Abstract
A new Italian earthworm morphologically close to the similarly large and anecic Eophila tellinii (Rosa, 1888) is described. Distribution of Eophila crodabepis sp. nov. extends over 750 km2 from East to West on the Asiago Plateau and Vittorio Veneto Hills, from North to South on mounts Belluno Prealps (Praderadego and Cesen), Asiago, Grappa and onto the Montello foothills. This range abuts that of Eophila tellinii in northern Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Known localities of both E. tellinii and E.crodabepis sp. nov. are mapped. mtDNA barcoding definitively separates the new western species from classical Eophila tellinii (Rosa, 1888).
Highlights
Study of megadrile earthworms is justified due to their key ecological role as drivers of soil formation in association with microorganisms [1,2,3,4].In 1888 Daniele Rosa described Allolobophora tellinii ( Eophila tellinii) the largest Italian earthworm, characterized by a livery of puce and purple bands in the middle of each segment
E. tellinii is often located at the base or under large rocks or in the roots of trees with a marked preference for hazel (Corylus avellana, L.) and decidous forest [12]
The fact that Octodrilus complanatus and O. pseudocomplanatus specimens were collected together with Eophila tellinii (S1 Table) is interesting as they are both classed as deep-burrowing species
Summary
In 1888 Daniele Rosa described Allolobophora tellinii ( Eophila tellinii) the largest Italian earthworm (up to 800 mm according to Paoletti [5,6]), characterized by a livery of puce and purple bands in the middle of each segment. It was included in the “Classical” taxonomic systems of Michaelsen [7] and Stephenson [8] (under genus Helodrilus Hoffmeister, 1845). E. tellinii is often located at the base or under large rocks or in the roots of trees with a marked preference for hazel (Corylus avellana, L.) and decidous forest [12]. Such microhabitats ensure a greater protection from predators and sudden changes of temperature and humidity [3]
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