New earthworms of Pheretima and Pithemera (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Mt. Arayat, Luzon Island, Philippines

Abstract

Three new species of Pheretima and two new species of Pithemera are described from Mt. Arayat: Pheretima arayatensis sp. n., Pheretima simsi sp. n., and Pheretima castilloi sp. n., Pithemera rotunda sp. n., and Pithemera philippinensis sp. n. Pheretima arayatensis sp. n., Pheretima simsi sp. n., and Pheretima castilloi sp. n. have spermathecae in segment ix, vi, and vi-viii, respectively. Pithemera rotunda sp. n., and Pithemera philippinensis sp. n. have spermathecae in segment v-ix. The former species has numerous circular genital markings, but the latter Pithemera species has no genital markings. Descriptions of the new species are provided, including illustrations of the ventral view, male pore region, and spermathecae.