197,548 research outputs found
Oral history interview with Bill Blakemore
No full textBill Blakemore was born in 1923 in Adair County, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school in Stilwell, Oklahoma in 1941 he served two and a half years in the Air Force. When he returned to Oklahoma and used the G.I. Bill to enroll in Oklahoma A&M College. He graduated in 1949 and accepted a position with Cooperative Extension. During his time with Extension, Blakemore was involved with the Oklahoma Association of County Agricultural Agents including serving as president in 1966
Metaphire ryunome Blakemore 2012
No full text7. <i>Metaphire ryunome</i> Blakemore, 2012 <p> <b>Material.</b> IV 0000261294 (DNA HY2) from Jungang Park, Busan by RJB 26 th April, 2013.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Japan (Lake Biwa, Shiga-ken), Busan, Korea and “ China ” where it seems misidentified as “ <i>Amynthas incongruous</i> ”. Thus possibly widespread of unknown origin.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Provided by Blakemore (2012: 145, fig. 10; 2013: 311, fig. 4B).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> Blast results gave 99% “ <i>Amynthas incongruous</i> ” (Genbank EF077551 <i>-</i> a misidentification from China). Comparing HY2 vs. <i>M. ryunome</i> Holotype from Hikone, Japan (Tokyo An-457, JET108) results: Id.= 653/653 (100%), i.e., same taxon. Its wide distribution allows concession to yield to an as yet unknown species originating from Asia. Note: These latter data were not shown in Blakemore (2013b: 129, fig. 1 phylotree).</p>Published as part of <i>Blakemore, Robert J., Lee, Seunghan & Seo, Hong-Yul, 2015, Account of montane and insular speciation in some Korean megadriles (Annelida: Oligochaeta), pp. 1-22 in Journal of Species Research 4 (1)</i> on page 7, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2015.4.1.001, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8135064">http://zenodo.org/record/8135064</a>
Eisenia muuido Blakemore & Lee & Seo 2015, sp. nov.
No full text17. Eisenia muuido Blakemore sp. nov. (Fig. 10). Material. IV0000261296 (DNA HY30) H, holotype, a mature specimen from Muuido (same details as IV 000 261298) collected 15 th Sept. 2013 by RJB; IV0000261 297 P, paratype, a subadult lacking tail; plus an immature specimen (S). Etymology. After island locality (noun in apposition). Description. Pale body, pinkish in life with distinct yellow anterior and posterior tips (coelomocyctes as in E. japonica) found in all life stages (H, P, S). Length 100 mm (H) or 55+ mm (P) with 120 segments. Open epilobous. First dorsal pore 4/5. Clitellum weak saddle in ca. 27-32,33. TP elongate bands lateral of b setae on 28-32. Setae ab on 28-32 tumid. Spermathecal pores minute in 9/10/11 dorsally as rounded sacs (one heart-shaped). Female pores in 14 just lateal of b setae. Male pores on barely marked porophores also just lateral of b setae. Nephropores not found. Holandric: testis in seminal vesicles in 9-10 medium sized and larger in 11-12. Hearts in 7-11. Calciferous glands annular in 11 & 12. Ovaries in 12 as flattened tongues with many eggs. Intestine from 1 / 215. Crop in 16. Gizzard in 17-18. Typhlosole not noted. Nephridial bladders sausage-shaped. Much mucous produced when handled. Remarks. From Michaelsen (1900), the closest agreement is with Eisenia tigrina (Rosa, 1896) from Europe, however it has first dorsal pore in 3/4 and much larger male pores (14/15-15/16). Of the twenty Korean lumbricids listed in Blakemore (2014), the geographically closest are Eisenia japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) and its sub-species (as described by Blakemore & Grygier, 2011; Blakemore, 2012c; 2013) that have clitella around 24-31 and TP restricted to 27 & 29 or E. koreana (Zicsi, 1972), E. gaga Blakemore, 2012, and E. sindo Blakemore, 2012 all three of which differ, however, by having clitella near 25-32 and TP around 27-29. Several of these taxa are genetically tested in Appendix and show matches no closer than 79-84% thus helping to define the uniqueness of the current worm. Blakemore, R.J. 2000. Tasmanian Earthworms. CD-ROM Monograph with Review of World Families. VermEcology, PO BOX 414 Kippax 2615. Canberra, December, 2000. pp. 800 including 222 figures. Blakemore, R.J. 2002. Cosmopolitan earthworms - an ecotaxonomic guide to the peregrine species of the World. VermEcology, Kippax, Australia. pp. 506 [CD publication]. Blakemore, R.J. 2003. Japanese earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta): a review and checklist of species. Organisms, Diversity and Evolution 3 (3): 241-244 [Available from: http://www.urbanfischer.de/journals/ode/; www.sencken berg.de/odes/03-11.htm]. Blakemore, R.J. 2006. A series of searchable texts on earthworm biodiversity, ecology and systematics from various regions of the world - Supplemental. Second CD-Rom publication under rules of ICZN (1999). Eds. N. Kaneko & M. T. Ito. COE Soil Ecology Research Group. Yokohama National University, Japan. - 3rd Edition (2008): http://www.annelida.net/earthworm/ (accessed 13/03/ 2013). DNA barcode Blast results show match no closer than 85-86% for Eisenia nordenskioldi aff. nordenskioldi (Eisen, 1879) (Genbank JX531498.1 from a Russian study) and its sub-species as redescribed by Blakemore (2013c: tab. 1) that have clitella in the region of 26,27- 32,33 and TP 29-31, thus closest to the current taxon. In Korean Allolobophora species reviewed by Blakemore (2013c: tab. 2), viz. Allolobophora hataii, A. harbinensis and A. dairenensis all by Kobayashi (1940), their clitella are in region of 23,24,25-32,33 and TP in 29-31 only, thus they too differ morphologically.Published as part of Blakemore, Robert J., Lee, Seunghan & Seo, Hong-Yul, 2015, Account of montane and insular speciation in some Korean megadriles (Annelida: Oligochaeta), pp. 1-22 in Journal of Species Research 4 (1) on pages 14-15, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2015.4.1.001, http://zenodo.org/record/813506
Amynthas tokioensis subsp. oculo Blakemore
No full text9. <i>Amynthas tokioensis oculo</i> Blakemore sub-sp. nov. <p>(Fig. 4B).</p> <p> <b>Material.</b> IV 0000261311 (DNA sample HY8) mature from Jeombongsan Mt. (38̊01′16.39′′N 128̊25′6.36′′ E), boundaries of Inje and Yangyang in eastern South Korea, collected by Dr H.-Y. Seo, 25 th July, 2013. Found with four other specimens, two other <i>Amynthas</i> sp. described below and a <i>Drawida jeombongsan</i> Blakemore, 2014, plus IV 0000261310 an <i>M. hilgendorfi</i> specimen. IV 0000261308 (P) is a superficially similar mature with same details collected 11 th July, 2013 along with <i>Drawida</i> sp. (IV0000261309).</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> Latin <i>oculo</i> (m noun) for “black eye” referring to the look of the spermathecal pores.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Widespread in Japan and Korea, <i>A. tokioensis</i> is an introduction to USA (also as synonym <i>M. levis</i>) but, in view of many misidentifications “ <i>Amynthas tokioensis</i> species-group from central Thailand ” is considered doubtful.</p> <p> <b>Description</b> (current specimens). Length 60 (P) to 85 mm with 90 segments (H). Reddish-brown dorsum. Peri-1 mm chaetine with 40-50 setae. Clitellum 14-16. Spermathecae eye-like in 6/7/ 8 in lateral dark patches also enclosing a single GM papilla below each pore. Female pore single, central on clitellum. Male pores absent. Spermathecal ampullae deflated with clavate diverticulum on muscular duct. GM glands correspond internally to the spermathecal papillae. Seminal vesicles in 11 and 12. Last hearts in 13. Caeca manicate in 27.