Abstract
Two new earthworm Metaphire species are described from Highlands of Vietnam, namely Metaphire mangcanhensis sp. nov. and Metaphire dalatensis sp. nov. The former belonging to M. merabahensis species-group, is characterized by three pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8, first dorsal pore at 12/13, a pair of three genital markings clustered in vii, and simple intestinal caeca while the latter belonging to M. houlleti species-group, is distinguished by first dorsal pore at 10/11, male pore distance about 0.33 body circumference, ampulla duct distally enlarged, and lacking penial setae. The COI barcodes are also provided for both species.
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