Bulletin OF THE Illinois State Laboratory Natural History Urbana, Illinois, U. S. A. STEPHEN A. FORBES, Ph. D., LL. D. Director Vol. X August, 1915 Articles VII-VIII. ART. VII. TWO NEW SPECIES OF EUMBRICID.E FROM ILLINOIS BY Frank Smith, A.M., and Elizabeth Mae Gittins, M. A. ART. VIII. TWO NEW VARIETIES OF EARTHWORMS WITH A KEY TO DESCRIBED SPECIES IN ILLINOIS BY Frank Smith, A. M. ERRATA Page 49, line 7 from bottom, page 69. line 8 from bottom, page 85, last line, and page 86, line 11 from bottom, for choiiuct'hrista read chaiiuvcristt]. Page 71, line 2 from bottom, for Tctraophthalmus, read Tetraopes. Page 75, line 3 (second column) below first heading, for Cistudo read Terrapene. Page 76, last line in first list, for brcvicaudis read brcvicauda. Page 87, line 2 (second column) below first heading, for carisce read cardisce. Page 214, lines 4, 7, and 11 above heading, for flaviciiigulata read flavicingula. Page 283, line 19 from bottom, for Simulidcc read Siiiiiiliida-. Page 289, line 7, for Bezzia read Probezzia. Page 409, line 23, after /i. read 5.^6. Page 531, line 12 from bottom, for dissimilis read nivoriundus. ARTICI.E VII. — Two Nezv Species of Lmnhricidcc from Illinois: By Frank Smith and Euzabeth Mae Gittins. But few species of endemic Lumbricida- have been described from the United States and none from Illinois. The species here described and others of which descriptions are in preparation are of the small group which has had its chief development in North America and which has been designated by Michaelsen as the subgenus Biiiuistus of the genus Helodrilus. Much of the matter in this paper is from a thesis presented by the junior author in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Graduate School of the University of Illinois. The thesis was prepared under the supervision of the senior author and based on material in his collections. HELODRitus (Bimastus) zeteki n. sp. Definition.—Color of living worm, chestnut-brown tinged with purple, more pronounced anteriorly. Length, extended, 97-140 mm. Ma.ximum diameter, 5-6.5 mm. at the clitellum. Somites, 100-142. Prostomium epilobic, K?-/^- Setae closely paired; anterior to the clitellum, aa: ah: be: cd: dd ^ 6: 1:5: i : 20; posterior to the clitel- lum, be is relatively greater, and dd is somewhat less. First dorsal pore, V/VI. Clitellum XXVII-XXXVII (=11 somites) ; incomplete ventrally. Tubercula pubertatis lacking. Spermiducal pores on XV, inconspicuous, with the surrounding glandular areas encroaching but slightly on XVI. Septa VI/VII-XII/XIII are thickened and XIII/ XIV and XI\'/X\' are more strongly thickened. Sperm sacs, two pairs, in XI and XII. Spermatheca; lacking. The type, which is an Illinois specimen, and the paratypes are in the collection of the senior author. The description of this species is based on specimens found in the woodlands of two localities near Urbana, Illinois, and in those ot a locality near Douglas Lake in Cheboygan County. Michigan. The Illinois specimens were collected bj- Mr. James Zetek, for whom the species is named, and the Michigan specimens were collected by Miss Bessie Green, who was at the time a Research Assistant at the LTni- *CoutributionR from the Zoological Laboratory, University of Illinois, No. 41. 54G versity of Michigan Biological Station, located on the shore of Douglas Lake. These worms were found living in the wood and under the hark of decaying logs, and sometimes immediately heneath such logs. EXTERNAL CHARACTERS The purplish brown coloration is most pronounced on the an- terior dorsal surface, and the under parts are distinctly paler. The clitellum is brownish buff. The length of the type specimen is 135 mm. and its maximum diameter is 6 mm., while the corresponding dimensions of the paratypes are 97-140 mm. and 5-6.5 mm. respec- tively. The Michigan specimens average somewhat smaller than those from Illinois. The diameter of the peristomium of the type specimen is about 3 mm., and then follows a gradual increase in diameter to XII, where it is 5 mm., and from there it remains uniform until the clitellum is reached, where the maximum of 6 mm. is attained. Pos- terior to the clitellum the diameter is nearly uniform and about 4 mm. This region is slightly flattened in the living worm and there are dis- tinct dorso-lateral and ventro-lateral angles. There are 100 somites in the type specimen, which shows evidence of having lost a number of somites from the posterior end. In the paratypes the number is 134-142. The somites anterior to the clitellum are slightly longer and more distinct than the posterior ones. The arrangement of the setae in somites anterior to the clitellum is indicated by the formula aa: ab: be: cd: (/of = 6: i : 5 : i : 20; dii equals one half of the circumference. Posterior to the clitellum, be Ijecomes relatively somewhat greater and dd somewhat less. The clitellum is on XXVII-XXXVII. In the type specimen it is not as well developed on XXV^II as on the other somites. In one paratype it is on yi XXVII-XXXVIII. The clitellum is saddle-shaped and reaches its most ventral limit on XXXIV, where the margins