Anal Body Diameter Research Articles

Heterorhabditis pakistanense n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) a new entomopathogenic nematode from Pakistan.

A new entomopathogenic nematode species of Heterorhabditis, described as H. pakistanense n. sp., was isolated from soil samples around the roots of grass at Malir, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The new species is characterized morphologically by features of males: body size 819 μm (720-1013 μm), D% ((distance from anterior end to excretory pore divided by pharynx length) × 100) 119 (110-126), SW% ((spicule length divided by anal body diameter) × 100) 156 (144-191), GS% ((gubernaculum length divided by spicule length) × 100) 58 (48-65) and variations in the number of bursal papillae of the terminal group: 8th and 9th papillae sometimes absent on both sides, sometimes eight papillae present on the right side whereas six papillae present on the left side. On the right side the arrangement of papillae is 1 + 2 + 3 + 2 whereas on the left side it is 1 + 2 + 3. The hermaphrodite has a prominent post-anal swelling and a conoid tail 82 μm (64-95 μm) long with a pointed terminus. Hermaphrodites of H. pakistanense n. sp. can be distinguished from all species of Heterorhabditis except H. downesi by having a mucronate tail. Infective juveniles have a medium-sized body (581 μm (558-624 μm)), long pharynx (117 μm (113-125 μm)), ensheathed tail (99 μm (95-110 μm)) and E% ((distance from anterior end to excretory pore divided by tail length) × 100) 100 (95-107). The new species can be distinguished from all species of Heterorhabditis by the absence of the 7th, 8th and 9th bursal papillae. Heterorhabditis pakistanense is further characterized by the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the D2D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene. The closest species H. indica, H. gerrardi, H. amazonensis and H. noenieputensis being separated by 9, 7, 66 and 15 bp, respectively, in the ITS region. Molecular phylogenetic trees based on sequences of ITS rDNA, D2D3 regions and the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene support the description of H. pakistanense as a new species.

Taxonomy of the genus Tantunema Siddiqi, 1982 (Dorylaimida: Tylencholaimidae) with description of one new and two known species

ABSTRACTOne new and two known species of the genus Tantunema Siddiqi, 1982 are described and illustrated. Tantunema indicum sp. nov. is characterized by having a small body (length 0.32–0.45 mm); lip region cap-like, set off by slight constriction; odontostyle 6–7 µm and odontophore 8–10 µm long; pharyngeal expansion gradual, expanded part occupying about 35–41% of total neck length, lumen of posterior expanded part widened and thickened; female genital system mono-opisthodelphic, anterior genital branch absent; tail short, hemispheroid, 0.8–1.1 anal body diameter long. Tantunema pakistanense (Timm, 1964) comb. nov. (=Tylencholaimus pakistanensis Timm, 1964) and Tantunema intermedium (Peña-Santiago and Coomans, 1996) Andrássy, 2009 are redescribed. A diagnostic compendium and key to species of the genus is also provided.

Four new species of Epacanthion Wieser, 1953 (Nematoda: Thoracostomopsidae) in intertidal sediments of the Nanji Islands from the East China Sea.

Four new species of Epacanthion are described from intertidal sandy sediments in the Nanji Islands National Marine Natural Reserve from the East China Sea. Males of all four new species have short spicules (< 2 anal body diameter) and a characteristic cervical circle of distinctly short and densely arranged setae at the pharyngeal region: Epacanthion hirsutum sp. nov. with a cervical circle of a single row of setae posterior to the nerve ring; E. longicaudatum sp. nov. with a cervical circle of 16 bundles each composed of six setae in two longitudinal rows posterior to the nerve ring; E. fasciculatum sp. nov. with a cervical circle of 18 bundles each composed of about 10 setae posterior to the nerve ring; and E. sparsisetae sp. nov. with a cervical circle of eight bundles each composed of about 10 setae anterior to the nerve ring. Among the known species of Epacanthion, only two species possess these features: E. quadridisci and E. gorgonocephalum. Epacanthion quadridiscus has six bundles of setae situated at the same level of the nerve ring, while E. gorgonocephalum has distinctly dense setae forming a wide band at the pharyngeal region. Epacanthion hirsutum sp. nov. differs from all congeners by the cervical circle composed of a single row of setae. Epacanthion sparsisetae sp. nov. is unique in having the cervical circle of bundles anterior to the nerve ring. Epacanthion longicaudatum sp. nov. differs from E. fasciculatum sp. nov. by the body size and the structure of the cervical circle. An updated diagnostic key to 28 valid species of Epacanthion is proposed.

