Simple-pointed chaetae. Two pairs of testes and one pair of ovaries. Ovaries in first segment behind testes. Male pores paired in X and XI, female pores paired in the intersegment 12/13. Male ducts prosoporous. Atrial duct forms a penis within a penial sac, distally covered by a cuticular sheath. Two pairs of spermathecae, beginning in the ovarian segment.

Sylphella puccoon sp. n.

USNM 1251692: a dissected worm, stained in Harris’ hematoxylin, mounted in Canada balsam (collected 23 Jan 2009).

all from the type locality. USNM 1251693-1251698: 7 Jan 2009, 1 whole mount; 23 Jan 2009, 3 dissected; 30 Jan 2009, 2 sectioned (1 sagittal, 1 transverse). MNCN 16.03/3083: 14 Jan 2009, 2 dissected. CASIZ 197898: 23 Jan 2009, 3 dissected.

An unnamed, very small tributary (seep) to Pokeberry Creek, Chatham Co., North Carolina, USA.

The genus name refers to Sylph, the Latin name of an elemental spirit of the air that suggests the Latin silva, for woodland, followed by the Latin diminutive -ella. The specific name puccoon is the Algonquian Indian word which means pokeberry (Phylolacca species).

7 Jan 2009, 2 whole mounts. 14 Jan 2009, 3 dissected and 3 whole mounts; 11 in alcohol. 23 Jan 2009, 9 dissected and 1 whole mount; 3 in alcohol. 30 Jan 2009, 2 sectioned for histological study. All specimens (including the type series) collected by D.R. Lenat from the type locality.

(based on mated specimens). Number of segments 65–83. Length of fixed worms 15–25 mm. Diameter of the body from 14 unmounted worms in lateral aspect (measured to 0.01 mm): 0.44–0.66 mm in VIII (mean 0.51 mm), 0.45–0.68 mm at clitellum (mean 0.54 mm), and 0.50–0.76 mm (mean 0.61 mm) at mid-body.

Prostomium rounded-conical, 270–400 μm long, width about the same as length. Secondary annulation (narrow ring in anterior part of segment) from segment V; present but weak in post-clitellar segments (Fig. 1A). Epidermis 10–15 μm high in anterior segments. Clitellum annular, from segment X to XIV, with epithelium up to 25–35 μm high, formed by unordered, glandular cells (Fig. 2B). Longitudinal muscles up to 32 μm thick in anterior segments. Chaetae sigmoid, simple-pointed with strongly curved distal tip; ventral chaetae larger than corresponding dorsal chaetae in anterior segments (Table 1). Ventrals largest in II to about XIII (126–204 μm long, up to 7 μm thick), anterior dorsals distinctly smaller and thinner, (60–130 μm long, 4 μm thick) (Fig. 1B); maximum ventral chaeta length about 1.6 that of dorsals in preclitellar segments. Ventral chaetae only slightly larger than dorsals in post-citellar segments. Nodulus at about 0.32–0.46 (mean = 0.40) from the distal end.

Figure 1. 

Drawings of Sylphella puccoon gen. n., sp. n. A Anterior part of the body showing secondary annulations, clitellum and position of genital pores B chaetae of segment II and clitellar region C schematic drawing of reproductive organs (female funnel obscured by ovary) D detail of atrium E posterior lateral blood vessels.

Figure 2. 

Sylphella puccoon gen. n., sp. n. A Anterior part of the worm, showing prostomium B clitellar epidermis C chaeta in XII D egg sac containing oocytes and some blood vessels E dorsal vessel showing the cardiac cells and supra-intestinal vessel, dorsal to the intestine in segment XVII F reproductive segments, showing two atria, with their respective sperm funnels, and spermathecae of an unmated specimen G sperm funnel on the septum behind the atrium H atrial ampulla with sperm in the lumen, showing the several layers of musculature I prostatic cells forming small clusters over the atrial ampulla J cross-hatched muscular fibers shown at the surface of the atrial ampulla K Spermathecal ampulla with loose sperm in the lumen L spermathecal duct M penis within the penial sac, with conical penial sheath. For comparison N penis with tubular cuticular sheath in Styloscolex japonicus, and O penis with a soft cuticular layer in Lumbriculus japonicus. D, E, G–O histological sections of reproductive organs, other photographs from stained whole mounts or dissected specimens.

Transverse, oval male pores are in line of ventral chaetae of segment X and XI, about midway between chaetae and posterior septum (Fig. 1A). Female pores open just below the lateral line, in intersegment 12/13. Inconspicuous, round spermathecal pores open behind, and in line with the ventral chaetae in XII–XIII.

