Perichaeta bicincta Perrier, 1875, by original designation.

Pithemera members are easily recognized by the origin of intestinal caeca at xxii. Sims & Easton (1972) divided Pithemera into three groups: P. sedgwicki group with intestinal caeca characters being single in mid-ventral, P. bicincta group with intestinal caeca being paired laterally and first spermathecal pores in 4/5, and P. pacifica group with intestinal caeca being paired laterally, first spermathecal pores in 5/6 and four thecal segments. Currently, the genus consists of 26 nominal species distributed mainly in New Guinea, and the Philippines (http://taxo.drilobase.org).

Holotype. 1 mature (MZB Oli. 062), yards (00°53'05"S, 123°17'50"E), elevation of 5 m a.s.l., Lomba village, Banggai district, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, 26 March 2016, coll. Mihwan Sataral, Sofyan Ladjatang, Endang Prasetyawati Wahyunigsih, and F. Fahri. Paratypes. 4 matures (MZB Oli. 063) and 3 matures (UNTAD Oli. 008), same data as for holotype.

Medium size, length 135–165 mm, diameter 4.5–5.5 mm at x and 4.5–6.5mm at xx, segments 110–127. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 12/13. Setae 27–38 in v, 33–49 in vii, 38–54 in viii and 64–74 in xxv, and 7–12 between male porophores in xviii. Spermathecal pores arranged in four pairs, 5/6–8/9. Male pores paired, discharging directly onto surface of xviii. Genital markings absent. Holandric. Intestinal caeca originating from xxii, paired laterally.

The species is named after Dr I Nengah Suwastika, head of the Biology Department of Tadulako University for his kind support of our study on Sulawesi earthworms.

External characters. Body generally cylindrical. Medium size, length 135–165 mm, diameter 4.5–5.5 mm at x and 4.5–6.5mm at xx, segments 110–127. Brownish red on dorsum, dark brown around clitellum and yellowish white on ventrum, especially in living specimens (Fig. 2A). After fixation, coloration brownish red on dorsum and whitish on ventrum.

Figure 2. 

Pithemera suwastikai sp. n., holotype. A Living specimen (dorsal view); B Spermathecal pore; C Spermathecae, right side on intrasegmental 5/6/7/8/9 (am = ampulla; dv = diverticulum); D Prostate gland; E Male pore region (mp = male pore); F Intestinal caecum. Scale bars: 50 mm (A), 1 mm (B–F).

Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 12/13. Setae regularly distributed around segmental equators: 27–38 in v, 33–49 in vii (Table 1), 38–54 in viii and 64–74 in xxv,7–12 between male porophores in xviii; setae distance aa=1–1.2ab, zz=1–3zy. Clitellum annular, xiv–xvi, smooth without setae and dorsal pores. Female pore single, mid-ventral in xiv.

Spermathecal pores small, slightly rounded, lateroventrally paired in 5/6–8/9 (Fig. 2A). No genital markings in the spermathecal region (Fig. 2B).

The openings of male pores small, on the setal ring of xviii, paired and discharging directly onto surface of xviii (Fig. 2E); ventral distance between male pores approx. 0.2x body circumference. Genital markings absent in the male region.

Internal characters. Septa 3/4/5/6/7/8 thick, 8/9 absent, 9/10/11/12/13 thin. Gizzard round within viii-x. Last hearts in xiii. Intestine origin at xv; caeca originating at xxii, extending anteriorly to xx, simple and paired laterally (Fig. 2F). Esophageal pouches absent. Typhlosole simple.

Four pairs of spermathecae paired in vi–ix. Ampulla round; duct enlarged, stout, approx. 1/4–1/2 as long as ampulla; no nephridia on spermathecal ducts. Diverticulum cylindrical, longer than ampulla, attached to base of ducts (Fig. 2C). No accessory glands.

Holandric. Testes sacs paired in x–xi, small, separated, ventral, yellowish. Seminal vesicles in xi–xii. Ovaries paired on xiii. Prostate gland racemose paired within xvi–xx or xvii–xx. Prostatic ducts long and U–shaped (Fig. 2D). No accessory glands.

Specimens were collected in yards at Lomba village, Banggai district, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia at 5 m a.s.l. The species was found in sandy soils at depths of 0–10 cm, around the roots of banana trees planted 1–2 m away from houses. No other specimens were collected despite continued collecting effort. The specimens were collected at an elevation of 50 meters above sea level. When collected, earthworms were moving actively on the ground.

