Molecular and morphological characterisation of Paurodontella persica n. sp. (Hexatylina: Sphaerulariidae) from soil in Iran

Abstract

A new species ofPaurodontella,P. persican. sp., collected from the Alborz rangelands of Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterised by its body length of 506 (416-599) μm and 424 (388-461) μm in female and male, respectively, four incisures in lateral field, lip region annulated and continuous with body contour, total stylet 6.2 (5.5-7.0) μm long. Basal pharyngeal bulb with small posterior extension projecting reaching to the intestine. Excretory pore situated at the level of basal pharyngeal bulb region. Post-uterine sac short, 4.5 (3.0-6.0) μm long and uterus with an offset diverticulum. Tail of both sexes similar, conoid pointed, terminus tapering into a long pointed mucron. Male with adanal bursa and spicules 16.5 (16.0-17.0) μm long. The new species comes close in morphology and morphometrics to four known species of the genus, namelyP. auriculata,P. myceliophaga,P. minutaandP. niger. Molecular analyses of the partial small subunit rDNA gene (SSU), D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rDNA gene (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) revealed this to be a new species.