Estruturas de comunidades de animais de solo e sobrevivência dos caracóis terrestres numa ilha do Arquipélago Ogasawara

On Chichijima, one of the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands located in the Western Pacific Ocean, land snails have declined, the suggested cause being predation pressure by an invasive flatworm (Platydemus manokwari). Soil fauna were investigated in areas where the snail survives, and where it has become extinct. Much of the fauna, dominated by introduced earthworms and ants, was undiminished, however, one undescribed but endemic carabid (Badister sp.), which selectively feeds on land snails, was absent in snail-extinct areas. The invasive flatworm P. manokwari has been reported to feed also on the carcasses of earthworms, as well as on live snails, and is therefore expected to occur in most parts of Chichijima Island. Among other groups, the density of isopods (also dominated by exotic species) was very low, in comparison with the reported ones 30 years ago. Community structure is currently reflected by dominance of earthworms and ants, decline of endemic isopods, and a high frequency of introduced or alien species.Em Chichijima, uma das ilhas do Arquipélago Ogasawara (Bonin), localizado no Oceano Pacífico Ocidental, o número de caracóis terrestres diminuiu, e a causa provável é a predação por uma planária invasora (Platydemus manokwari). A fauna edáfica foi avaliada nas áreas onde o caracol sobreviveu e onde se extinguiu. Grande parte da fauna, dominada inicialmente por minhocas e formigas, não diminuiu; contudo, um carabídeo endêmico e não descrito (Badister sp.), que se alimenta de caracóis terrestres, não estava presente nas áreas em que o caracol foi extinto. Sabe-se que a planária invasiva P. manokwari se alimenta não só das carcaças das minhocas, mas também de caracóis vivos, e por isso habita a maior parte da Ilha Chichijima. Entre outros grupos, a densidade de isópodos (também dominados por espécies exóticas) foi muita baixa, em comparação aos relatos feitos 30 anos antes. A estrutura da comunidade é refletida atualmente pela dominância de minhocas e formigas, declínio de isópodos endêmicos, e uma alta frequência de espécies introduzidas ou exóticas

Switching dynamics between metastable ordered magnetic state and nonmagnetic ground state - A possible mechanism for photoinduced ferromagnetism -

By studying the dynamics of the metastable magnetization of a statistical mechanical model we propose a switching mechanism of photoinduced magnetization. The equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of the Blume-Capel (BC) model, which is a typical model exhibiting metastability, are studied by mean field theory and Monte Carlo simulation. We demonstrate reversible changes of magnetization in a sequence of changes of system parameters, which would model the reversible photoinduced magnetization. Implications of the calculated results are discussed in relation to the recent experimental results for prussian blue analogs.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figure

A Comprehensive Resource of Interacting Protein Regions for Refining Human Transcription Factor Networks

Large-scale data sets of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are a valuable resource for mapping and analysis of the topological and dynamic features of interactome networks. The currently available large-scale PPI data sets only contain information on interaction partners. The data presented in this study also include the sequences involved in the interactions (i.e., the interacting regions, IRs) suggested to correspond to functional and structural domains. Here we present the first large-scale IR data set obtained using mRNA display for 50 human transcription factors (TFs), including 12 transcription-related proteins. The core data set (966 IRs; 943 PPIs) displays a verification rate of 70%. Analysis of the IR data set revealed the existence of IRs that interact with multiple partners. Furthermore, these IRs were preferentially associated with intrinsic disorder. This finding supports the hypothesis that intrinsically disordered regions play a major role in the dynamics and diversity of TF networks through their ability to structurally adapt to and bind with multiple partners. Accordingly, this domain-based interaction resource represents an important step in refining protein interactions and networks at the domain level and in associating network analysis with biological structure and function

Data from: Evolution of a key trait greatly affects underground community assembly process through habitat adaptation in earthworms

Underground community assemblies have not been studied well compared with aboveground communities, despite their importance for our understanding of whole ecosystems. To investigate underground community assembly over evolutionary time scales, we examined terrestrial earthworm communities (Oligochaeta: Haplotaxida) in conserved mountainous primary forests in Japan as a model system. We collected 553 earthworms mostly from two dominant families, the Megascolecidae and the Lumbricidae, from 12 sites. We constructed a molecular taxonomic unit tree based on the analysis of three genes to examine the effects of a biogeographic factor (dispersal ability) and an evolutionary factor (habitat adaptation) on the earthworm community assembly process. The phylogenetic distance of the earthworm communities among sites was positively correlated with geographic distance when intraspecific variation was included, indicating that the divergence within species was affected by biogeographic factors. The community assembly process in the Megascolecidae has also been affected by environmental conditions in relation to an evolutionary relationship between habitat environment and intestinal caecum type, a trait closely related to habitat depth and diet, whereas that in the Lumbricidae has not been affected as such. Intestinal caecum type showed a pattern of niche conservatism in the Megascolecidae lineage. Our results suggest that investigating the evolution of a key trait related to life history can lead to the clear description of community assembly process over a long time scale and that the community assembly process can differ greatly among related lineages even though they live sympatrically