This new species belongs to the Pithemera pacifica group characterized by having the first spermathecal pores in 5/6 and four thecal segments (Sims and Easton 1972). This group currently consists of three species, P. pacifica (Beddard, 1899) from New Guinea and Samoa, P. dahli (Ude, 1905) from New Guinea, and P. donvictorianoi (Aspe & James, 2015) from the Philippines. Although Pithemera suwastikai sp. n. is classified into Pithemera pacifica group because of the presence of four thecal segments (5/6–8/9), the new species is totally differentiated from P. pacifica (Beddard, 1899) in having larger size (length 135–165 mm vs. up to 56 mm), holandric (vs. metandric), a single female pore (vs. a pair of female pores (see James et al. 2004)), clitellum in xiv–xvi without setae (vs. in xiv–xv/xvi with setae), absence of genital markings (vs. presence of genital markings).

The new species has similar characters to P. donvictorianoi Aspe & James, 2015, e.g., in the number of spermathecal pores, but different in clitellum (xiv–xvi vs. xiv–xv), setae on vii (33–49 vs. 42–48). P. suwastikai sp. n. also has different length with P. donvictorianoi (135–165 mm vs. 41–58 mm) and diameter (4.5–5.5 mm vs. 2.5–3.0 mm). In addition, P. donvictorianoi is a white worm, with small, narrow, oval spermathecal ampulla; ducts short, slender; diverticulum stalk short, attached to ducts, terminating in short ovate receptacle. In contrast, P. suwastikai sp. n. has brownish red pigment on dorsum, dark brown around clitellum and yellowish white on ventrum; ampulla rounded; ducts enlarged, approx. 1/4–1/2 as long as ampulla; diverticulum cylindrical, longer than ampulla, attached to base of ducts.

This new species is also similar to P. dahli (Ude, 1905) by having spermathecal pores in 5/6–8/9 and dorsal pore in 12/13. However, it differs from P. dahli in larger size (length: 135–165 mm vs. 70 mm; diameter 4.5–6.5 mm vs. 2.5 mm), absence of genital markings (vs. genital markings in x, xi, xvii–xxi), holandric (vs. metandric), and prostate glands in xvi–xx or xvii–xx (vs. in xvi–xxii). P. suwastikai sp. n. has also similar characters to P. pacifica (Beddard, 1899) in spermathecal pores (5/6–8/9) and dorsal pore (12/13), but it is totally different in absence of genital markings (vs. present in x, xi, xvii–xxi) and holandric (vs. metandric). The comparison of the four species is presented in Table 1.

Holotype.1 mature (MZB Oli. 064), Puncak Jiti, natural forest, Lore Lindu National Park, Sigi district, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia (01°29'18"S, 120°02'09"E), elevation 1,370 m a.s.l., 28 May 2017, coll. Rizki Amaliah, Mus’af, Donny Aprilyanto. Paratypes. 2 matures (MZB Oli. 065), same data as for holotype. 1 mature (UNTAD Oli. 009), ca. 50 meters southwest of Kalimpa’a Lake (riverside entrance/inlet Kalimpa’a Lake), secondary forest, Lore Lindu National Park, Poso district, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia (01°19'33"S, 120°18'29"E), elevation 1,600 m a.s.l, 26 August 2017, coll. F Fahri, Sahlan, Evans Madiyono, Sucipto Suherman. 1 mature (UNTAD Oli. 010), ca. 50 meters north of the edge of Kalimpa’a Lake, around a water reservoir, same data as for paratypes, 11 November 2017, coll. Sahlan.

Large size, length 217–340 mm, diameter 13–15 mm, segments 120–123; darkish blue on dorsum, purplish brown around clitellum and yellowish white on ventrum. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 12/13. Setae 42–56 in v, 48–65 in vii, 44–69 in viii and 55 in xxv, and no setae between male porophores in xviii. Spermathecal pores lateroventrally paired in 7/8/9. Male pores paired, discharging directly onto surface of xviii. Genital markings absent. Holandric.

The species is named after the well–known Tadulako University in central Sulawesi. ‘Tadulako’ means a ‘leader’ in indigenous culture of central Sulawesi.

External characters. Body generally cylindrical; large size, length 217–340 mm, diameter 13–14 mm at x and 15 mm at xx, segments 120–123. Darkish blue on dorsum, purplish brown around clitellum and yellowish white on ventrum, especially for living specimens (Fig. 3A). After fixation, color grayish blue on dorsum and yellowish white on ventrum.

Figure 3. 

Pithemera tadulako sp. n., holotype. A Living specimen (lateral view); B Spermathecal pore; C Spermathecae, right side on intrasegmental 7/8/9 (am = ampulla; dv = diverticulum); D Prostate gland; E Male pore region (mp = male pore); F Intestinal caecum. Scale bars: 50 mm (A), 1 mm (B–F).

Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 12/13. Setae 42–56 in v, 48–65 in vii, 44–69 in viii and 55 at xxv, no setae between male porophores in xviii; setae distance aa=1–1.2ab, zz=1–2zy. Clitellum annular, xiv–xvi, smooth without setae and dorsal pores. Female pore single, mid-ventral in xiv.

Spermathecal pores small, lateroventrally paired in 7/8/9 (Fig. 3B). No genital markings in the spermathecal region.

Male pores small, forming vertical lines, paired and discharging directly onto surface of xviii (Fig. 3E); copulatory pouches absent; ventral distance between pores approx. 0.02x body circumference. Genital markings absent in the male region.

Internal characters. Septa 3/4/5/6/7/8 thick, 8/9 absent, 9/10/11/12/13 thin. Pharyngeal gizzard within viii–x. Last hearts in xiii. Intestine originating at xv; caeca originating at xxii, extending anteriorly to xx, simple (Fig. 3F). Oesophageal pouches absent. Typhlosole simple.

Two pairs of large spermathecae in viii–ix. Spermathecal ampulla oval; duct stout and very short; no nephridia on spermathecal ducts. Diverticulum claviform, much shorter than ampulla, attached to ducts (Fig. 3C). No accessory glands.

Holandric. Testes sacs paired in x–xi, large, separated, ventral, yellowish. Seminal vesicles in xi–xii. Ovaries paired on xiii. Prostate glands racemose, paired in xvii–xix (Fig. 3D). Prostatic ducts U–shaped, but invisible from dorsal view because of being hidden under prostate glands. No accessory glands.

Specimens were collected in Puncak Jiti, Toro village, South Kulawi sub-district, Sigi district at 1,370 m a.s.l. and near Kalimpa’a Lake, Lore Lindu National Park at 1,600 m a.s.l. This species was found on the surface of soils after rains that contains a lot of leaf litter.

The new species is totally different from species groups divided by Sims and Easton (1972) in first spermathecal pores in 7/8 and two thecal segments. The new species is clearly different from all other Pithemera species in its very large size (length 217–340 mm, diameter 13–14 mm at x and 15 mm at xx, segments 120–123), and color of living specimens (dark blue on dorsum, purplish brown around clitellum, and yellowish white on ventrum, color after fixation grayish blue on dorsum and yellowish white on ventrum).

The new species is somewhat similar to P. viengthongensis Hong &James, 2008 from Laos by having spermathecal pores in 7/8/9 and absence of genital markings. However, P. tadulako sp. n. is long (217–340 mm), and has more setae on vii (48–65), spermathecal ampulla being oval, ducts enlarged, short and stout; diverticulum cylindrical, shorter than ampulla. In contrast, P. viengthongensis is short (39 mm), has fewer setae on vii (37), spermathecal ampulla being ovate, smooth surface, duct short, thick; diverticulum stalk long and slender, chamber and chili-shaped. Moreover, two species are also distinguished by ventral distance between male porophores (0.02x body circumference in P. tadulako vs. 0.31x in P. viengthongensis).

Rhodopis javanica Kinberg, 1867, by monotypy.

This genus currently contains approximately 198 species widely distributed in the Oriental regions from Japan southwards through the Indo-Australasian archipelago to the rain forests of Australasia eastwards through Oceania (http://taxo.drilobase.org/index.php?title=Metaphire).

Holotype. 1 mature (MZB Oli. 066), hiking trail No.1 (01°25'18.44"S, 119°55'00.14"E), elevation of 1,120 m a.s.l., 25 November 2017, natural forest of Mt. Torompupu (Quarlesi Mountain), Salua village, Kulawi sub-district, Sigi district, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, coll. Anna J Holmquest, F Fahri. Paratypes. 1 mature (UNTAD Oli. 011), hiking trail No.2 (01°25'17.54"S, 119°53'53.4"E), elevation 1,360 m a.s.l., 24 November 2017, same data as for holotype, coll. Jackie Childers & S Sarino.

Large size, length 250–280 mm, diameter 12–16 mm, segments 117–119; purplish blue on dorsum, and paler on ventrum. Prostomium 1/3 epilobous. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Setae 36–51 in v, 45–54 in vii, 41–59 in viii and 43–51 in xxv, and no setae between male porophores in xviii. Male pores located in xviii, within copulatory pouches. Genital markings present only in the male region. Spermathecal pores lateroventrally paired in 7/8/9. Holandric. Intestinal caeca complex or lobed mesially.

The species is named after Dr H M Rusydi Hasanuddin, Dean of Faculty of Sciences at Tadulako University, for his kind support to the authors for this research.

