Description of a new earthworm species, Nsukkadrilus funmie (Eudrilidae: Oligochaeta: Annelida) from Nigeria

Abstract

A new eudrilid earthworm species, Nsukkadrilus funmie sp.n. is described from Ogoja (eastern Nigeria). The species belongs to the Eudrilus-Hippopera-Nsukkadrilus group of genera. It is differentiated from Eudrilus by possessing penial setae and intestinal gizzards and from Hippopera by possessing intestinal gizzards. Although classHied as Nsukkadrilus because it conforms to Sims' (1987) diagnosis of that genus, the new species bears three features which separate it from the only congener and type species, N. mbae. Firstly, it bears externally a pair of papillae in each of segments XVII and XVIII; the male pores open through the anterior papillae; and the penial setae penetrate separately through the posterior papillae. Secondly, paired longitudinal membranous pouches on the ventral parieta in the juvenile fuse into a Single median pouch associated with the ovospermathecae in the adult. Thirdly, in the new species the form of the ovospermathecae is different from those of N. mbae. In spite of these morphological differences the new species is located within Nsukkadrilus until more evidence indicates otherwise.

S. Afr. J. Zool. 1997,32(1)