Pheretima (Parapheretima) saba Sims & Easton 1972

Pheretima (Parapheretima) saba Sims & Easton, 1972 (Fig. 6) Pheretima (Parapheretima) saba Sims & Easton, 1972: 265 from region of Mesilau Cave at 2,100–2,400m and ridge between Mesilau Rivers at 2,750m. Syntypes in Natural History Museum, London: BMNH 1971: 19: 88–89, 90 / 93 (not re-inspected here). Diagnosis: Parapheretima occurring on Mt Kinabalu with paired spermathecae in 5 / 6 / 7. Genital markings absent. Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple in 27. Distribution: Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. [Type locality near Mesilau Cave]. Material examined: mature specimen, dissected and sketched by RJB – NSMT-An 370, fixed in formalin at collection and stored in 80 % ethanol with a spermatheca removed to a separate vial in jar; from vicinity of Paka Cave, Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia collected by Tatsuya Kawaguchi, 13.vii. 2005 (original sample labeled “ 050713 PAKA 5 -B” also contained specimens of Metaphire paka as described above). Lengths: 60–119 mm; current specimen 60 mm, Sims & Easton (1972) had size range 87–119 mm. Width: ca. 2–4 mm. Segments: 107–135; current specimen 107, Sims & Easton (1972) had range 112–135. Colour in formalin: faint brown anteriorly; clitellum yellow/buff. Prostomium: open epilobous. First dorsal pore: 11 / 12–13 / 14 (12 / 13 in current specimen). Setae: 28–40 per segment; Sims & Easton (1972) had range 34–40; current specimen has 28–30 [actual data ca. 31 on 7, 28 on 20, 22–26 posteriorly; no setae between male pores (pers. obs. not previously noted by Sims & Easton)]. Nephropores: diffuse, not found. Clitellum: annular 14–16, setae obscured. Male pores: on 18 ca. 0.3 circumference apart on large eversible copulatory structures protruding from male pores described by Sims & Easton “ as large crenellate copulatory pouches 0.3 of the body circumference apart ” with no setae intervening (current specimen); actual male pores seem to be just anterio-median to large sucker-like pads (pers. obs. and see sketch). Female pores: single, midventral on 14. Spermathecal pores: paired in 5 / 6 / 7 approximately 0.3 circumference apart. Genital markings: absent. Septa: 4 / 5-7 / 8 slightly thickened, “ 8 / 9,? 9 / 10 absent ” according to Sims & Easton and both absent in current specimen; 10 / 11 and subsequent thin. Dorsal blood vessel: single (pers. obs). Hearts: 10–13 (cf. Sims & Easton who just state “ Last lateral heart in xiii [13]”. Gizzard: “ between 7 / 8 –? 9 / 10, 10 / 11 ” according to Sims & Easton, found to be large between 7 / 8–10 / 11 in current specimen. Calciferous glands: none. Intestine origin (caeca, typhlosole): in “ xv [15]” (Sims & Easton) or 18 where it thins and greatly dilates (pers. obs. on current specimens); caeca small, simple from 27 – 25,23; small spherical typhlosole present from about 27 (pers. obs. on current specimens – this not noted by Sims & Easton); gut contents not noted. Nephridia: meroic, “ present on spermathecal ducts ” according to Sims & Easton, but in current specimen found to be few in number and scarcely present on duct as they can almost be teased back to origins on body wall; nevertheless, when a spermatheca was removed they are seen attached to the duct where it too enters the body wall.. Testes/sperm funnels: holandric, testes in 10 and 11 in testis sacs, seminal vesicles paired in 11 and 12; with pseudovesicles in 10 and 13 (pers. obs. in current specimen not noted by Sims & Easton). Ovaries: paired, palmate in 13 with funnels posteriorly; ovisacs not found. Prostates: large racemose in 17–20; muscular ducts pass into large copulatory pouches that each contains a large penis and externally bears a long tubular (?secretory) diverticulum that is perhaps related to eversible pads on copulatory organs. Spermathecae: paired in 6 and 7 