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> These clearly parthenogenetic specimens resemble part of the <i>Amynthas tokioensis</i> (Beddard, 1892) species-complex as described by Blakemore (2003; 2010; 2012f). In the latest revision by Blakemore (2014) <i>Amynthas tokioensis</i> (Beddard, 1892) has the following synonyms:? <i>schizopora</i>,? <i>irregularis</i>, levis,? <i>parvicystis</i>;? <i>verticosa</i> all by Goto & Hatai, 1898 / 1899;? <i>gucheonensis</i> Song & Paik, 1970; <i>jiriensis</i> Song & Paik, 1971; <i>surcata</i> and <i>verticosa</i> Ishizuka, 1999;? <i>paiki</i> Hong in Hong, Lee & Kim, 2001;? <i>yongshilensis</i>,? <i>eastoni</i> and? <i>boletiformis</i> by Hong & James, 2001; <i>A. sonjaesiki</i> Hong & James, 2009 (these last nine synonyms as per Blakemore, 2003 b: 43; 2006; 2008; 2010; 2012f; 2012g); plus <i>Amynthas conferticurtus</i> Hong & James, 2009: 1241 <i>species inquirendum</i> and possible syn. nov.?</p> <p> <i>Amynthas conferticurtus</i> types (IV0000120468 H & 479 P) are not traceable in NIBR (pers. obs.) but it appears to be misdescribed in several key characters: e.g., the spermathecal pores are said to be on 7 and 8 (thus allegedly qualifying for an <i>A. pomellus</i> species group) however, they are shown in their fig. 7 to be in 6/7/8! Moreover the supposed genital markings on 7 and 8 are not shown in their fig. 7 (?). Its description appears indistinguishable from their subsequent <i>A. sonjaesiki</i> Hong & James, 2009 that was placed in synonymy of <i>A. tokioensis</i> by Blakemore (2010). Seemingly the <i>A. conferticurtus</i> name also belongs there. According to the description, it also appears to be similar to <i>A. paiki</i> Hong, 2001 or to <i>A. fasciiformis</i> Hong & James, 2001 and both are probably in an <i>A. tokioensis</i> species-group, if not also synonyms. The types of the other synonym, <i>A. sonjaesiki</i> Hong & James, 2009: 1243 (types IV0000120469 H & 480 P) are also not traceable in NIBR (pers. obs.) but its markings resemble those claimed for <i>A. conferticurtus</i>. These authors need to fix these issues before they erect any further “new” names.</p> <p> Regarding the current specimens, it is surprising that the nearest BLAST similarity is only 88% for <i>Metaphire vesiculata</i> (AB542689 from Tokyo, Okutama) or 88% for the <i>M. soulensis</i> matches noted above. Fig. 1 shows separation from taxa under consideration here. It may seem precipitous to put a new name to these specimens despite the lack of a genetic match, however it will hopefully provide an unambiguous starting point for conscientious resolution of all the earliest taxa noted above progressively by any concerned workers.</p> <p> Repeated searches by the senior author of the Tokyo environs for new topotypic material of <i>Amynthas tokioensis</i> have thus far been unsuccessful, although a record from nearby Hachioji is claimed in Genbank (accession AB542558 by Minamiya <i>et al</i>., 2010, unpublished). If their identification is correct, this may provide the closest match to a topotype’s DNA. However, the current specimen HY8 vs. AB542558 of Hachioji=523/614 (85%) which is far removed and questions the close identity of either or both with “ <i>Amynthas tokioensis</i> ” proper (see Fig. 1).</p>Published as part of <i>Blakemore, Robert J., Lee, Seunghan & Seo, Hong-Yul, 2015, Account of montane and insular speciation in some Korean megadriles (Annelida: Oligochaeta), pp. 1-22 in Journal of Species Research 4 (1)</i> on pages 7-9, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2015.4.1.001, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8135064">http://zenodo.org/record/8135064</a>