External characters. Body generally cylindrical. Large size, length 250–280 mm, diameter 12–16 mm at x and 13–15 mm at xx, segments 117–119. Purplish blue on dorsum through the lateral region, clitellum purplish brown on dorsum through the lateral region and paler on ventrum, especially for living specimens (Fig. 4A–C). After fixation, color grayish blue on dorsum and yellowish white on ventrum.

Figure 4. 

Metaphire rusydii sp. n., holotype. A Living specimen (dorsal view); B Living specimen (ventral view of male pore region); C Preserved specimen (dorsal view); D Spermathecal pore; E Spermathecae, right side on intrasegmental 7/8/9 (am = ampulla; dv = diverticulum); F Prostate gland; G Male pore region (cp = opening copulatory pouch); H Intestinal caecum. Scale bars: 50 mm (A), 1 mm (C–H).

Prostomium 1/3 epilobous. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Setae regularly distributed around segmental equators, 36–51 in v, 45–54 in vii, 41–59 in viii and 43–51 in xxv, no setae between male porophores in xviii; setae distance aa=ab, zz=1–1.2zy. Clitellum annular, within xiv–xvi, smooth without setae and dorsal pores. Female pore single, mid-ventral in xiv.

Spermathecal pores obviously visible, horizontally elongated, jagged, or small, ventrally paired in 7/8/9 (Fig. 4D). Ventral distance between spermathecal pores 0.04x body circumference, and horizontal length of pores ca. 2–3 mm.

Male pores deeply located inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring of xviii. The openings of copulatory pouches horizontally elongated, with swollen edges; ventral distance between male porophores 0.02x body circumference (Fig. 4G). Three pairs of small, rounded genital markings including two in front of the setal rings of xvii and xx, and one medially located in the setal ring of xix (Fig. 4G). Ventral distance between genital markings in xvii and xx about 0.07x body circumference, and less than 0.01x body circumference in xix.

Internal characters. Septa 3/4/5/6/7/8 and 10/11/12/13 thick, 8/9 membranous and 9/10 absent. Gizzard in viii. Last hearts in xiii. Intestine beginning in xv; caeca laterally paired, complex or lobed mesially, originating at xxvii, then extending anteriorly to xxii (Fig. 4H). Pharyngeal micronephridia developed on anterior faces of 5/6/7. Lymph glands not seen. Typhlosole simple, poorly developed.

Spermathecae paired in viii and ix. Spermathecal ampulla large, oval shaped; ducts stout and short, 1/5 as long as ampulla. Diverticulum cylindrical, much shorter than ampulla, attached to ducts; distal part enlarged to a rounded seminal chamber (Fig. 4E). No nephridia on spermathecal ducts. No accessory glands in the spermathecal region.

Holandric. Testes sacs paired in x–xi, large, separated, ventral, yellowish. The copulatory pouches hidden inside body wall. Seminal vesicles in xi–xii. Ovaries paired on xiii, oviduct and ovisac developing in xiii. Prostate glands racemose, paired in xvii–xix (Fig. 4F). Prostatic duct U–shaped, invisible from dorsal view since being hidden under prostate glands. No accessory glands.

Specimens were collected in Mt. Torompupu (Quarlessi Mountain), natural forest at 1,120 m a.s.l. and 1,360 m a.s.l. This species was found on soil surface in piles of leaf litter after rains. According to local hunters in Mt. Torompupu, the species can be mostly found after rains and usually observed on old trails in the forest. We did not find this species at an altitude of less than 1,000 m a.s.l.; presumably, the species may be distributed in an altitude of more than 1,000 m a.s.l.

The new species, Metaphire rusydii sp. n., belongs to the schmardae-group, which is characterized by two thecal segments, holandry, and having structure multiple/complex of intestinal caeca (Sims and Easton 1972). This new species is fairly similar to M. schmardae (Horst, 1883) by having spermathecal pores in 7/8/9, holandry, and complex intestinal caeca in xxvii. However, they are different in number of setae between male porophores (0 vs. 12–14 setae). M. rusydii sp. n. is also similar to M. xuanlocensis (Nguyen & Lam, 2017) by having first spermathecal pore in 7/8 and first dorsal pore in 11/12. However, M. xuanlocensis has only one pair of spermathecal pores (in 7/8) whereas M. rusydii sp. n. has two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8/9. This new species is somewhat similar to Metaphire isselii (Cognetti, 1908) by having small male pores and holandry. However, they are different in the position of male pores (xviii vs. xix), spermathecal pores (7/8/9 vs. 6/7–8/9) and first dorsal pore (11/12 vs. 12/13).