each with ovoid ampulla on shorter duct with small clavate diverticulum; two or three nephridia attach near the base of duct (pers. obs. as noted above). Remarks. Sims and Easton (1972: 266) compared their species with Ph. (Ph.) koellikeri (Michaelsen, 1928) from Japan for which it is not surely know whether nephridia are apparent on the spermathecal ducts, thus, according to Blakemore (2006 a), it ‘defaults’ to Metaphire rather than qualifying for Pheretima. Both taxa have what are called ‘secretory diverticula’ on their copulatory pouches and, at least in Ph. saba, this qualifies it for Parapheretima sub-genus. In Ph. (Pa.) saba these diverticula may relate to the large eversible copulatory organs that seem to have (?adhesive) pads whereas in M. koellikeri they exit near penial setae (Michaelsen, 1928). The attached sketch is the first time Ph. (Pa.) saba has been figured. Genus Polypheretima Michaelsen 1934 sensu Easton (1979) Polypheretima everetti (Beddard & Fedarb, 1895) Figs. 7–8 Perichaeta everetti Beddard & Fedarb, 1895: 69; Beddard, 1895: 428 (non Amynthas stelleri everetti: Michaelsen, 1899: 43: 1900: 306 where P. everetti was combined with P. kinabaluensis). Type locality stated by Beddard & Fedarb as “ Mount Kina Balu ”, but based on type labels Easton (1976: 43) redesignated it under what is now ICZN (1999: 76 A) as on the adjacent Balabac Island, Palawan southern Philippines. Syntypes in Natural History Museum, London: BMNH 1904: 10: 5: 38–40 inspected by Easton (1976: 51). [GMs paired on 19–21; spermathecal batteries of 12–17 in segments 6 and 7]. Perichaeta papillata Beddard & Fedarb, 1895: 70, 71; Beddard, 1895: 428 (redescription). From Merabah, Borneo. Syntypes British Museum: BMNH 1904: 10.5.1265 – 70 inspected by Easton (1976: 52). [GMs paired on 19–29; spermathecae 7 per segment in 6 and 7]. Perichaeta sarawacensis Beddard and Fedarb, 1895: 71; Beddard, 1895: 429. From Labuan, Sarawak. Holotype British Museum: BMNH 1904.10. 5.150 inspected by Sims & Easton (1972: 254). [GMs paired on 19–22; spermathecae 14 in segments 6 and 7]. ? Perichaeta barami Michaelsen, 1896: 203. From Baram River, Sarawak and/or (Minahassa) North Celebes – Michaelsen was unsure. Holotype Hamburg: v 3835 inspected by Sims & Easton (1972: 254) and they only give the former locality; same specimen listed by Easton (1976: 51) as from “ Minahassa ” and Easton (1976: 52) as “ Baram River ”. [Grey, setae 42–55 per segment, GMs on 19,20, spermathecae absent (as in Po. elongata)]. Amyntas stelleri seriatus Michaelsen, 1899: 44 (originally spelt seriata). From either Uangkahulu Valley or Buol, North Celebes. Paratype Hamburg: v 5197 inspected by Sims & Easton (1972: 254); and v. 5198 inspected by Easton (1976: 51). [Brownish with violet shimmer, setae 42–111, GMs 19–22,23, spermathecal groups of 3–6 in segments 6 and 7]. ? Amyntas stelleri klabatensis Michaelsen, 1899: 46. From Klabat, North Celebes, 1,800m. Paratype Hamburg: v. 5196 inspected by Sims & Easton (1972: 254) and claimed as “ Holotype ” by Easton (1976: 51). [Setae 72–120, no GMs, spermathecal groups of 8–11 in 6 and 7 (lack of GMs is a departure from Po. everetti diagnosis below and is therefore similar to Po. annamensis (Stephenson, 1931) that however is bithecal]. ? Amyntas stelleri bonensis Michaelsen, 1899: 45. From Bone Valley, North Celebes. Types lost. [Blue in life, setae ca. 130, GM paired in 19, spermathecal groups of 18–26 in 6 and 7 (as in Po. stelleri s. stricto)]. Amynthas stelleri everetti (part): Michaelsen, 1899: 43 (where P. everetti was combined with P. kinabaluensis). Pheretima stelleri everetti (part): Michaelsen, 1900: 306. Pheretima stelleri koroensis Michaelsen, 1910: 109. From Koro Valley, Celebes (Sulawesi). Holotype listed on Basel Museum type website: http://www.nmb.bs.ch/NaturmuseumBasel/LinksNMB/Sammlung/Kataloge/Guertelwuermer.xls]. Pheretima