On the Giant Pheretimoid Earthworms From Vietnam (Clitellata: Megascolecidae), with Descriptions of Three New Species

Tung T Nguyen; Dang H Lam; Anh D Nguyen

doi:10.6620/ZS.2016.55-52

On the Giant Pheretimoid Earthworms From Vietnam (Clitellata: Megascolecidae), with Descriptions of Three New Species

Zool Stud. 2016 Dec 7:55:e52. doi: 10.6620/ZS.2016.55-52. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Tung T Nguyen¹, Dang H Lam², Anh D Nguyen³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology, School of Education, Cantho University, Cantho City, Vietnam. E-mail: thanhtung@ctu.edu.vn.
² College of Natural Sciences, Cantho University, Cantho City, Vietnam. E-mail: dangm0414002@gstudent.ctu.edu.vn.
³ Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No.18, Hoangquocviet Rd., Hanoi, Vietnam. E-mail: ducanh@iebr.ac.vn.

Abstract

Tung T. Nguyen, Dang H. Lam, and Anh D. Nguyen (2016) The giant earthworms from Vietnam are being reviewed to consist of six species, Amynthas dangi (Thai, 1984), A. munglonganus (Thai & Tran, 1986) comb. nov., A. ghilarovi (Thai, 1982), and three new, A. munglongoides sp. nov., A. antoanensis sp. nov. and A. konkakinh sp. nov. All six species have lengths ranging 300-680 mm, diameter ca. 16-20 mm, and without copulatory pouches. The new species, A. munglongoides sp. nov. is characterised by three pairs of spermathecal pores in intersegment 5/6/7/8, genital markings paired in vii, viii and xviii. A. antoanensis sp. nov. is distinguished by four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9, genital marking paired in viii, ix, and xviii. A. konkakinh sp. nov. is recognised by four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9, genital marking single in viii, paired in xviii. In addition, a key to all six gigantic species in Vietnam is also provided.

Keywords: Annelida; Gigantic earthworms; Megascolecidae; Pheretimoids; Vietnam.