Pharynx developed mainly dorsally and laterally, in segments II and III. Pharyngeal glands well developed dorsally and ventrally in IV–VI, usually extending ventrally into VII. Chloragogenous tissue well developed from VII backwards. A supra-intestinal vessel may appear differentiated from the perivisceral sinus (Fig. 2E) beginning in XIV; this is not evident after the dorsal vessel joins the gut in about XX. One pair of simple commissural blood vessels join dorsal and ventral vessels in anterior segments to about XV; those in XII may loop into the egg sacs (Fig. 2D). Lateral blood vessels absent from posterior segments except for 1–2 very short lobes on dorsal vessel in about the posterior 1/4 of the body (Fig. 1E). Nephridia usually paired in VII and VIII, and paired, single, or absent in segments posterior to XIII; efferent ducts simple, mostly limited to ventral half of body, without vesicles at nephridiopores. Sperm sacs extend anteriorly to VIII or IX, and backwards as far as XXII. Egg sacs may extend to 2 or 3 segments beyond sperm sac; when eggs have partially completed vitellogenesis, egg sacs shorter, not extending beyond sperm sacs, to XIII or XIV.

Two pairs small testes, in segments X and XI; one pair elongate ovaries in XII, extending through XIII. Female funnels large, attached to the septum and opening in intersegment 12/13. Two pairs spermathecae, the first in the post-atrial segment (typically XII), and the second in the post-ovarian segment (typically XIII) (Figs 1C, 2F).

A single vas deferens per atrium (prosoporous condition), sperm funnels located on the septa of intersegments 10/11 and 11/12 (posterior septa of atrial segments), but folded back into the next segment. Vasa deferentia long (about 700 μm), penetrating the posterior septa, and forming a long, convoluted loop within each post-atrial segment (Fig. 1C). Vasa deferentia narrow (12–16 μm diameter) and transparent, each joining the atrium at the ectal (or basal) part of the ampulla (adjacent to the atrial duct), and running under the atrial musculature to about the middle part of the ampulla, where it opens into the atrial lumen (Fig. 1C, D). Atria petiolate, extending medially from male pore, with nearly spherical ampulla (140–210 μm diameter, slightly longer than wide) and tubular ectal duct (Fig. 1D). Ampullar musculature very thick (40–50 μm), organized in many intercrossing layers (Fig. 2H–J). Atrial ampulla with very thin epithelium, and covered by a thin (up to 5 μm) layer of cells and prostate glands formed by elongate-petiolate clusters of cells; each gland is pedunculate with a narrow extension penetrating the atrial musculature (Fig. 2I). Atrial duct tubular (17–24 μm diameter, 90–110 μm long), composed of an epithelium surrounded by loose, indistinct musculature, extending into a type-1 penis (Fig. 17, in Rodriguez and Giani 1994) within a deep penial sac (120–230 μm deep) (Figs 1C, D, 2M), and associated with retractor muscles extending dorso-laterally to the body wall. Penis length 90–110 μm; the broad, ental part forms a distinct epithelial tube which disappears ectally; the middle portion is surrounded by a ring of what appears to be circular musculature; and the ectal part is sharply acuminate, covered by a thin (ca.1 μm), cuticular layer.

The spermathecae have a narrow duct and an irregular, sacciform ampulla. Spermathecal duct fusiform, (30–45 μm maximum diameter), formed by columnar epithelium, a thin (about 2 μm) muscle layer, and with a wide lumen except at the pore; ental end of the duct prolonged into a narrow neck (12–20 μm diameter) which joins the ampulla (Figs 1C, 2L). Duct sharply narrowed at the pore, with a short sphincter surrounded by a circular muscle layer (Figs 1C, 2K). Ampulla in two parts, a short ectal section (60–90 μm long by 35–46 μm wide), lined with irregular epithelium, and a much larger ental part (320–480 μm by 130–250 µm), which is lined by columnar, vacuolated epithelium, up to 35 μm thick (Fig. 2G, K). Sperm within the spermathecae loose and unordered; epithelial vacuoles not obviously containing resorbed sperm. All spermathecae similar in size; ampullae of mated worms may extend into adjacent segments.

Two specimens had the entire sequence of reproductive organs in segments VII–X, with the clitellum in VII–XI instead of the usual X–XIV; apparently an anterior shift of three segments. These aberrant worms appeared normal in other respects, except that nephridia were not present in VII and VIII.