stelleri mahakkami Michaelsen, 1922: 25. From Mahakkam River, Sarawak. Holotype Leiden: 1897 inspected by Sims & Easton (1972: 254). Pheretima (Pheretima) beranensis Michaelsen, 1928: 23. From Birang River, Beran district, Kalimanton. Type (s) Hamburg: v. 10576 inspected by Easton (1976: 52). Pheretima (Pheretima) baritoensis Michaelsen, 1932: 9. From Boentok on the Barito River, Kalimanton. Types lost. Pheretima (Polypheretima) beranensis tinjarana Michaelsen, 1934: 25. From Tinjar River, Long Lejok, Sarawak. Syntypes British Museum: BMNH 1933.10.6.12– 20 and Hamburg: v. 11951 inspected by Sims & Easton (1972: 254) and Easton (1976: 52). Metapheretima everetti: Sims & Easton, 1972: 233; Easton, 1976: 41,fig. 5 [syns. papillata, sarawacensis, barami, stelleri seriatus (originally spelt seriata), stelleri klabatensis, stelleri bonensis, stelleri koroensis, stelleri mahakkami, beranensis, baritoensis, beranensis tinjarana]. Polypheretima everetti: Easton, 1979: 54; Blakemore, 2000, 2004: 137, 2006b. Taxonomic Note: two of Easton’s synonyms, at least, must be questioned as P. barami lacked spermathecae (as in Po. elongata) and P. stelleri bonensis had high numbers of spermathecal batteries of 18–26 (as in Po. stelleri); moreover, A. stelleri klabatensis lacked genital markings as described in the diagnosis below. Diagnosis: Polypheretima with male pores in copulatory pouches without stalked glands. Colour reddishpurple. Length up to 300 mm with up to 260 segments. Spermathecal batteries (each usually with 3–12 spermathecae) in 5 / 6 / 7. Setae numerous (up to 130 per segment in large specimens). Genital markings paired, presetal in line with male pores in some or all of 19 –21,22,23. Holandric. Intestinal caeca absent. (Cf. Po. elongata, Po. stelleri and Po. kinabaluensis). Distribution: Balabac Island south of Palawan, Philippines (new type locality rather than Mt Kinabalu designated by Easton, 1976: 43); north and west Celebes; Borneo including Mt Kinabalu (from 1,200– 2,400m); and Lombok, Indonesia (350–450m only). Easton (1976: 43) claims that this species is unknown outside its indigenous range, although this is quite extensive and some of the island records (eg. Balabac and Lombok) may be due to transportation. It occurs on lowlands of Sabah, Borneo (current specimens) yet is sympatric with Po. kinabaluensis at higher altitude on Mt. Kinabalu (Easton, 1976). Current specimens examined were from lowlands East of Mt Kinabalu, collected by T. Kawaguchi 01.iii. 2006 (labeled: “ 060301 T- 3 ” and “ I- 2 S”), along with other samples (labeled: “ 060307 R 4 - 2 ”, “ 060308 R 1 L”, “ 060307 R 4 - 2 ”, and “ 060308 ET”), of Pontoscolex corethrurus plus other immature pheretimoids, and samples of immature specimens (labeled: “ 060305 T 3 - 3 ”, “ 060302 R- 1-15 ” and “ 060302 R- 1-2 - 3 ”) that look like striped and more regularly coloured forms of Pheretima (Ph.) darnleiensis (as noted in its description above). Remarks. Although it is similar to Po. elongata, and sympatric with this and other members of the Po. elongata species-complex, e.g. Easton (1976: fig. 6) shows it to occur throughout Borneo and with Po. elongata on Lombok; with Po. phacellotheca and Po. stelleri in northern Celebes; and with Po. kinabaluensis on Mt Kinabalu, yet Easton (1976: 42) states that there is no indication of hybridization among the species. Easton (1976: 52) further separated off one Lombok specimen (Berlin: 7214) from the type series of Po. badia (Ude, 1932) as Po. everetti.Published as part of Blakemore, Robert J., Csuzdi, Csaba, Ito, Masamichi T. & Kaneko, Nobuhiro, 2007, Taxonomic status and ecology of Oriental Pheretima darnleiensis (Fletcher, 1886) and other earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Mt Kinabalu, Borneo, pp. 23-44 in Zootaxa 1613 on pages 34-39, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17901

