New taxonomic information of Cryphodera kalesari (Nematoda: Heteroderidae)

Abstract

Summary A population consisting of only second-stage juveniles of Cryphodera kalesari (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) was detected in the rhizosphere of bamboo in a forest in Mizoram state of India. New taxonomical information is provided for the juveniles, including the first light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. The juveniles are characterised by a body length of 0.3-0.4 mm, lateral field with three longitudinal incisures forming two areolated bands, a well-sclerotised and offset lip region with three lip annuli, a robust and strong stylet measuring 25-28 μm in length, anteriorly flat to slightly concave knobs, a secretory-excretory pore often at isthmus level, a conoid tail 47-52 μm long tapering to a narrow rounded terminus, a pore-like phasmid, and a distinct hyaline portion of the tail occupying roughly half of the tail length. The first molecular data of C. kalesari (sequences of 18S and D2-D3 of 28S rRNA genes and COI gene of mtDNA) were found to be almost identical to that of an unidentified Cryphodera sp. reported from Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, indicating that C. kalesari is widespread across south-east Asia.