The combination of multiple atrial segments, prosopore male ducts in the testicular segments (GI and GII, see Brinkhurst 1991), and postatrial spermathecae in Sylphella puccoon gen. n., sp. n. is shared with the monotypic genera Lamprortus Rodriguez, 1994 (in Brinkhurst et al. 1994) and Wsewolodus Semernoy, 2004 (Fig. 3). Additionally, this arrangement of reproductive organs occurs in some species (or variants) of Lumbriculus Grube, 1844 and Lamprodrilus Michaelsen, 1901 (Teleuscolex and Agriodrilus included). Lamprortus is well distinguished from other lumbriculids by its hologyny, i.e., by the possession of 2 pairs of testes and 2 pairs of ovaries. Lamprortus and most Lamprodrilus species have only one spermathecal segment, although variants of L. mrazeki Hrabě, 1928 and L. satyriscus Michaelsen, 1901 may have two or more pairs of spermathecae. Almost all lumbriculids with two atrial segments differ from Sylphella gen. n. in having one intervening segment between the last atrial segment and the first spermathecal segment (Fig. 3). Thus, relative to the gonads, the first spermathecal segment is in the first post-ovarian segment (GIV in Lamprodrilus and Wsewolodus, and behind GIV in Lamprortus). In Sylphella, the first spermathecae are in the ovarian segment (GIII). The genus Lumbriculus is highly variable not only in number but also in the position of the spermathecae, but usually more than two pairs open laterally, either at the dorsal or ventral side of the body. The closest match to Sylphella is L. tetraporophorus Popchenko, 1976a, but that species is distinguished from Sylphella by typical Lumbriculus characters, including bifid chaetae, a plexus of anterior commissural blood vessels, and Lumbriculus-type male reproductive organs, with a pyriform atrium and penial sac ending in a porophore (see Table 2).

Figure 3. 

Comparative schema of the reproductive system and chaetae in the new genus Sylphella and other related prosoporous lumbriculid genera. Type-1 and type-2 penes as described by Rodriguez and Giani (1987) (see text).

The tetrathecate condition, with paired spermathecae in the first two postatrial segments, is a feature shared with some species in the semiprosoporous lumbriculid genera Trichodrilus Claparède, 1862 and Eremidrilus Fend & Rodriguez, 2003. However, the presence of two pairs of prosoporous atria in Sylphella suggests that a close phylogenetic relationship with these genera is improbable.

The general form of the atria bears a slight resemblance to some Palearctic species of the genus Trichodrilus having petiolate atria, spherical and very muscular atrial ampullae, and two pairs of spermathecae (e.g., T. aporophorus Popchenko, 1976b, T. claparedei Hrabě, 1937). Bichaeta sanguinea Bretscher, 1990 also has a spherical and very muscular atrium, but lacks an atrial duct. In contrast, genera resembling Sylphella in the arrangement of reproductive organs (Lamprodrilus, Lamprortus, Wsewolodus and Lumbriculus) tend to have elongate atria.

The atrial musculature in Sylphella consists of many small, cross-hatched layers, similar to some other lumbriculids, such as Trichodrilus longipenis Giani & Rodriguez, 1994. Details of atrial musculature are usually not given in lumbriculid diagnoses, but where described, the atrial muscle fibers show a simpler organization (parallel or two opposing layers) in the related genera. The Sylphella arrangement of atrial muscles should be distinguished from the simple crossed musculature in Lumbriculus species, which consists of only two perpendicular layers; however, it bears some resemblance to the many diagonally arranged layers in some Eclipidrilus Eisen species (Fend 2005).

The penis in Sylphella puccoon is similar to that described for Styloscolex japonicus Yamaguchi, 1937 in its basic structure, as well as in the presence of a smooth, rigid cuticular layer (sheath) on the ectal end (Fig. 2M, N). Styloscolex Michaelsen, 1901 has an intervening segment between the testicular and the ovarian segments, an autapormorphy that separates this genus from other lumbriculids. Several other Styloscolex characters, including pre-atrial spermathecae in most species, elongate atria in a single segment, and a forward shift in reproductive organs (Brinkhurst 1989) suggest that Styloscolex is probably not closely related to Sylphella.

Lamprortus and most Lamprodrilus species also have a type-1 penis (i.e., an extension of the atrial duct within a fold of the ventral body wall, see Rodriguez and Giani 1994), but these usually have a characteristic structure, being associated with a large mass of glands. Some Lamprodrilus species also have muscular penial bulbs. Lumbriculus species have a type-2 penis (i.e., formed in part by elongation of atrial lining cells) within a penial sac formed by very thick, columnar epithelium (see Hesse 1902 for L. variegatus). Penes are absent in Wsewolodus.

Enlarged ventral chaetae in anterior segments occur to some degree in many lumbriculids, but the difference is well marked in several Trichodrilus species (see Rodriguez and Giani 1994), Lamprodrilus inflatus Michaelsen, 1905, and Stylodrilus mirus (Chekanovskaya, 1956).

Sylphella puccoon gen. n., sp. n. has only been collected during winter months from a single, small seep that is a tributary of Pokeberry Creek, North Carolina. A large number of similar seeps were investigated by one of the authors (D. Lenat) adjacent to Pokeberry Creek, but Sylphella was limited to a 10-m reach of the largest seep (1 meter wide). The small streams in this area go completely dry during summer months, due a combination of clay soils and seasonal rainfall patterns. The dominant macroinvertebrates in these seeps were the isopod Caecidotea forbesi (William), the amphipod Crangonyx sp. Bate, and chironomids. The mayfly genera Callibaetis Eaton and Leptophlebia Westwood can be abundant, but other EPT taxa were sparse. Other oligochaetes at this site include Rhynchelmis bolinensis Fend & Lenat (the type locality), Eclipidrilus cf. fontanus, Rhyacodrilus propiporus Rodriguez & Fend, and an undescribed lumbriculid of unknown generic attribution.