Amynthas bangtaesan subsp. confinius Blakemore 2015
No full text12. Amynthas bangtaesan confinius Blakemore sp. nov. (Fig. 6B). Material. IV 0000261312 (DNA sample HY9) mature, sketched and dissected from Jeombongsan Mt, (37̊01′ 16.39′′N 128̊25′6.36′′E), collected by Dr H.-Y. Seo, 25 th July, 2013; IV 0000261313, superficially similar mature, same details. Etymology. Latin ‘ confinius ’ (adj. m) implying “adjoining, contiguous or allied” for its location from neighboring Jeombongsan and similarity to nominal species. Description. Length 62-80 mm with 89 segments tapering to tail. Reddish-brown dorsum. Epilobous. First dorsal pore 12/13. Perichaetine with 50-60 setae. Clitellum 14-16. Spermathecae in 6/7/ 8 in lateral dark patches with transverse row of six or seven GM papilla below and median to each pore. Female pore single, central on clitellum. Male pores in dark round patches that taper medially and are ringed with papillae; above each porophore is another patch of GMs each with about a dozen papillae in two rows. Spermathecal ampullae deflated with clavate diverticulum on muscular duct. Prostates racemose on U-shaped muscular duct. GM glands correspond internally to the GM papillae. Seminal vesicles large in 11 and 12. Caeca manicate in 27. Gut contains organic matter. Remarks. The nearest match for HY9 on Genbank is only 88% for Metaphire communissima (AB542620.1 from Japan). Morphologically distinct from the previous sub-species with regards to its dorsal pore commencement, the distribution of the GMs and possibly on the form of the prostate duct (U-shaped vs. straight), the molecular difference of HY4 vs. HY9 is slight 610/613 (~99%) suggesting only sub-specific or ecotypic status. There may be other differences in behavior or morphology that would require further field-collection and study.Published as part of Blakemore, Robert J., Lee, Seunghan & Seo, Hong-Yul, 2015, Account of montane and insular speciation in some Korean megadriles (Annelida: Oligochaeta), pp. 1-22 in Journal of Species Research 4 (1) on page 10, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2015.4.1.001, http://zenodo.org/record/813506
Seeing a Work of Art Indirectly: When a Reproduction Is Better Than an Indirect View, and a Mirror Better Than a Live Monitor
No full textVisiting a museum and seeing an original artwork can be a special experience. We use a survey and a set of hypothetical questions to explore how such experience would be affected by changes in how the artwork is seen. In a first study, participants imagined that they had traveled to see a painting that they particularly like. They discover that it is impossible to directly see the original painting. Three alternatives are offered: seeing an optical reflection (using a mirror), seeing a video screening (a closed-circuit camera), or seeing a reproduction. In all cases, it is made clear that the size, brightness, and resolution will match that of the original. In addition, these options could be within the same room as the original, in the room next door, or in a different building. Results show that physical distance did not affect significantly the responses. However, there was an overall preference for seeing a reproduction as opposed to an optical or digital image. Contrary to the idea that the original is always superior to a copy, many people felt that a direct view of a copy is a preferable experience than an indirect view. The second study was focused directly on the comparison between a mirror and a monitor. Here we highlighted the fact that for the mirror light coming from the mirror originated from the painting. Data were collected in Britain and in China. In both cases, there was a clear preference for the mirror over the monitor
Amynthas centurio Blakemore & Lee & Seo 2015, sp. nov.
