A new free-living nematode, Actinonema falciforme sp. nov. (Nematoda: Chromadoridae), from the continental shelf of the East China Sea

Abstract

Actinonema falciforme sp. nov. was discovered from the continental-shelf sediments of the East China Sea. It is characterized by six outer labial setae and four cephalic setae in one circle, complex and heterogeneous cuticular ornamentation with lateral differentiation, large and conspicuous amphideal fovea which is transversely ovalshaped, a single anterior testis, two opposed reflexed ovaries, falciform telamon (lateral pieces of gubernaculum), and the lack of spicule and gubernaculum. Within the genus Actinonema, only A. longicaudatum and the new species possess telamon and lack spicule and gubernaculum. Actinonema falciforme sp. nov. can be easily differentiated from A. longicaudatum by its much shorter body length, the peculiar shape of the telamon and a shorter tail.