USNM 1251699: a dissected specimen, stained in Harris’ hematoxylin and mounted in Canada balsam (collected 4 March 2011).

USNM 1251700-1251702: from the type locality, 22 Feb 2011, 1 dissected; 4 Mar 2011, 1 whole-mounted; Pettiford Creek, at Millis Road, Carteret County, North Carolina, USA, 15 Mar 2007, 1 whole mount. MNCN 16.03/3084: from the type locality, 22 February 2011, 1 dissected, stained in Harris’ hematoxylin and mounted in Canada balsam, and 1 histologically sectioned, stained with hematoxylin-eosin. CASIZ 197899: Pettiford Creek, 15 Mar 2007, 1 whole mount.

Lake Run, outlet stream draining Little Singletary Lake at SR 1325, in Bladen County, North Carolina, USA.

The specific name refers to pocosin, “swamp-on-a-hill” in the Algonquin Indian language. Most specimens were collected in two sites draining pocosin areas.

From the type locality, 22 Feb 2011, 4 whole mounts, 1 dissected, 1 sagittally sectioned. Pettiford Creek, at Millis Road, Carteret County, North Carolina, USA, 22 Apr 2008, 1 whole mount; 5 Apr 2010, 2 dissected. Drowning Creek at State Road 1004, Moore County, North Carolina, 12 Jan 2009, 1 whole mount. Anderson Creek at SR 2031, Harnett County, North Carolina, 27 Jun 2011, 1 whole mount. All specimens (including the type series) collected by D.R. Lenat.

Number of segments 53–71. Diameter of the body 279–342 µm in segment VIII and 360–441 µm at the clitellum. Prostomium round, 120–154 µm long. Brain back to intersegment 2/3. Secondary annulation (narrow ring in anterior part of segment) well marked from segment VI to IX, not always visible in the postclitellar region, but evident in the caudal region of the body (Figs 4A, 5B). Epidermis in anterior segments 10–16 µm high. Clitellum from segment X to XII, with epithelium 16–34 µm high, formed by small glandular cells arranged in regular transverse rows (Fig. 5E). Chaetae sigmoid, simple-pointed (Fig. 5C), length about equal in dorsal and ventral bundles, shortest in segment II (56–62 µm), progressively longer to the middle of the body (68–82 µm long), and gradually shorter to the end of the body (down to 66 µm). A chaetal gland behind chaetal bundles, conspicuous in anterior segments, smaller posteriorly (Figs 4B, 5D). Nodulus at about 0.3–0.4 from the distal end. Pygidium normally formed (Fig. 5B). Male pores located behind and in line of ventral chaetae of segment X (Fig. 5F). Female pores open in the line of ventral chaetae, in intersegment 11/12. Spermathecal pores opening midway between ventral chaetae and anterior septum, in line with the ventral chaetae, in atrial and 2 postatrial segments. In most sexually mature, fixed individuals, the ventral region of clitellar region is concave with prominent lateral margins (saddle shaped clitellum).

Figure 4. 

Drawings of Cookidrilus pocosinus sp. n. A anterior body region B reproductive organs C detail of the atrium showing the vasa deferentia junction and prostatic cell clusters.

Figure 5. 

Cookidrilus pocosinus sp. n. A Anterior region of the body B caudal region with pygidium C chaetae D chaetal gland behind ventral bundle of chaetae E clitellum F spermathecal and male pores in front of and behind ventral chaetae of segment X G atrium H atrial ampulla showing apical junction of vasa deferentia I atrial ampulla showing junction of prostatic cell clusters J basal junction of vas deferens to atrial ampulla K detail of atrial duct and protruded penis L third spermatheca behind the female segment. A, D, J, K, L histological sections, other photographs from stained whole mounts or dissected specimens.

Pharynx developed mainly dorsally, in segments II and III. Pharyngeal glands in last part of IV, and well developed in V and VI, dorsally and laterally. Chloragogenous tissue starting in the hind part of VI and well developed from VII backwards. Nephridia present on at least one side in VII in some specimens; most specimens have at least one nephridium in XIII, and in a few posterior segments. Nephridiopores inconspicuous, without vesicles; nephridial duct very thin and transparent. Sperm sac extends forward to VIII, and backward to XII–XV. Egg sac back to XIII–XVII.

