Vol. 56, 2017

(update: 2017.6.27)

Four New Species of Earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae: Amynthas) from Taiwan Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence

Yu-Hsi Wang¹ and Hsi-Te Shih^1,2,*

doi:10.6620/ZS.2017.56-18

¹Department of Life Science, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo-Kuang Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan
²Research Center of Global Change Biology, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo Kuang Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan

(Received 15 January 2017; Accepted 12 June 2017; Communicated by Benny K.K. Chan)

Yu-Hsi Wang and His-Te Shih (2017) Four new species of earthworms of the genus Amynthas are described from Taiwan. Amynthas lalashan n. sp. has two pairs of large genital markings medial to male porophores at the presetal portions on segments xviii and xix; the genital marking on segment xviii is closely adjacent to the male pore. Amynthas fusing n. sp. has a large C-shaped genital marking beside each male pore. Amynthas lioujia n. sp. has two large round genital markings beside each male pore. Amynthas majia n. sp. has a large V-shaped genital marking beside each male pore. The recognition of the four new species is also supported by the difference of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) marker.

Key words: Earthworm, New species, Amynthas, Taiwan, Cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI.

*Correspondence: Tel/Fax: 886-4-22856496. E-mail: htshih@dragon.nchu.edu.tw

Citation: Wang YH, Shih HT. 2017. Four new species of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae: Amynthas) from Taiwan based on morphological and molecular evidence. Zool Stud 56:18. doi:10.6620/ZS.2017.56-18.