No full text16. Amynthas centurio Blakemore sp. nov. (Fig. 9). Material. IV0000261303 (Holotype DNA sample HY6 - nil results) mature, sketched and dissected from Bangtaesan Mt, (37̊55′25.30′′N 128̊25′48.42′′E), collected by Dr H.-Y. Seo, 11 th July, 2013. Sample also contained seven specimens (IV000261304) of three mature M. hilgendorfi and three blue Drawida sp. matures plus an immature. A second container had many specimens but was overcrowded so preservation was poor, all allocated IV 000261305. Etymology. Latin centurio (m noun) for “one hundred” loosely referring to the markings. Description. Length 65 mm with 92 segments. Reddish dorsum and pale ventrum, body somewhat transparent. Open epilobous. First dorsal pore 12/13. Perichaetine with ca. 40 setae. Clitellum 14-16 slightly darker. Spermathecae in 6/7/8 laterally ca. 0.5 circumference apart with ca. 18 GM papilla in a row just below intersegmental furrow between each pore. Female pore central on 14. Male pores in setal line on small circular porophore on 18 with a semi-circle of papillae median to each pore and four rows of numerous GM papillae numbering more than sixty. Spermathecal ampullae saccular and slight on short duct with small clavate diverticulum; glands match GMs. Prostates racemose on S-bent muscular duct with glands internally to the GMs. Seminal vesicles large in 11 & 12. Caeca manicate in 27. Remarks. The most distinctive characteristic of the current species from cohorts is the arrangement of GMs numbering about one hundred small papillae in 7/8, 8/9 and especially between the male pores on 18. The shape of the spermathecae and manicate caeca are also indicative. DNA sequencing was unforthcoming but morphology alone defines this species.Published as part of Blakemore, Robert J., Lee, Seunghan & Seo, Hong-Yul, 2015, Account of montane and insular speciation in some Korean megadriles (Annelida: Oligochaeta), pp. 1-22 in Journal of Species Research 4 (1) on pages 13-14, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2015.4.1.001, http://zenodo.org/record/813506
Amynthas seoraksan subsp. iti Blakemore
No full text14. Amynthas seoraksan iti Blakemore sub-sp. nov. (Fig. 7B). Material. IV0000261316 (Holotype DNA sample HY11) mature, sketched and dissected from Jeombongsan Mt, (37̊01′16.39′′N 128̊25′6.36′′E), collected by Dr H.-Y. Seo, 25 th July, 2013; IV0000261317 (Paratype), superficially similar mature, same details; plus sample contained a mature M. hilgendorfi specimen IV0000261315 with everted male pores (confirming its correct allocation to genus Metaphire). Other sample batch with same details contains three specimens (IV0000216318-20) that agree superficially except they may have three instead of two papillae in 7 and 8, the longest is 120 mm; two other samples are IV0000216321 and sympatric specimen described successively below. Etymology. Derived from Morse code for its spermathecal markings: “.. -..”=ITI. Description. Length 111 mm (both H & P). Reddish iridescent dorsum body tapers to tail. Epilobous. First dorsal pore 12/13. Perichaetine with 50-60 setae. Clitellum 14-16. Spermathecae in 6/7/8 just above intersegment in lateral dark patches with transverse row of two sets of two GM papilla below and median to each pore (sets of two and three in some specimens). Female pore single, central on clitellum. Male pores just behind setal line in dark elongate patches two rows of about six papillae above and medial to each porophore. Spermathecal ampullae deflated with clavate diverticulum on muscular duct and GM glands nearby. Prostates racemose on muscular duct. GM glands correspond internally to the male GM papillae. Seminal vesicles large in 11 and 12. Caeca manicate in 27. Remarks. The nearest Blast result for HY11 is also just 87% for Metaphire communissima (Genbank AB542623.1 from Hyogo-ken, Japan), and HY11 vs. HY9=568/653 (87%). Distinctive characters of A. iti are the markings that also resemble nesting birds (see figure) and the slightly off-line position of the spermathecal and male pores. DNA data helps confirm this identity amongst taxa tested.Published as part of Blakemore, Robert J., Lee, Seunghan & Seo, Hong-Yul, 2015, Account of montane and insular speciation in some Korean megadriles (Annelida: Oligochaeta), pp. 1-22 in Journal of Species Research 4 (1) on pages 12-13, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2015.4.1.001, http://zenodo.org/record/813506
Metaphire muuido Blakemore & Lee & Seo 2015, sp. nov.