Two pairs testes, in segments IX and X, and one pair ovaries in segment XI. Two vasa deferentia per atrium (semiprosoporous condition), originating in sperm funnels located in the septa of intersegment 9/10 and 10/11, respectively. Posterior vas deferens not entering segment XI. Vasa deferentia very narrow (8–14 µm diameter), joining the atrium in the ectal (or basal) part of the ampulla, and running through the atrial musculature to the apical part of the atrium, where they open to the atrial lumen (Figs 4B, C, 5H, J). Atrium tubular, with elongated ampulla (86–120 µm long, 26–36 µm diameter) and short duct (34–40 µm long, 24–26 µm diameter). Atrial muscle layer thin, 2–3 μm thick. The columnar inner epithelium of the atrial duct can extend beyond the male pore forming a short, protrusible penis (less than 40 µm long, when protruded) formed by the extension of lining cells of the atrial duct (Figs 4C, 5G, K), extended cells may appear vacuolated. Atrial ampulla with ciliated lumen, and covered by 8–10 well-separated prostate glands formed by clusters of cells, each of which tapers to form a narrow stalk before joining the ampulla (Figs 4C, 5I, J).

Female funnels large, attached to the septum and opening in intersegment 11/12 (Fig. 4B). Three pairs of spermathecae, the first in the atrial segment (X), and the next in the ovarian (XI) and post ovarian (XII) segments. The spermathecae are formed by a bottle-shaped duct (34–86 µm long, 22–38 µm maximum diameter) and an oval ampulla (54–120 µm maximum diameter and 34–90 µm minimum diameter), filled by loose sperm (Figs 4B, 5L). In several of the examined specimens, the ampullar epithelium appeared very much vacuolized, with some vacuoles containing resorbed sperm.

Cookidrilus pocosinus sp. n. has been ascribed to the genus Cookidrilus Rodriguez & Giani, 1987 based on the main diagnostic characters of the genus: 2 pair testes and one pair ovaries, two (anterior and posterior) vasa deferentia joining each atrium, one pair spermathecae in the atrial segment, and subsequent pairs of spermathecae in postatrial segments (Rodriguez and Giani 1987). The groundwater lumbriculid genus Cookidrilus was originally described from the Labouiche Cave in southern France. Since then, another species has been described from the hyporheos of Lachein Creek, a karstic stream in the same geographic region (Route et al. 2004). In the present study, a third species is described from coastal plain habitats of North Carolina (USA), mostly from acidic swamp streams.

In Table 3, we have summarised the main morphological features that distinguish the three species of the genus Cookidrilus. The new species is closer to the type species of the genus, C. speluncaeus Rodriguez & Giani, 1987, based on the presence of three pairs of spermathecae instead of only two pairs in C. ruffoi Giani et al., 2004 (in Route et al. 2004). However, it resembles C. ruffoi in the structure of the prostatic cell layer, which is organised in well-separated clusters that join the atrial ampulla by distinct stalks. The new Nearctic species C. pocosinus is distinguished from both European species by the singular position of the spermathecal pores in front of the ventral chaetae, instead of behind the chaetae (the most common position in lumbriculids). The genus Cookidrilus, previously amended by Route et al. (2004), is now further amended to include some additional diagnostic features.

In the original description of the genus, Rodriguez and Giani (1987) discussed the taxonomic relationships of Cookidrilus with other lumbriculids (Kincaidiana Altman, 1936 and Guestphalinus Michaelsen, 1933) having a pair of spermathecae in the atrial segment. Kincaidiana hexatheca Altman, 1936 is endemic to North America where there are also representatives of the genus Guestphalinus (S. Fend, unpublished data). However, although the former has a similar arrangement of spermathecae to C. speluncaeus, a combination of characters clearly distinguishes it from Cookidrilus: a proboscis, a forward shift of reproductive organs, a single pair of testes, and one prosoporous vas deferens per atrium (Fend 2009). In addition, morphology of the atria, spermathecae, and chaetae does not resemble that of the known Cookidrilus species. Guestphalinus is semiprosoporous, but has only one pair of spermathecae, and like Kincaidiana, has a proboscis. Guestphalinus also has a forward shift in reproductive organs relative to the position in Cookidrilus.

The presence of penis may be a common generic character in Cookidrilus, since it is only absent in the type species, C. speluncaeus. On the other hand, C. ruffoi differs in the number of spermathecae. The analysis of lumbriculid genera performed by Brinkhurst (1989) stated that characters related to number and placement of the spermathecae (characters 7 and 9 in that analysis) were subject to changes/reversals in the resulting phylogenetic tree, and such variations are probably not highly significant. Thus, variation in number of spermathecal segments within Cookidrilus (3 in two species, versus 2 in C. ruffoi) is not extraordinary, as similar variation occurs in other lumbriculid genera such as Trichodrilus and Rhynchelmis Hoffmeister, 1843 (see Cook 1971).