are only [.33-1.5 mm. apart. On XXVII and XXVIII the ventral margin is slightly dorsad of b; on XXIX, between a and b; and on XXX- XXXVI, includes the ventral setK. Tubercula pubertatis are lacking. The paired spermiducal pores are on XV, slightly dorsad of b. Each is in a deep transverse groove and is bordered by a slightly elevated glandular area which extends ventrally to b, anteriorly as far as XIV/ XV, and posteriorly encroaches on XVI. The oviducal pores are small apertures slightly dorsad of b on XIV. The nephridiopores are large and easily seen, and their position is similar to those of other Lumbrieida. They are near the anterior borders of the somites, some of them slightly farther dorsad than b, while others are approxi- mately midway between the dorsal setae and the mid-dorsal line. INTERNAL CHARACTERS The alimentary tract is similar in its parts and relations to those of other species of Helodrilus. The esophagus is of relatively small diameter in V—IX. The calciferous gland involves that part of the esophagus which is in X— J/^ XIV. In X the esophagus abruptly in- creases in diameter, especially in the frontal plane, and two lateral pouches are formed. In XI and XII the diameter diminishes slightly, and in XIII more rapidly, so that in the posterior part of the latter somite it is again small. The walls of the pouches in X have numer- ous longitudinal folds which are high on the lateral walls and low on the dorsal and ventral walls. These folds are continuous posteriorly with longitudinal radially arranged partitions which at their inner edges unite with the esophageal epithelium and at their outer edges meet the circular muscular layer of the esophageal wall. These parti- tions extend back to the middle of XIV', being wide in XI and XII, diminishing in width in XIII, and disappearing in the anterior half of XIV. The partitions divide the wide space between the esophageal epithelium and outer wall into longitudinal radially arranged cavities which extend from their anterior opening into the lateral pouches in X to their very inconspicuous posterior openings into the lumen of the esophagus in XIV. The cavities receive the secretions from the secretory layers of the partitions, each of which has two such layers and an included blood sinus. The partitions and included cavities are widest in the lateral and narrowest in the dorso-ventral transverse axes of the esophagus, while the esophageal lumen is narrowest later- ally. The epithelial layer of the folds in X and of the esophagus in XI—^ XI\' is ciliated. The calciferous gland of H. zeteki is very similar to that of a considerable number of other species of Helodrilus which have been examined by the writers. The number of partitions in the gland of H. cctcki in the few specimens examined is 60-64, which is a considerably larger number than that found in some species of smaller worms. The crop involves XV^ and XVI, and the gizzard, XVII and XVIII. Septa VI/VII-XII/XIII are thickened and XIII / XIV and XIV/XV are more strongly thickened. The spermaries and spermiducal funnels have the usual positions in X and XI and the two sperm ducts of either side unite near XII/ XIII and form a common duct extending just beneath the peritoneal layer to the anterior limit of XV. Rather large masses of gland cells surround the terminal parts of the sperm ducts and encroach on the cavity of XV and on that of either XIV or XVI. There are two pairs of sperm sacs, one pair in XI and one in XII. Those of the latter pair are the larger, and when fully developed their dorsal parts 548 meet above the esophagus. Ovaries, oviducal funnels, oviducts, and ovisacs have the usual positions and relations. No trace of sper- mathcCcT has been found in the several series of sections carefully (.xaniined for them. Hei.odrii.us (Bimastus) longicinctus n. sp. Definition.—Color of antero-dorsal part of living worm, rose- red. Length of extended specimens, 65-92 mm. Maximum diameter, 3.5 mm. at the clitellum. Somites, 98-122. Prostomium epilobic, yi-ys. Setae closely paired ; aa: ah: be: ed: dd =: 10 : i : 7^^ : 5^ : 30. First dorsal pore V/VI. Clitellum, XXIII-XXXII or XXXIII (= 10 or II somites) ; incomplete ventrally. Tuljercula pubertatis lack- ing. Spermiducal pores on XV conspicuous, with surrounding glandu- lar areas encroaching slightly on XVI. Septa VI/VII and XIV/XV somewhat thickened and VII/VIII-XIII/XIV more strongly thick- ened. Sperm sacs, two pairs, one pair in XI, and the other in XII. Spermathecre lacking. The type and paratypes are in the collection of the senior author. The description of this species is based on specimens found in the lawns and parkings of Urbana, Illinois. EXTERNAL CHARACTERS The rose-red coloration is most pronounced on the antero-dorsal surface, the other parts being distinctly paler. The clitellum is flesh- colored. The length of the type specimen is 72 mm. and its maximum diameter 3.5 mm. at the clitellum. The diameter of the preclitellar part is slightly less than this, but somewhat exceeds that posterior to the clitellum. There are 98 somites in the type specimen and 98-122 in