Male porel, and the shape and size of spermathecal pore and simple caeca.However, Mp. body circumference apart and the size of prostatic duct are plainly different between both groups. More, genital marking around male pore of Amynthas yahataensis is unique.This feature can be distinguished from all earthworm's species.In addition, it is forecast that Amynthasyahataensis is soil dweller and Amynthas tagawaensis and Amynthas chikusinoensis are litter dweller, from difference between collected soil depth and body pigment.

Amymyhas yahataensis / Amymyhas tagawaensis-
Amynthas chikusinoensis
Common feature
Body size / 70.9 mm(L) 3.7 mm(W9 / 70.3-81.5 mm (L) 4.8-3.9 mm(W)
Spermathecal pore in / 6/7/8
Shape of spermathecal pore / Same
Male pore / Male pores superficial
Prostatic gonad and duct / Prostate gonad in 16 or 17-20 and Prostate duct is U shape
simple caeca / Manicate caeca originating in 27 extending 25
Difference feature
Body circumference apart / 0.46 / 0.41-0.4
Mp, body circumference apart / 0.39 / 0.47-0.48
the size of prostatic duct / Very small / Large
Body pigmentation / thin brown or no pigmentation / Dorsal brown, Ventral thin brown or Banded colouration of purple brown between segments of 1/2/3/5.
Genital marking / In the center of a ventral side of segment, there are genital markings. Its marking is a peak in broad bean, of the pair, and the inside becomes hollow. / Nothing or paired sets of two or four papillae on 7 and 8, and eight markings in front and posterior of male pore(s)
inner gland / a protuberance corresponding to genital marking / Inner glands corresponding to each external genital markings.
Habitat / Soil dweller? / Litter dweller

New Amynthas in Kumamoto Pref. Kyusyu