The position of spermathecal pores in front of the ventral chaetae is an unusual feature of the new Cookidrilus species. Spermathecal pores in lumbriculids are usually placed behind the chaetae of the corresponding segment, and in the other 2 species of Cookidrilus, even the first spermatheca opens in the narrow space between the ventral chaetae and the male pores. This character is shared with several Nearctic lumbriculids: K. hexatheca (for the first pair of spermathecae), some Rhynchelmis species (in Fend and Brinkhurst 2000), and Eclipidrilus pacificus Fend, 2005.

Cookidrilus pocosinus sp. n. appears to have a life cycle adapted to seasonal drying of surface flow. This is the first record of Cookidrilus in North America, and it is also the first report of the genus in a non-subterranean habitat. This species has been found so far in four North Carolina streams, but almost all specimens were from Lake Run and Pettiford Creek. These streams are both located in the southern Coastal Plain, in relatively undisturbed watersheds, and drain pocosin areas with peat soils. Both streams have extremely low pH values (often less than 4.0), very low conductivity, and dry up completely during summer droughts. In Lake Run, most specimens were found in shaded sections, in midstream areas with both good flow and a fine sand substrate. In Pettiford Creek, the substrate consisted of fine sand covered by a layer of organic debris. These data indicate that C. pocosinus is usually associated with very low pH, although single specimens were collected from a seasonally inundated side channel of Drowning Creek, and from the main channel of Anderson Creek. Both of those streams have average pH values near 5.5.

(amended by Route et al. 2004, and modified here with additions in italics): Type species. Cookidrilus speluncaeus Rodriguez & Giani, 1987.

Chaetae sigmoid, simple-pointed. One pair male pores in segment X (the second testis-bearing segment), behind and in line with the ventral chaetae. Two or three pairs spermathecae; first pair in the atrial segment, anterior to male pores, and one pair in the first, or in the first and second postatrial segments. Two pair testes, in IX and X. One pair atria in the second testicular segment. Semiprosoporous male duct, two vasa deferentia per atrium. Prostatic cells either in a simple diffuse layer or forming discrete clusters. One pair ovaries located in the first postatrial segment (XI).

USNM 1251703: A whole-mounted specimen in Canada balsam (collected 19 Jan 2010).

USNM 1251704-1251707: 17 Feb 2007, 1 whole mount; 19 Jan 2010, 2 whole mounts; 5 Apr 2010, 1 dissected. MNCN 16.03/3085: 19 Jan 2010, 1 dissected and 1 histologically sectioned; 5 Apr 2010, 1 whole mount, stained in borax carmine. CASIZ 197900: 16 Feb 2011, 2 dissected. All from the type locality.

Pettiford Creek at Millis Road, Carteret County, North Carolina, USA.

This species is named in honor of Jesse Edward (Ed) Corey III, an Inventory Biologist at the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. We celebrate Ed’s unwavering interest in all animals and plants, including our beloved oligochaete worms.

From the type locality: 17 Feb 2007, 1 dissected. 30 Sep 2009, 7 whole mounts, 1 dissected. 19 Jan 2010, 5 whole mounts, 2 dissected, 3 sectioned (2 sagittal, 1 transverse), 2 in alcohol. 5 Apr 2010, 6 whole mounts, 2 dissected. 16 Feb 2011, 1 whole mount, 10 in alcohol. Floodplain seeps in Drowning Creek floodplain at State Road 1004, Moore County, North Carolina: 31 Dec 2008, 2 whole mounts. 12 Jan 2009, 2 whole mounts, 5 dissected. 17 Feb 2011, 1 whole mount. All specimens (including the type series) collected by D.R. Lenat.

Number of segments 53–69. In 27 unmounted specimens, body length 11.7–14.2 mm, diameter of the body in segment VIII, 240–585 µm (mean 379 µm); maximum diameter in the clitellar region to 760 µm (mean 467 µm); midbody diameter 330–630 µm (mean 429 µm). Prostomium round or conical, 142–196 µm long (Figs 6A, 7A). Brain deeply lobed, back to septum 2/3. Clitellum saddle-shaped, formed by cells in distinct rows (Fig. 7C), extending from the anterior part of segment X (from the level of chaetae) to the end of segment XII. Epidermis 6–17 µm high in anterior segments, and up to 23–34 µm in the clitellum; 25–32 µm high in the prostomium. Secondary annulation (a narrow ring in anterior part of segment) usually in IV to IX.

Figure 6. 

Drawings of Stylodrilus coreyi sp. n. A–B Anterior part of the body showing double annulation and genital pores (A) and digestive tract with associated glands (B) C details of male duct D reproductive organs.

Figure 7. 

Stylodrilus coreyi sp. n. A Anterior part of the body, B: simple-pointed chaeta C clitellum D nephridial efferent duct in ventral part of posterior segment (anterior part facing up) E–G consecutive histological sections of male duct H–I details of prostatic glands and connection to atrial ampulla J spermathecal ampulla K spermathecal duct L female funnel. E–L histological sections, other photographs from stained whole mounts or dissected specimens.

