A new species of the genus Metaphire (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from northern China with data from the mitochondrial genome

This study describes a new species, Metaphire wenanensis Liu & Zhao, sp. nov. integrating morphological characters and molecular data. The new species is assigned to the M. houlleti group, and is characterized by three pairs of spermathecal pores at 6 / 7–8 / 9, and absence of genital markings both anterior and posterior to the clitellum. The spermathecae are connected to the body wall through a disc-shaped atrium, which is interposed between them and the body wall.

The molecular phylogenetic position of M. wenanensis Liu & Zhao, sp. nov. within the M. houlleti group was analyzed using mitochondrial genome data. This marks the initial documentation of a new species within the family Megascolecidae in northern China since the last decades.