One new genus and three new species of deep-sea nematodes(Nematoda: Microlaimidae) from the Southwest Pacific Ocean and Ross Sea.

New deep-sea nematodes of the family Microlaimidae are described from the Southwest Pacific Ocean and Ross Sea. Microlaimus korari n. sp. is characterised by annulated cuticle with longitudinal bars, round amphideal aperture slightly smaller than the cryptospiral amphideal fovea, spacious and heavily cuticularised buccal cavity with large dorsal tooth and right subventral tooth situated anteriorly relative to left subventral tooth, slender spicules 4.4 cloacal body diameters long, and gubernaculum 1.2 cloacal body diameters long with laterally curved distal end and swollen proximal end. Bolbolaimus tongaensis n. sp. is characterised by annulated cuticle with longitudinal bars, oval amphideal aperture and cryptocircular amphideal fovea situated between cephalic setae and only partially surrounded by cuticle annulations, and short spicules cuticularised along dorsal edge and at proximal end and with swollen portion near proximal end. Maragnopsia n. gen. is characterised by a minute, non-cuticularised mouth cavity without teeth, an elongated posterior pharyngeal bulb more than twice as long as it is wide, a single outstretched testis, and a conico-cylindrical tail 13-16 anal body diameters long. A list of all 83 valid Microlaimus species is provided. The present study provides the first microlaimid species records from deep-sea habitats (> 200 m depth) in the Southwest Pacific and Ross Sea. The presence of M. korari n. sp. on both the continental slope of New Zealand and Ross Sea abyssal plain suggests that this species has a wide geographical and depth distribution. However, molecular analyses will be required to confirm the identity of these two geographically disparate populations.

Description and molecular characterisation of two new species of Dorylaimidae (Dorylaimida: Nematoda) from Iran, with a compendium of all the nominal species of Dorylaimus Dujardin, 1845

Two new species of Dorylaimidae from Iran are described using morphology and molecular data.Dorylaimus eleganssp. n. is characterised by 4.41-5.92 mm body length, lip region truncate, distinct from adjoining body by a depression, cuticle with 50-55 longitudinal ridges, odontostyle 42-51 μm long, thicker than cuticle at its level, didelphic female reproductive apparatus, vulva a small sub-equatorial pore, a variable number of advulval papillae (0-6), both pre- and post-vulval, present in most specimens, female tail elongate, 5.6-7.6 anal body diam. long, with ventrally hooked terminus. Male with 26-30 ventromedian supplements arranged very close to each other, copulatory hump weakly developed, and a convex-conoid tail with blunt terminus.Prodorylaimus reyesisp. n. is characterised by 2.78-3.33 mm body length, lip region slightly angular and well set off from adjoining body by a depression, odontostyle 26-31 μm long, thicker than cuticle at its level, didelphic female reproductive apparatus, vulva longitudinal, a variable number of advulval papillae (0-3), both pre- and post-vulval, present in most specimens, tail in both sexes convex-conoid in its anterior part, then narrowing abruptly to a filiform hyaline appendix, longer in female (c′ = 11.7-15.5) than in male (c′ = 7-7.7), and 19-21 contiguous ventromedian supplements. A compendium of the main morphometric characters ofDorylaimusand a key to species are also provided.

Description of new species of Phanodermopsis (Enoplida, Phanodermatidae) with key to genera of family Phanodermatidae and pictorial key to Phanodermopsis species.

A new representative of the family Phanodermatidae, Phanodermopsis nana sp. n., is described. The new species is found in the Sea of Japan and characterized by its small body size, long anterior sensilla and short tail. The new species differs from P. ingrami in body length (~ 7000 µm in P. ingrami vs ~ 3000 µm in P. nana sp. n.). The De Man's ratios (a, b, c) are smaller in P. nana sp. n. and the outer labial setae are longer (1 corresponding body diameter) than in P. ingrami (1/2 corresponding body diameter). The vulva is more posterior in P. ingrami (V% = 58-61%) than in P. nana sp. n. (V% = 51-58%). A dichotomous key to the 9 valid genera of Phanodermatidae and a pictorial key to species of Phanodermopsis are provided. The length of the spicules is proposed as the main differentiating feature for distinguishing Phanodermopsis and Crenopharynx species. Phanodermopsis longisetae Chitwood, 1936 which has extremely long spicules (5.2 anal body diameters) is transferred to the genus Crenopharynx.

