Description of Marylynnia puncticaudata n. sp. (Nematoda, Cyatholaimidae) from Bizerte Lagoon, Tunisia

F Boufahja,H Beyrem

doi:10.32800/abc.2014.37.0205

Abstract

A new free–living marine nematode species of Cyatholaimidae, Marylynnia puncticaudata n. sp. from Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia) is morphologically described. Males are characterized by a slightly larger body than females, a cephalic ring followed by ten subcephalic setae, modified cuticular punctuation, caudal lateral differentiation of large dots, and strongly cuticularized gubernaculum with a unique shape and bidenticulated distal half. The cuticle ornamentation of females is similar to the males. However, their caudal lateral differentiation is composed of smaller and more spaced dots. An updated morphological key to species of Marylynnia is given.

Highlights

To date, 6,900 species of free–living marine nema todes have been morphologically described (Apple tans et al, 2012), most of which are from West Europe and North America
The type materials are held at the Laboratory of Biomoni toring of the Environment located in the Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte (Carthage University, Tunisia)
Etymology This species is named after the characteristic larger dots in the lateral differentiation on the lower 75% conical region of the tail which is visible even at 10x magnification, especially for males

Summary

Introduction

6,900 species of free–living marine nema todes have been morphologically described (Apple tans et al, 2012), most of which are from West Europe and North America. In the case of Tunisia, 249 species of free–living marine nematodes have been collected since 1977 from several lagoons, beaches and mudflats (Boufahja et al, 2014). 20 species are being consid ered as new to science (Boufahja et al, 2014). Morphological descriptions have been published, by Aїssa & Vitiello (1977), for three validated species collected from the Northern Lake of Tunis (Tunisia): Chromadorina metulata, Metalinhomoeus numidicus and Synonchiella edax. 17 species have not yet been described (Boufahja et al, 2014)

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