Three new species of free-living marine nematodes from the central basin of the South China Sea

Abstract

ABSTRACT Three new species of free-living nematodes were discovered in the central basin of the South China Sea and are described here as Elzalia longicaudata sp. nov., Minolaimus distalamphidus sp. nov. and Setoplectus minor sp. nov. Elzalia longicaudata sp. nov. is characterised by a longer tail and longer buccal cavity relative to other members of the genus; presence of a circle of four cervical setae; spicules slender and long, which curve as the body bends; and simple gubernaculum with only one section of dorsal apophysis. Minolaimus distalamphidus sp. nov. can be distinguished from congeners by the male having lateral differentiation with six longitudinal rows of large dots; multispiral amphideal fovea with 8.5 turns; pharynx cylindrical without bulb; spicules slightly arcuate; gubernaculum rod-like without apophysis; about 17 sucker-shaped precloacal supplements; and tail conical with long filiform posterior portion. Setoplectus minor sp. nov. differs from its congeners by small body size, anterior third of pharyngeal region attenuated; cephalic setae 2 µm long; amphidial aperture circular or oval; tail elongated conical; male with a single papilliform precloacal supplement. Updated identification keys for species of the three genera are also given. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:623BC44A-A07F-420E-AA41-271CF85F64C6