Two new species of Lauratonema (Nematoda: Lauratonematidae) from the intertidal zone of the East China Sea

Two new species of free-living marine nematodes of the genus Lauratonema Gerlach, 1953 from an intertidal sandy beach of the East China Sea are described and illustrated. Lauratonema macrostoma sp. nov. is characterized by a spacious buccal cavity, depth 2.1–2.3 times width; cup-shaped amphids; small blade-like spicules (14–16 µm long, 0.55–0.65 anal or cloacal body diameter [a.b.d.]) and unequal length of outer labial setae and cephalic setae (13–17 µm and 9–12 µm respectively). Lauratonema dongshanense sp. nov. can be distinguished by the small buccal cavity with a strong cuticularized transverse strip structure; cup-shaped amphids; small blade-like spicules (14–15 µm long, 0.58–0.67 a.b.d.), unequal length of outer labial setae and cephalic setae (8–10 µm and 5–7 µm respectively); the presence of a small precloacal papilla. A dichotomous key for the genus Lauratonema is given.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B5BA6C15-E72A-4C62-97B4-1823E71A9355

Latronema whataitai sp. n. (Nematoda: Selachinematidae) from intertidal sediments of New Zealand, with notes on relationships within the family based on preliminary 18S and D2-D3 phylogenetic analyses

Latronema whataitaisp. n. is described from intertidal sediments of Hataitai Beach, North Island of New Zealand, and its placement within the Selachinematidae investigated using 18S and D2-D3 molecular sequences.Latronema whataitaisp. n. is characterised by relatively slender body (a = 22-25), outer labial setae and cephalic setae of similar length, anterior buccal cavity with three sets of seven teeth with larger central tooth positioned above the other six, circular amphid with faint outline, males with 12-13 precloacal supplements and spicules with pointed projection near distal end, and tail 2.0-2.6 anal body diam. long. The cuticle ultrastructure of the genus is investigated for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. Molecular phylogenies of near full length small subunit and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA genes do not provide support for the division of Selachinematidae into the subfamilies Selachinematinae and Choniolaiminae, and do not support a close relationship betweenLatronemaandRichtersiadespite some morphological similarities. These preliminary results are based on a small number of molecular sequences, and therefore the current morphology-based classification remains the most tractable system for the Selachinematidae until more comprehensive analyses are conducted.

The new species Daptonema pumilus sp. nov. (Nematoda: Monhysterida) in Vietnam

During 2003 year, the faunal free-living aquatic nematodes of the Cam estuary, Haiphong city and the Thivai river, Cangio mangrove, Hochiminh city had been investigated. Below, the description of one new nematode species to science Daptonema pumilus sp. nov. (Monhysterida) is given. Female: The new nematode species is a small and slender worm. Cuticle thin, transverse striation shallow, hardly visible. Somatic setae and crystalloid bodies absent. Stoma funnel-shaped, not cuticularized. Amphid fovea circular, 3.0-3.5 mm in diameter, its anterior margin situated at 1.4-1.6 labial region width from anterior body end. Oesophagus slender and muscular, swollen proximally. Cardia triangular, projecting into intestinal lumen. Rectum slightly shorter than anal body diameter. Reproductive system mono-prodelphic, ovary comparatively short, situated on the left side of intestine. Oogonia arranged in one or two rows. Oviduct short and inconspicuous. Vagina oblique, shorter than corresponding body diameter. Vulva situated on the posterior part to middle part of body. Posterior uterus sack absent. Tail long, gradually narrowing, usually curved dorsally. Two terminal setae 1.0-2.0 mm long on the tail terminal. Three caudal glands arranged in tandem, spinneret oblique. Male: Similar to female in general morphology, but somewhat shorter. Reproductive system mono-orchid. Spicules length as long as cloacal body diameter. Gubernaculum with dorsal appendix. Tail slender, gradually narrowing and curved dorsally; caudal glands three, tandem, spinneret conspicuous. This new species closes to Daptonema nanus, Lorenzen, 1971, but differs in having more front location of amphidial fovea, more back location of vulva (in D. nanus V = 58% vs V = 60.7-68.7% in D. pumilus) and presence of terminal setae at the tail (in D. nanus without terminal setae).

