Description of Aphelenchoides xui sp. n. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) in packaging wood from South Africa

Abstract

Aphelenchoides xui sp. n. is described and illustrated from imported packaging wood from South Africa intercepted at Ningbo Port, China. The new species has a body length of 564-820 μm (males) and 549-882 μm (females). The cuticle is weakly annulated with four lines in the lateral field. The stylet is 11-13 μm long and has small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located ca one body diam. posterior to the median bulb, or 75-100 μm from the head. Spicules are relatively large (18-23 μm) with apex and rostrum rounded and well developed and the end of the dorsal limb clearly curved ventrad like a hook. The male tail bears six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae. The spermatheca is axial and oblong and contains disc-like sperm. The female tail is conical, terminating in a complicated step-like projection, usually with many tiny nodular protuberances. The new species is morphologically similar to A. arcticus, A. haguei and A. parasaprophilus in Group 2 sensu Shahina, but is distinguished by spicule shape and form of the female tail terminus. Phylogenetic analysis based on SSU and partial LSU sequences revealed that A. xui sp. n. was closest to A. varicaudatus, although some species of Laimaphelenchus and Schistonchus were also included in the same branch.