ON THE GENUS ECLIPIDRILUS EISEN, 1881 (LUMBRICULIDAE, CLITELLATA), INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF ECLIPIDRILUS-ITHYS SP.NOV

The genus Eclipidrilus is recognized from the unique apomorphy of elon gate atria with spiral muscles. The spermathecae are in segment IX, th e male pores in X, and female pores in 10/11; testes are found in IX-X or X and ovaries in XI. The seven North American species, one of whic h has been recorded from Wales, differ in regard to the presence or ab sence of a proboscis, the median unpaired or lateral paired gonopores, the form of the penes, and the number of spermathecae and (or) atria. The primary characteristics of Eclipidrilus ithys sp.nov, are that it lacks a proboscis, it has a small penis, and while there may be one o r two atria, the atrial pores are ventrolateral (not median), the ejac ulatory duct forms an upright structure in X, and the spermathecal and male pores are not enclosed in massive glands.