Two new nematodes, Pseudelzalia longiseta gen. nov., sp. nov. and Paramonohystera sinica sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae), from sediment in the East China Sea

Pseudelzalia longiseta gen. nov, sp. nov. and Paramonohystera sinica sp. nov. from subtidal sediment in the East China Sea are described. Pseudelzalia is characterized by 6 labial papillae and 10 cephalic setae, cylindrical buccal cavity, elongate (>2 anal body diameter) spicules, and conico-cylindrical tail devoid of terminal setae. It differs from Elzalia by the absence of terminal setae. Pseudelzalia longiseta sp. nov. is 647–853 μm long, has 7–8 μm long cervical setae, 11–14 μm long caudal setae, 25–41 μm long spicules about 2.1–2.7 anal diameter, and pointed tail-tip. Paramonohystera sinica possesses 12 cephalic setae, a character found in four congeners: Paramonohystera buetschlii (Bresslau and Schuurmans Stekhoven in Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1935, Paramonohystera pilosa Boucher, 1971, Paramonohystera concinna Lorenzen, 1977 and Paramonohystera halerba Fadeeva and Belogurov, 1987. It differs from P. buetschlii by shorter body (933–1023 μm versus 2000–2200 μm); from P. pilosa by the much shorter spicules (79–88 μm versus 167 μm) and narrower head (13–16 µm versus 32 µm); from P.concinna by smooth cephalic setae (versus segmented); and from P. halerba by the absence of two rows of setae on the ventral side of the tail (versus present). Based on the evaluation of nominal species, we recognize 14 valid species and provide an emended diagnosis and a tabular key for Paramonohystera.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:474B8F17-AED7-4078-8176-DFC499B78526

A new species ofParacomesoma(Comesomatidae) from Maldives (Indian Ocean) with an emended diagnosis and an updated key of the genus

A new species from the subfamily Comesomatinae is described from the back-reef platforms of the central part of the Maldivian archipelago.Paracomesoma susannaesp. nov. is characterized by a large-sized body, very long cephalic sensilla (72–91 µm long), lateral differentiation of punctuations, and, in the males, 19–22 minute precloacal supplements, relatively short spicules (2.3–2.9 anal body diameter) and a hook-like structure in the distal end of the gubernaculum.Paracomesoma susannaesp. nov. is the only species so far described of the genus which appears to have such a low ratio of the outer labial and cephalic sensilla (about 0.02). An emended diagnosis ofP. paralongispiculumis proposed, along with an updated and modified key to all the valid species of the genusParacomesoma.

One new and two known species of Aporcelinus Andrássy, 2009 and a new species of Coomansinema Ahmad & Jairajpuri, 1989 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida)

Coomansinema istvani sp. n. is described from Ecuador, and is characterised by its relatively small size (L = 0.95-1.51 mm), lip region almost continuous with body profile with partly amalgamated lips, odontostyle slightly sinuate, with wide lumen, 20-27 μm long, female reproductive apparatus didelphic, vulva transverse, pre-rectum very short, mainly in female, 8-9 weakly developed, spaced, ventral pre-cloacal supplements, tail short (c′ = 0.6-1.0), tail convex-conoid in male and cupola-shaped, with a short finger-like process dorsally oriented in female. An updated list of the species of Coomansinema and a key to their identification is also provided. In addition, one new and two known species of Aporcelinus are reported. Aporcelinus altitudinalis and A. seychellensis are described on the basis of more numerous specimens and the male of A. seychellensis is described for the first time; it is similar to the female in general morphology and is characterised by a series of 7-9 spaced ventromedian supplements in addition to the cloacal pair with two supplements in the range of the spicules. Aporcelinus reyesi sp. n. is characterised by a 1.69-1.92 mm long body, lip region truncate, set off by a constriction, lips distinct with prominent papillae, odontostyle straight, with wide lumen, 29-36 μm long, female genital system didelphic-amphidelphic, uterus tripartite, containing up to five small eggs, vulva transverse, 13 male supplements, the last three in the range of the spicules. Tail 1.0-1.5 anal body diam. long, conical with acute tip, ventrally slightly convex, dorsally first convex and then concave, often appearing bent dorsad.

