Abstract
Smithsoninema inaequale n.g., n.sp. (Nematoda: Leptolaimidae: Camacolaiminae) is described from one male and one female specimen taken from within an arenaceous foraminiferan, Vanhoeffenella aff. gaussi RHUMBLER 1905 (Foraminifera: Astrorhizidae) collected off the coast of Luanda, Angola. The male has a cuticularized, stylet-like thickening of the dorsal buccal wall, and the posterior end of the esophagus is glandular and elongated as in members of Anguinoides and Onchium (Camacolaiminae). Smithsoninema n.g. is characterized by its strong sexual dimorphism. Males are long, slender, and structurally similar to other males of Camacolaiminae. Females are short and stout, with a voluminous, trophosome-like midgut devoid of an internal lumen. The rectum and anus are vestigial. Through the transparent walls of the test it was possible to see the male and female nematodes enclosed within the theca of the foraminiferan. The nematodes were probably parasites, or endo-predators, rather than inquilines. Camacolaiminae is redefined and Nemella COBB 1920 is synonymized with lonema COBB 1920. Dagda SOUTHERN 1914 and Diodontolaimus SOUTHERN 1914 are transferred to Camacolaiminae, although Dagda asymmetrica GERLACH 1953, D. phinneyi MURPHY 1964, and Diodontolaimus tenuispiculum GERLACH 1955 are transferred from their respective genera to Procamacolaimus. Eontolaimus FURSTENBERG & VINCX 1988 is synonymized with Listia BLOME 1982 (Leptolaiminae). A key to the genera of Camacolaiminae is provided. Additional key words: Camacolaiminae, onchiostyle Several collections of deep-sea nematodes taken on cruises of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's research vessels have been deposited at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Included among these collections are nematodes taken during cruise 42 of Atlantis II, from Walvis Bay, Namibia to Luanda, Angola. An examination of this material during a visit to the National Museum of Natural History by the second author revealed a single foraminiferan test containing one male and one female of a new genus and new species, described herein.
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