the paratypes. Each somite is divided by an indistinct median annulus, and the anterior half of the somite has a somewhat fainter coloration than the posterior. The length of the anterior somites does not exceed that of the posterior ones. The relative distances between the setae indicated by the formula au: ab: be: cd: c/c? = 10: i : 7)4 : Ys : 30, apply to the arrangement both anterior and posterior to the clitellum. In one specimen, be is relatively greater and dd corre- spondingly less. The clitellum is on XXIII-XXXII or XXXIII, and is saddle- shaped. Its ventral margins converge slightly from XXIV to XXXI and on XXVII-XXXI reach b, which is the ventral limit of the cli- tellum. No traces of tubercula pubertatis are recognizable. The paired spermiducal pores are on XV, slightly dorsad of b. Each is sur- 549 rounded by a comparatively prominent glandular area which extends ventrally to b, and encroaches on XVI. The oviducal pores are small apertures slightly dorsad of h, on XR'. The ncphridiopores are distributed in a manner quite similar to that described in H. zctcki. INTERNAL CHARACTERS The septa \T/VII and XIV/XV are somewhat thickened and VII/VIII-XIII/XIV more strongly thickened. The calciferous gland has the ordinary lumbricid structure. The esophagus is abruptly doubled in diameter in X, and forms the anterior part of the gland, this gland extending to the middle of XIV, but with gradually de- creasing diameter. The gland has about 60 longitudinal partitions. The typhlosole begins in XX. The principal difference between the structure of the circulatory system and that ordinarily found in the genus is in the relative size of the "hearts" of XI. In all of the speci- mens examined, they are uniformly much smaller than those of so- mites anterior to XI. We have found no such difference in size in other species. Nothing has been noticed in which the structure of the nervous and excretory systems differs from that in related species. The spermaries and spermiducal funnels have the usual positions in X and XI, and the terminal parts of the sperm ducts are surrounded in XV by rather large masses of gland cells which encroach somewhat on the cavities of that somite and of X\^I. There are two pairs of sperm sacs, one pair in XI and one in XII. The various female re- productive organs have the usual positions and relations except that spermathecse are entirely lacking. Affinities of the two New Species In a recent paper. Michaelsen ('10) has united the genera Eiscni- clla. Eisciiia. and Hclodrihis. and recognizes only Liiinhriciis. Octo- lasiiiin, and Hclodrihis as distinct lumbricid genera. He includes in the subgenus Biinasfus of the genus Hdodrihts species having no spermatheca?, no sperm sacs except in XI and XII, the tubercula pubertatis indistinct or lacking, and the clitellum not extending pos- terior to XXXII/XXXIII. H. zctcki meets this fourfold require- ment except in the last character, and in this respect it differs much from its most nearly related species ; nevertheless, it seems reasonable to assign it to the subgenus Biiiiastiis. H. longicinctiis is clearly included within the same subgenus, and so closelv resembles some of the species already described as to make it desirable to state the grounds on which it has been thought neces- sary to establish another species. H. (B.) bcddardi (Mich.) has the 550 clitellum on XXIV or XXV-XXXI or J^ XXXII, but has indistinct tubercula pubertatis, very little glandular tissue about the spermiducal pores, and, what is perhaps more important, has the septa of VI-XV all thin, while in H. longicinctiis these septa are strongly thickened. Finally, in the latter species the "hearts" of XI are much smaller than those anterior to that somite, while in H. bcddardi (Mich.) the "hearts" of XI are similar in size to the others. Michaelsen ('lo: 64) reports a specimen from Tibet, in which the clitellum is on XXIII- XXXII and which he considers to be H. bcddardi (Mich.), but not enough characters are given to permit a decision concerning the rela- tionship of this specimen to H. longicinctits. H. (B.) parvus (Eisen) has the clitellum quite uniformly on XXIV-XXX in specimens from North America. The tubercula pubertatis are indistinct and variable, and on XXV or XXVI-XXIX or XXX. Michaelsen ('09 : 248) refers to a specimen from Kashmir, in which the clitellum is on XXV-XXX and the tubercula pubertatis on XXVI-XXIX. In another paper ('10: 64) he mentions two spec- imens from China in which the clitellum is on XXIII-XXX, and also expresses a doubt as to the actual specific distinctness of H. (B.) parvus from H. heddardi (Mich.). Whatever the final decision con- cerning the relations of these two species may be, it can not, in the opinion of the writers, invalidate the distinctness of H. longicinctus in view of the differences mentioned above. LITERATURE CITED Michaelsen, W. '09. The Oligochseta of India, Nepal, Ceylon, Burma and the Andaman Islands. Mem. Ind. Mus., Calcutta, i:i—ii+103- 253. 2 pi. '10. Zur Kenntnis der Lumbriciden und ihrer Verbreitung. Ann. Mus. Zool. Acad. Imp. Sci. St. Petersb., 15: 1-74.