Eutyphoeus kashongensis Tiwari & Yadav 2025, sp. nov.

Eutyphoeus kashongensis Tiwari & Yadav sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 32D476D3-EBB1-4691-B4AA-931469B01046 Figs 5, 14; Tables 1–2 Diagnosis Length 75–124 mm, diameter 3–4 mm, segments 75–140. Prostomium tanylobic. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Male genital orifices avestibulate and apenile discharges under cuneate wedge-shaped papillae at b. One pair of spermathecal pores in intersegment 7/8 at ab. Genital marking paired, postsetal, annular at b, the inner circle dark pigmented, outer circle light in color extends up to a on xv and xvi. Septa 7/8 and 8/9 missing. Intestinal caeca small, in xxvii. Holandric. Three pairs of supra-intestinal glands. Prostate tubular, prostatic duct shining white, looped three times. Bidiverticulate spermathecae. Penial setae ornamented with longitudinal series of triangular spine on anterior end, tip blunt. Genital marking glands present. Etymology The etymology of Eutyphoeus kashongensis Tiwari & Yadav sp. nov. refers to the fact that it was discovered near the Kashong Peak, specifically in the neighborhood of Shirui Kashong (Peak) in Manipur, India. Its scientific name indicates the specific geographic origin in the area surrounding Kashong Peak, in order to highlight the necessity of identifying and protecting the biodiversity in the area surrounding Shirui Kashong (Peak). It also emphasizes the significance of conservation efforts in safeguarding the natural habitats of Manipur’s diverse landscapes. Material examined Holotype INDIA – Manipur • clitellate (few segments from caudal region taken for DNA extraction); Shirui Kashong (Peak), Shiroi National Park; 25.1302° N, 94.4202° E; elev. 2106.19 m; 11 Oct. 2017; Shweta Yadav leg.; registration number – ZSI CZRC T/14; MNP17-1110-45A7. Paratypes INDIA – Manipur • 3 clitellates; same data as for holotype; MNP17-1112-45A9, MNP17-1114-45A11, MNP17-1119-45A16. Other material INDIA – Manipur • 3 specs; same data as for holotype; MNP17-1113 - 45 A10, MNP17-1129 - 45 A27, MNP17-1134 - 45 A32. Description Holotype Length 115 mm, diameter 3.58 mm. Total number of segments 135. Prostomium tanylobic. Body coloration is non-uniform, with anterior 16 segments being dark wood brown, while posterior region is light cedar brown. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Setae begins from segment ii, aa: ab: bc: cd: dd = 2:1: 2.66:1.49: 12.31 on xii and aa: ab: bc: cd: dd = 2.94:1: 2.35:1.44: 12.54 on xxiv. Clitellum narrow with rounded ends at xvii somewhat alabastron pot-like, occupying ⅔ xiii–½ xvii. Spermathecal pores at ab on intersegmental region of vii/viii, opens with a slit-like aperture on raised area amid fissured area. Female pores paired on xiv, presetal, at a slightly towards median. Male genital region in hemispherical cauldron shape shallow vent, in ½ xvi–½ xviii, male genital orifices avestibulate and apenile discharge under cuneate (wedge-shaped) papillae with fimbriated margin at the anterior wall on segment xvii at b, each papilla extends from a to b. A pair of long (2.38 mm) penial setae emerge out from male genital orifices. Genital markings paired, postsetal, at b, the inner circle dark pigmented, outer circle light in color, extends up to a on xv and xvi. Septa 4/5/6/7 thickened, 7/8 and 8/9 missing, 9/10 and 10/11 thickened and displaced backwards, 11/12 missing or represented by a ventral vestige. Gizzard in viii, dorsal blood vessel terminates anterior to gizzard in vi. Intramural calciferous gland present in xii, intestine begins in xv, last pair of hearts in xiii. Supra-intestinal gland 3 pairs in lxv– lxvii. Lateral intestinal caeca small in xxvii. Tufts of nephridia present in segment iii. Holandric, testis sacs in x and xi, male funnels usually rounded iridescent, seminal vesicles on ix and xii, second one extends up to xiv. Prostate extends from xvii–xxii. The prostatic duct shining white, looped three times. Spermathecae are bidiverticulate, with sausage-shaped diverticula. These diverticula exhibit a spermatozoal iridescence, confined to the terminal seminal chambers, duct short and wide, ampulla ellipsoid. Penial setae deeply embedded in the body wall, length 2.38 mm, width 0.031 mm, ornamentation with longitudinal series of triangular spine on anterior end, tip blunt, two per battery. Genital marking glands paired, sessile, spherical, swollen in xv and xvi. Variations The paratype MNP17-1114-45A11 exhibits a single, post-setal genital marking on xviii. Also in paratype MNP17-1112-45A 9 in one spermatheca, one of the diverticula has two lobes which apprehends the presence of three diverticula. Remarks The species was categorized as part of the hastatus group (Gates 1958), which is characterized by a pair of spermathecal pores in vii/viii at ab, avestibulate male genital orifices and holandric testes. It seems to be close to Eutyphoeus shiroensis sp. nov. and distinguished from other species of the group by the presence of an alabastron pot clitellum. In addition, the male genital orifices discharges under cuneate wedge-shaped papillae with a fimbriated margin at b (Table 1). DNA barcode The COI barcode data for the holotype MNP17-1110-45A7 (process ID IEW1064-17) is assigned BIN BOLD: ADL1717. Eutyphoeus kashongensis sp. nov. has a mean intraspecific divergence of 0.07%, with a maximum of 0.15%. Its closest relative, Eutyphoeus tengnoupalensis sp. nov. has a nearest neighbor distance of 10.35% (Table 2). All specimens of this species share the same BIN.