Metaphire anomala ( Michaelsen, 1907 )

Tiwari, Nalini, James, Samuel W. & Yadav, Shweta, 2024, Pheretimoid earthworms of India: new insight from molecular systematics and phylogenetic relationship with new records, Organisms Diversity & Evolution 24 (3), pp. 313-333 : 319-323

Metaphire anomala ( Michaelsen, 1907)

Material examined MNP17-1152-47A1, MNP17-1153- 47A2, MNP17-1165-47A15, MNP17-1172-47A22, Lamdeng Makhaleikai forest range, Manipur, Lat / Lon : 24.8376, 93.874, elevation: 844.306 m, collected on 12th of October 2017, collected by Shweta Yadav ( Fig. 7 ) .

Description Length 77–96 mm, diameter 4–5 mm. The total number of segments 93–110. Prostomium open epilobic. Setae very small, equally placed, without any break on dorsal and ventral side. The first dorsal pore in intersegmental furrow of xii/xiii. Clitellum annular, covers three segment xiv–xvi, dorsal pore absent. The female pore single, median on segment xiv. Male pores minute, each at centre of a small disc on segment xx, in copulatory pouch with transversely slit like equatorial aperture each distantly situated 1/6th of the body circumference. There are 15–18 (N = 4) setae between male pores. In one specimen, two spermathecal pores observed which were placed on intersegmental furrow of vi/vii on left side and vii/viii on right side, while in rest of the three specimen spermathecal pores absent. Genital markings small, paired, disclike, each with apparent central pore and in a parietal invagination with transversely slit like equatorial aperture resembling male pores but slightly smaller than male pores, on post-clitellar regions, in the setal zone, placed slightly further apart than male pores usually in segment xviii, xix, xxi, xxii, sometimes in xvii paired and/ or unpaired. Approximately, 20 setae present between two genital markings.

A single, large gizzard in segment viii. The lateral intestinal caeca simple, originates in segment xvii and extends up to segment xiv. Last pair of heart in segment xiii. Male organs holandric, six pairs of testes present from segment v–xiii. Prostate large, extends from segment xviii to xxiii, duct muscular, long and looped. Spermathecae only in one specimen in intersegmental region of vi/vii, on left side, duct slender and approximately equal to the vaguely demarcated ampulla, diverticulum with short and slender stalk, twisted middle region in which lumen is gradually widened, and a clubshaped seminal chamber. On the other hand, small, immature spermathecae on right side in segment vii/vii was observed.

Figures

Fig. 7 Metaphire anomala: a prostomium; b spermathecal pore; c genital regions; d genital markings and male pores; e and f spermathecae; g male funnels; h prostate