No full text<p> <b> 10. <i>Metaphire muuido</i> Blakemore sp. nov.</b> (Fig. 5).</p> <p> <b>Material.</b> IV 0000261298 (DNA sample HY31) from Incheon, Muuido Island (ca. 37̊23′31′′N 26̊24′56′′E), Hanagae beach, from treeline above northern shore, collected by RJB, 15 th Sept., 2013.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> After type-locality, noun in apposition.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Length 100 mm. Segments 116. Brown dorsum, with weak clitellum 14-16. Open epilobous. First dorsal pore in 12/13. Setae ca. 74 on 12 and 15 or ca. 68 on 20. Spermathecal pores 6/7/8. Female pore mid-ventral on 14. Male pores on 18 within large trnasverse slits in round porophores filling 18 longitudinally with ca, 12 setae intervening. No trace of GMs.</p> <p>Internally, large ganglia seen in segment 2. Septa 8/9/10 aborted around gizzard. Spermathecae with small, poorly developed but single clavate diverticulum and no nephridia on duct. Meroic. Seminal vesicles vestigial. Last hearts and small ovaries in 13. Prostates racemose on muscular duct but copulatory pouch not pronounced. Intestinal caeca ventrally incised from 27.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> In the rather outdated key of Sims & Easton (1972) the non-superficial male pores of the current species keys it to the <i>Metaphire planata</i> -group at that time composed of six species, now doubled. The only one nearby being <i>M. parvula</i> (Ohfuchi, 56: 152) [non <i>parvula</i> Goto & Hatai, 1898 see Blakemore, 2003] from the Ryukus that is smaller at 50-65 mm, with setae on 3-8,9 long and widely spaced plus a simple rather than incised caecum; it is perhaps similar to <i>M. decipiens</i> (Beddard, 1912) from the Philippines that is usually (incorrectly?) placed in <i>Pheretima darnleiensis</i> (Fletcher, 1886). Chinese taxa added to the group are <i>M. jianfengensis</i> (Quan, 1985) that is somewhat larger at 160-250 mm and <i>M. nanlingmontis</i> plus and <i>M. dadingmontis</i> both from Guangdong by Zhang <i>et al</i>., 2006 having accessory glands in the spermathecal and/or prostate regions. Most other members of the group also have GMs, for example, <i>M. planata</i> (Gates, 1926) found in Southeast Asia has them in 7 and 8 just median to the spermathecal pores (that are actually in these segments). If the male pores were taken as superficial but in seminal grooves (unlikely as these are rarely lateral), it would qualify under Sims & Easton’s scheme as part of an <i>Amynthas tokioensis</i> spp.- group, this also highly outdated, especially since manicate caeca were confirmed from the type by Blakemore (2010: fig. 2) whereas the present species has simple incised caeca.</p> <p> The only similar cosmopolitan species (keys from Blakemore, 2012f) is perhaps <i>Metaphire sandvicensis</i> (Beddard, 1896) sp. <i>incert. sedis.</i> from Hawaii that was initially misdescribed regarding spermathecal pores in 6/7/8, later corrected to 7/8/9 as in <i>M. californica</i>.</p> <p> Despite its sub-adult condition, the present taxon is clearly distinguished from all other <i>Metaphire</i> species in Japan and Korea with spermathecae in 6/7/8 that have manicate caeca rather than simple, incised as here. Neither are the local “ <i>Amynthas</i> ” spp. with spermathecae in 6/7/8 similar, as discussed under the account of <i>Amynthas mujuensis</i> Hong & Kim, 2002: 195.</p> <p>Blast analysis of the DNA data in the Appendix failed to make a match closer than 87% similarity and the barcode profile now helps define this species.</p>Published as part of <i>Blakemore, Robert J., Lee, Seunghan & Seo, Hong-Yul, 2015, Account of montane and insular speciation in some Korean megadriles (Annelida: Oligochaeta), pp. 1-22 in Journal of Species Research 4 (1)</i> on pages 9-10, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2015.4.1.001, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8135064">http://zenodo.org/record/8135064</a>
Maoridrilus felix Blakemore, sp. nov.