Chaetae simple-pointed (Fig. 7B), nodulus at 0.3 (rarely at 0.4) from the ectal end, of similar size in dorsal and ventral bundles or slightly longer in ventral bundles; smaller in segment II (63–70 µm), length increasing in the anterior segments to segment VIII (73–116 µm), and usually smaller in the posterior part of the body (71–111 µm, down to 63 µm).

One pair spermathecal pores in segment IX and one pair male pores in segment X, in line with and behind the ventral bundles of chaetae (one specimen from Drowning Creek regenerating the anterior part of the body, with spermathecal pores in VII and male pores in VIII). One pair female pores in the intersegment 11/12.

Pharyngeal pad well-developed dorsally, usually extending through IV; pharyngeal glands from the posterior part of segment IV back to VIII, dorso-lateral and ventral to the gut in segments V to VIII (Fig. 6B). Chloragogen cells covering the gut from the posterior part of segment VI onwards. Nephridia with long efferent ducts observed in segment VII and in some postclitellar segments, tubular shaped, running ventrally through several segments (Fig. 7D); nephridiopores without vesicles, in front of ventral chaetae. Lateral blood vessels absent in posterior segments. Two pairs testes, in anterior part of segments IX and X, and one pair ovaries in segment XI. Sperm sacs back to segment XV or XVI (never observed extending forward), and egg sacs back to XVI or XVII.

Semiprosoporous male ducts, with one anterior vas deferens attached to the sperm funnel in intersegment 9/10, and the posterior one to the funnel in 10/11, the anterior being longer (280–480 µm) than the posterior (215–300 µm). Both funnels appear deflected backward, somewhat behind their respective septa when full of sperm. Vasa deferentia (15)20–28 µm in diameter, to 34 µm close to the sperm funnel. Posterior vas deferens does not enter postatrial segment (Figs 6D, 7G). Atrium elongate (176–390 µm total length, including the penis), with the ampulla (120–184 µm long, 43–70 µm maximum diameter) usually restricted to segment X, but in some individuals passing into segment XI. Several discrete clusters of prostatic cells (44–100 µm high) join the atrium by distinct stalks that traverse the atrial musculature (Fig. 7E–I). Atrium length 0.45–0.70 (usually c. 0.50) times the body diameter at the clitellum. Short atrial duct not distinctly separated from the ampulla, narrowing to about 24 µm wide, the male pore on a short penis (25 µm long), in a shallow fold of the body wall. Several dorso-ventral muscular strands are associated with the male pore. Atrial epithelium very granulated, 14–19 µm high, and atrial lumen ciliated; atrial musculature thin (4–6 µm thick). Vasa deferentia join the atrium at about the basal one third, and run under the atrial musculature to the most apical part of the ampulla, where they open to the atrial lumen (Figs 6C, 7G).

One pair spermathecae, with ampullae typically located in segments IX and X, oval to nearly spherical (174–331 µm diameter, 205–348 µm long), containing a mass of loose sperm in the ectal part, sometimes together with amorphous material (Figs 6D, 7J). Ampulla with thin epithelium in ectal part (about 5–10 μm); epithelium with large, irregular cells (to over 50 μm), which may fill the lumen in ental part; no sorptive vacuoles were observed. Spermathecal duct long (150–247 µm) and relatively thin (22–31 µm diameter), slightly widening at ectal end up to 42 µm; with narrow, columnar cells and thin (<5 μm) muscle coat. One pair female funnels open ventrally in intersegment 11/12 (Figs 6D, 7L).

Worms from Downing Cr are generally larger than those from Pettiford Cr (see Table 4), but morphology is otherwise similar.

Stylodrilus coreyi sp. n. conforms to the general diagnosis of the genus Stylodrilus Claparède, 1862 (see Rodriguez and Coates 1996), which includes most known lumbriculid species with 2 pairs of testes and one pair of ovaries, one pair of spermathecae in the first testicular segment, and one pair of semiprosoporous male ducts in the second testicular segment. According to Hrabě (1929, 1970), the genus Bythonomus Grube, 1880, which had the same arrangement of reproductive organs, was restricted to those species with all chaetae simple-pointed, 2 pairs of branched lateral blood vessels (sometimes only bifurcate or absent), tubular or oval atria, and vasa deferentia opening basally (ectally) to the atrium. Bythonomus was classified as junior synonym of Stylodrilus by Brinkhurst (1965), a decision that was refuted by Hrabě (1970), and still divides taxonomists in the present. For example, Giani and Martínez-Ansemil (1984) accepted the synonymy, and used the characters of S. glandulosus as an example to invalidate Bythonomus as a genus; this view is actually supported by most authors (e.g., Rodriguez 1988, Timm 2009). However, Kaygorodova and Martin (2008), still supported a distinction between Bythonomus and Stylodrilus, based on the shape of chaetae. Until the taxonomic status of Stylodrilus is clarified by molecular analyses, we accept the synonymy, since several species of the Stylodrilus complex have a mixture of Bythonomus-like and Stylodrilus-like characters. In the present case, the new species has simple-pointed chaetae and tubular atria, but no posterior lateral blood vessels have been observed, and although the junction of vasa deferentia is basal, the opening to the atrial lumen is completely apical. The junction of the vasa deferentia to the atrium is not always easily defined as basal or apical in the “Bythonomus group”, but rather it occurs in every possible position from basal to apical (Brinkhurst and Wetzel 1984). Besides, the atrial shape can be difficult to categorize in species with long atrial ducts that gradually widen toward the ampulla.

