Leptolaimus holovachovi sp. nov. (Nematoda) from Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve, Shenzhen, South China

Abstract

A new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Leptolaimus belonging to the family Laptolaimidae was collected from intertidal sediments of the Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve, Shenzhen, South China, and it is described here as Leptolaimus holovachovi sp. nov. The new species is characterized by body length 734–896 µm in males and 822–941 µm in females; papilliform cephalic sensilla; circular amphideal fovea; males with 7–14 anterior midventral alveoli in the pharyngeal region, 4–5 midventral tubular precloacal supplements and 4–6 alveolar precloacal supplements; spicules slender, slightly arcuate, proximally cephalated and distally pointed. Plate-like gubernaculum without apophyses. The new species differs from other congener species of the genus by the unique feature of having anterior midventral alveoli in the pharyngeal region.