No full textMaoridrilus felix Blakemore sp. nov. Material examined. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa W.002908 (Holotype). From the tussock grassland of ‘Happy Valley’ (Upper Waimangaroa Valley, Buller Region, West Coast, New Zealand). Collected by S. Boyer, 2010. Mature, complete, fixed in ethanol 98 % and placed in propylene glycol. Etymology. Adjectival Latin for “Happy”, after the location name. External characters. Body circular in anterior, squaring off in mid-body and dorsally canaliculate in the posterior 50 or so segments. Pigment dark, especially dorsum chocolate brown with darker mid-dorsal stripe. Length 170 mm with 199 segments. Prostomium tanylobous. Setae lumbricine. Clitellum faintly marked 15-19,½ 20. Dorsal pores wanting. Nephropores, after the first few segments, alternate regularly between c and b lines with anterior segmental distributions: 3–7 c, 8 c or b, 9–10 c, 11 b, 12 c, 13 b, etc. Spermathecal pores in mid-ab lines in 7 / 8 and 8 / 9. Female pores faint, just anterior to b setae on 14. Prostatic pores approximately in a lines on 17 and 19 with protuberant penial setae. Male pores not located within concave seminal grooves, although likely central between retained ab setae. Genital markings absent, but setae ab on 16 with slight pale tumescence as on 20 lhs. Genital setae absent; penial setae longish, curving with spoon-shaped tips [one of their functions, if not primary function, is to scrape out or disrupt any prior semen from spermathecal diverticula that often correspond in depth to the setal length (see Blakemore 2000)]. Internal morphology. Pharyngeal mass anterior to 4 / 5. Septa mostly thin and translucent. Proventriculus wide and S-shaped in 5. Gizzard muscular in 6. Dorsal blood vessel single thoughout. Heart paired in 10–13. Nephridia holoic with long, sausage-shaped vesicles. Spermathecae in 8 and 9 each with a multiloculate diverticulum (inseminated) transcending anterior septum. Testes free, posterio-ventrally in 10 and 11. Seminal vesicles saccular, anterio-dorsally in 11 and 12. Ovaries compact sheets in 13 with large oviducts; ovisacs not found. Prostates tubular in 17 and 19 exiting through muscular ducts with ectal penial setal sheathes and tendons. Vasa deferentia seen to 18. Oesophagus dilated in 11–15 with blood vessels attaching dorsally but not saccular and not construed as calciferous glands. Intestinal origin in 18. Typhlosole not detected to about 26. Gut contains colloidal organic matter. Ecology: Lack of dorsal pores is more usually associated with a semi-aquatic habitat. Unidentified nematodes were found near the prostates (cf. Yeates et al., 1985). Specimen was found under 10 to 20 cm of soil. Dark colouration on the dorsum suggests at least partial surface exposure on topsoil, gut content suggests topsoil geophagy. This species is likely to be anecic. Remarks. Quintessentially Maoridrilus due to its alternating nephridiopores, this species appears unique in its lack of dorsal pores (although more information is needed on several other congeners), gizzard in 6, lack of oesophageal glands, and genital marking absence. Multiloculate spermathecae appear characteristic of the genus and in the current species their form is almost identical to Maoridrilus thomsoni Benham, 1919: fig. 4 from D’Urville Island in Cook Strait. Lee (1959) held this species, along with similar M. intermedius Michaelsen, 1923 and M. mauiensis Benham, 1904, as incertae sedis because original descriptions were inadequate. Permanence of the name M. felix depends on redescription of M. thomsoni, however, the manifestly larger penial setae and lack of oesophageal glands in 14–16 seem to separate the current species. Maoridrilus nelsoni Lee, 1959 differs in its prostatic pores in b lines, and its prominent tuberculae pubertatis ventrally on segments 10 and 16. Maoridrilus uliginosus (Hutton, 1877) differs, not least, in its paired dorsal blood vessel.Published as part of Boyer, Stephane, Blakemore, Robert J. & Wratten, Steve D., 2011, An integrative taxonomic approach to the identification of three new New Zealand endemic earthworm species (Acanthodrilidae, Octochaetidae: Oligochaeta), pp. 21-32 in Zootaxa 2994 on page 23, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20517
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