Metaphire paka Blakemore, sp. nov.

Metaphire paka Blakemore sp. nov. (Fig. 1) Diagnosis: Metaphire with a single pair of spermathecae in 8 / 9 ca. 0.25 circumference apart ventrally. Male pores on small penes on 18 ca. 0.25 circumference apart protuberant from small copulatory pouches. Genital markings as paired clusters of 1–9 disc-like papillae anteriorly on 9, 18–19 and sometimes 20 (sessile glands correspond internally). Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple in or near 27. Distribution: Paka Cave, Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; 2,970 m, 06°05' N, 116 ° 33 ' E. Material examined: Holotype (H) – NSMT-An 366, weakly clitellate, mature specimen, dissected and figured by RJB, stored in 80 % ethanol (EtOH) after fixation in dilute formalin at time of collection, from vicinity of Paka Cave collected by Tatsuya Kawaguchi, 13.vii. 2005 (sample labelled: “ 050713 PAKA 5 -B”). Paratypes – NSMT-An 367 - 9, three specimens, one clitellate (P 1, dissected), two aclitellate sub-adults (P 2-3), all fixed in formalin and stored in 80 % ethanol with same collection data as Holotype. An additional specimen “ 060307 R 4 - 2 ” collected 07.iii. 2006 by T. Kawaguchi along with several other samples from lowlands to east of Mt Kinabalu appears superfically similar to M. paka. Etymology: named after locality of its Paka cave collection site and type locality. Lengths: range 42–62 mm long, (H) 57, (P 1) 62, (P 2) 44, (P 3) 42 mm. Width: ca. 2 mm. Segments: count range 74–120; (H) 104 with first segment poorly differentiated, (P 1) 120, (P 2) 74 – possibly a posterior regenerate, (P 3) 76. Colour: faint brown pigment dorsally with darker mid-dorsal line after segment 11 or 12; clitellum pale (H, P 1). Prostomium: open epilobous. First dorsal pore: 11 / 12. Setae: range 32–46 per segment; no ventral and dorsal gaps nor crowding; 6 setae intervene between male pores (H, P 1); [actual counts: (H) 44–46 on 7, ca. 32 on 20, ca. 40 posteriorly; (P 1) 44 on 7, 32 on 20, ca. 40 posteriorly]. Nephropores: diffuse, not detectable. Clitellum: annular 14–16, weak and setae retained (H) or more pronounced (P 1). Male pores: on 18 ca. 0.25 circumference (1 mm) apart on small penes within small copulatory pouches [(H) 18 rhs protruding] with 6 setae intervening (H, P 1). Female pores: single, midventral on 14. Spermathecal pores: paired in 8 / 9 approximately 0.25 circumference apart; (P 1) has apparent additional pore on 7 / 8 rhs only. Genital markings: paired clusters of one to nine small papillae below spermathecal pores in 9 and on either side of male pores anteriorly on 18 and 19 and sometimes a single papilla on either or both sides of 20; [actual counts: (H) 9 lhs 5–6, 9 rhs 7, 18 lhs 5, 18 rhs 5 –6. 19 lhs 5, 19 rhs 5; (P 1) 9 lhs 3, 9 rhs 1, 18 lhs 6, 18 rhs 7, 19 lhs 4, 19 rhs 3; (P 2) 9 lhs 2, 9 rhs 4, 18 lhs 4, 18 rhs 4, 19 lhs 5, 19 rhs 5, 20 lhs 1, 20 rhs 1; (P 3) 9 lhs 6, 9 rhs 4, 18 lhs 8, 18 rhs 8, 19 lhs 4, 19 rhs 5, 20 lhs 1, 20 rhs 0]. Sessile glands correspond internally. Septa: 8 / 9 thin, 9 / 10 absent; 10 / 11 and subsequent also thin. Dorsal blood vessel: single. Hearts: 10,11–13. Gizzard: large between 8 / 9 and 10 / 11 but mostly in 9. Calciferous glands: none. Intestine origin (caeca, typhlosole): in 15; caeca simple with slight indentation from 26,27 – 23; simple lamellar typhlosole present, commencing from about 23. The gut contains yellow soil, woody organic debris and quartz grits. Metaphire paka sp. nov. Holotype showing a, ventral view; b, dorsal view of prostomium; c, a spermatheca (also enlarged) with internal glands; and d, prostate in situ also with internal glands; e, lateral view of 18 rhs penis; f, lateral view of an intestinal caecum also showing lamellar typhlosole; and g, dorsal view of the posterior segments. The weakly developed clitellum is shaded and scale bars are 1mm. Nephridia: meroic, absent from spermathecal ducts. Testes/sperm funnels: holandric, testes in 10 and 11 in testis sacs, seminal vesicles paired anteriorly in 11 and 12. Ovaries: paired in 13 with funnels posteriorly; ovisacs not found. Prostates: large racemose in 17–19,20; muscular