Stylodrilus coreyi sp. n. belongs to a group of Stylodrilus species with simple-pointed chaetae, elongate atrium, and posterior vas deferens not forming a loop in the postatrial segment (Table 5). Within this group, S. coreyi is distinguished by several features of the male duct: atrium length about half (0.5–0.7) times the diameter of the body at the clitellum; a very short, barely differentiated atrial duct forming a short penis within a fold of the body wall; the atrial ampulla covered by large clusters of discrete prostatic glands, entering the atrium through narrow passages; vasa deferentia joining the atrium in the basal third of its length, and opening to the atrial lumen at the apical end.

Among this group of species, S. wahkeenensis Rodriguez & Coates, 1996 can be distinguished from S. coreyi not only by the remarkable shape of the chaetae (proximal nodulus, hair-like in dorsal bundles, and enlarged, hook-shaped in ventral bundles of segment II), but also by the position and structure of the atrium (in segment IX, small and covered by a simple, diffuse layer of prostatic cells, with no duct or penis observed). Of the other species in that group, S. glandulosus Giani & Martínez-Ansemil, 1984 and S. curvithecus Collado et al., 1993 are separated from congeners by clear apomorphies, such as a muscular, bulbous penial sac with associated glandular complex, and a long atrial duct. Stylodrilus beattiei Cook, 1975 and S. tschaunensis Morev, 1982 also have simple-pointed chaetae and vas deferens not penetrating the postatrial segment, but they are well distinguished from this species group by the distinctly petiolate atrium with oval or pyriform ampulla, short atrial duct, and absence of a penis. Other species of the genus in which the posterior vas deferens does not penetrate the post-atrial segment are S. cernosvitovi Hrabě, 1950, S. mirandus (Hrabě, 1982), and S. aclotudi Kaygorodova & Martin, 2008, but they all have bifid chaetae.

Stylodrilus species with simple chaetae and an elongate to tubular atrium with short atrial duct include S. absoloni (Hrabě, 1970), S. lemani and S. chukotensis Sokolskaya, 1975, but in these species, the vas deferens penetrates the post-atrial segment, forming a loop. Another species in this group is S. sulci (Hrabě, 1934), distinguished from S. coreyi by the median junction of vasa deferentia to the atrium, the entrance of the posterior vas deferens into the postatrial segment, and the absence of a penis.

In North America, there are only five Stylodrilus species known so far, one of which is cosmopolitan (S. heringianus Claparède, 1862). Stylodrilus beattiei (Cook, 1975) was the first Nearctic Stylodrilus species described, from a cave in West Virginia. Subsequently, S. sovaliki (Holmquist, 1976) was described from lakes in Alaska. Later, S. californianus Rodriguez, 1996 was discovered in subterranean waters in eastern California, and S. wahkeenensis Rodriguez & Coates, 1996, was described from hyporheic waters and small streams associated with subterranean waters of Oregon and southeastern USA.

The low number of Stylodrilus species in North America may be related in part to the tendency of researchers in this area to erect new genera for those taxa with very distinct apomorphies (e.g., Spelaedrilus Cook, 1975, Phagodrilus McKey-Fender & Fender, 1988, Tenagodrilus Eckroth & Brinkhurst, 1996), despite a general arrangement of the reproductive system that fits the Stylodrilus pattern. This situation indicates the need for a sound revision of the genus, since some Stylodrilus species can in fact be closer to other genera.

Stylodrilus coreyi sp. n. has been collected from seeps and pools in humic coastal plain streams (Drowning and Pettiford Creeks), most commonly outside of the main channel. These habitats have a temporary flow regime, with seasonal drying during summer months. S. coreyi was mostly collected in detritus over a layer of fine sand. Both streams have very high water quality (NCDENR 2007, 2011), but pH values are higher in Drowning Creek (usually about 5.5) than in Pettiford Creek (< 4.3). This suggests that S. coreyi tolerates extremely low pH values, but does not require such conditions. Interestingly, lumbriculids found in this kind of habitat have also congeneric relatives in groundwaters (three of five described Stylodrilus species in the Nearctic region are subterranean; see also Cookidrilus pocosinus remarks, above).