Abstract
Four new species of terrestrial earthworms from the zebrus-group in the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867, are described from Nan province, north Thailand: Amynthas phatubensis sp. n., from Tham Pha Tub Arboretum, Amynthas tontong sp. n., from Tontong Waterfall, Amynthas borealis sp. n., from Chaloemprakiat district, and Amynthas srinan sp. n., from Srinan National Park.After comparing with the two closely related Laos species Amynthas chandyi Hong, 2008 and Amynthas namphouinensis Hong, 2008, the four new species show clear morphological differences, and also it is confirmed that there are no previous records of the species described here. Amynthas phatubensis sp. n. is the largest (longest) sized of these earthworms and is the only species that lives in limestone habitats. The genital characters are different among them and also from the two Laotian species. Molecular systematics would be a good method for further analysis of the diversity and species boundaries in SE Asian Amynthas.
Highlights
Previous taxonomic publications on, or including, the Megascolecidae of Thailand are comprised of those of Gates (1972), Sims and Easton (1972) and Blakemore (2006b, 2008, 2011) and Blakemore et al (2007)
The genus Amynthas is widely distributed in the Asian continent, where it is one of the dominant genera
In Thailand it occurs in various types of lowland forest habitats, dry evergreen, moist evergreen, deciduous and limestone forests, encompassing diverse soil pH values, from acidic to alkali soils (Chantaravisoot, 2007) and from clay to muddy sand substrates (Kosavititkul, 2005; Somniyam, 2008; Blakemore et al, 2007)
Summary
Including, the Megascolecidae (sensu Blakemore 2000) of Thailand are comprised of those of Gates (1972), Sims and Easton (1972) and Blakemore (2006b, 2008, 2011) and Blakemore et al (2007). In the present paper we describe an additional four new species belonging to the zebrus-group, a provisional assemblage designated by Sims and Easton (1972). Each of these new species is known only from its type locality, but as more intensive collecting is undertaken in Thailand and other Asian countries, the known range and habitats of these species may be extended.
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