ducts pass into small copulatory pouches concealed within base of each duct containing a small conical penis. Spermathecae: paired in 9, saccular ampulla on shortish duct with small clavate diverticulum (iridescent); (P 1) has an abnormal, adiverticular, spermatheca-like sac on 8 lhs (as seen from dorsal dissection) corresponding to extra pore in 7 / 8 rhs (as seen from ventrum). Remarks. The rudimentary, ancillary spermatheca in segment 8 of paratype (P 1) is considered an aberration. Nine previously known pheretimoid species have spermathecae only in 9 (Blakemore, unpublished), viz. Amynthas antefixus (Gates, 1935) from Szechuan, Metaphire cai (Michaelsen, 1916) from Java, Amynthas dinghumontis Zhang et al., 2006 and Amynthas liaoi Zhang et al., 2006 from China, Metaphire michaelseni (Ude, 1925) from Sarawak Borneo, Amynthas pataniensis labuhensis (Michaelsen, 1896: 224) from Moluccas, Pheretima (Pheretima) racemosa (Rosa, 1891: 399) from Java, Indonesia and Kalimantan Borneo, Amynthas supuensis (Michaelsen, 1896: 225) from Moluccas, and Pheretima arayatensis James et al. in James, Hong & Kim, 2004 from Luzon, Philippines (and, co-incidentally, several of these species are also montane). Of these, M. michaelseni that is also sympatric on Borneo but has a single, dorsal spermatheca with paired diverticula, and Ph. racemosa that has nephridia on its spermathecal ducts (thereby qualifying for Pheretima) and multiloculate diverticula, perhaps come closest to the present species. Of the Amynthas spp., apart from having superficial male pores, each has a different arrangement of genital markings (when present). Metaphire cai is especially similar with spermathecal pores in 8 / 9 (0.2 circumference apart) and penes within small copulatory pouches – thereby just qualifying for inclusion in the genus, as with M. paka – but it differs in its lack of genital markings and in other minor respects. Metaphire cai (Michaelsen, 1916) was originally a sub-species of Perichaeta inflata Horst, 1893 that is now a junior synonym of Metaphire javanica (Kinberg, 1867), hence its present elevation to species level. M. cai was from Mt Pangerango, Java (in jungle at 1,000 m) and named after the collector, identified only as “ C.A. April 1899 ” (from whence the species name derives); its types are listed in Museums of Stockholm (NHRWS 153) and Hamburg (ZNUH 8503). From this and other Metaphire species, Metaphire paka appears distinct in its paired spermathecae in 9 combined with its arrangement of genital markings. Because the primary male pores are on small penes, they are classed as ‘non-superficial’ [i.e. not “ discharging directly onto the surface of xviii [18]” (Sims & Easton, 1972: 211) as required for inclusion in Amynthas] and therefore this species is attributed to Metaphire. However, retraction of the penes (presumably the normal case in life) may result in the male pores being mistaken as ‘superficial’, thus dissection (or suction by syringe) are required for confirmation of this, as for other, marginal species.Published as part of Blakemore, Robert J., Csuzdi, Csaba, Ito, Masamichi T. & Kaneko, Nobuhiro, 2007, Taxonomic status and ecology of Oriental Pheretima darnleiensis (Fletcher, 1886) and other earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Mt Kinabalu, Borneo, pp. 23-44 in Zootaxa 1613 on pages 25-27, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17901

Biodiversity of Earthworms in Taiwan: a Species Checklist with the Confirmation and New Records of the Exotic Lumbricids Eisenia fetida and Eiseniella tetraedra

Terrestrial megadrile earthworms variously reported from Taiwan including Lanyu Island (Botel Tobago) number approximately 70 species with 29 of these, or 40%, non-natives for which 69% are Asiatic Megascolecidae and 21% are Lumbricidae of Holarctic origin. An additional 27 unnamed species have been identified from Ilan county north-eastern Taiwan by Chen et al. (2003) that, if published, would bring the total to around 100 known species. The checklist is also provided with the confirmation and new records of the exotic lumbricids Eisenia fetida (Savigny) and Eiseniella tetraedra (Savigny)