Zeatylenchus pittosporum gen. n., sp. n. (Tylenchida: Anguinata), from leaves of Pittosporum tenuifolium (Pittosporaceae) in New Zealand

A new genus and species of anguinid nematode, Zeatylenchus pittosporum gen. n., sp. n., was recovered from leaves of Pittosporum tenuifolium from Hahei, Coromandel Region, North Island, New Zealand. The genus is characterised by having slender males and females, excretory pore opening near the lips and level with the knobs of the retracted stylet, pharynx with a weak non-muscular median bulb, pharyngeal glands overlapping the intestine, females with a single gonad with a quadricolumella and post-uterine sac; and males with slender arcuate spicules and the bursa arising <1 anal body diam. anterior to the cloacal aperture and extending ca 30% of distance to the tail tip. Its feeding does not induce galls, only foliar chlorosis. The species has particular characters, including a short, robust stylet with conus forming ca 40% of stylet length and small rounded compact knobs, and tail offset dorsally with a pointed tip. Molecular phylogeny of near full length small subunit, D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit and internal transcribed spacer rRNA genes support the description of Zeatylenchus pittosporum gen. n., sp. n. as a new genus and species.

The genus Paradorylaimus Andrássy, 1969 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida) with description of three new species from Ecuador

Three new species of Paradorylaimus Andrássy, 1969, found in moss and litter of natural environments of Ecuador aredescribed. P. andinus sp. n. is characterized by 1.65–2.26 mm long female body, lip region set off by a depression, odontostyle26.5–32. 5 μm long and 3.0–4.5 µm wide; pre-rectum 1.1–2.4 anal body diameters long in female and 1.2–2.3 in male; 0–3 pre-vulval and 0–5 postvulval papillae; spicules 60–80 µm long; 13–14 ventral supplements; female tail elongate-filiform, 6–10anal body diameters long; male tail short, 0.7–1 cloacal body diameters long, dorsally convex, with a marked ventral concavityand blunt terminus. P. longicaudatus sp. n. is characterized by 1.78–2.14 mm long female body, lip region slightly set off by adepression, odontostyle 30–32.5 μm long and 2.0–3.5 µm wide; pre-rectum 1.3–2.3 anal body diameters long in female and 2–3.5 in male; paravulval papillae absent; spicules 44.5–62.5 µm long; 11–13 ventral supplements; female tail elongate-filiform,11–16 anal body diameters long; male tail short, 0.8–0.9 cloacal body diameters long, convex conoid, with blunt terminus. P.flagellicaudatus sp. n. is characterized by 1.65–1.73 mm long female body, lip region continuous, odontostyle 19–24 μm longand 2–2.5 µm wide; pre-rectum 1.8–2.6 anal body diameters long in female and 2.4 in male; spicules 45 µm long; 10 ventralsupplements; female tail elongate-filiform, 25–26 anal body diameters long; male tail short, conoid, 0.8 cloacal body diameterslong. The authors support the validity of the genus Paradorylaimus, provide an updated diagnosis and furnish a compendium of the main morphometric parameters of its species and a key to them.

Description of Ruehmaphelenchus digitulus sp. n. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) found in packaging wood from Taiwan

Ruehmaphelenchus digitulus sp. n., isolated from coniferous packaging wood from Taiwan, is described and figured. The new species is characterised by a relatively stout body with a = 28.0 (23.7-31.3) and 27.0 (22.9-32.7) for male and female, respectively, three lines in the lateral field, spicules relatively small (chord = 17.0-19.2 μm; arc = 13.8-16.6 μm) with weakly developed condylus and rostrum, bursa absent, vulva positioned at ca 80% of body length, vulva flap absent, vulval lips slightly protruding, post-uterine branch extending slightly over half of vulva to anus distance, and tail conoid, ca 2-3 anal body diam. long, with terminal process 7-10 μm long. The new species is the fourth known for the genus. It can be distinguished from R. martinii, R. asiaticus and R. thailandae mainly by the different shape and size of the spicules and the different shape and length of the female tail terminus. The separate species status is also supported by ITS-RFLP pattern and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial SSU ITS1/2 and partial LSU sequences.

Two new free-living marine nematode species of Xyalidae (Monhysterida) from the Yellow Sea, China

Two new species of free-living marine nematodes Paramonohystera eurycephalus sp. nov. and Steineria sinica sp. nov. from the Yellow Sea, China are described. Paramonohystera eurycephalus sp. nov. is characterized by relatively wide head diameter (33 μm in width), large cup-shaped buccal cavity; presence of numerous long cervical setae; amphidial fovea 18–20 μm in diameter; spicules slender, arcuate, 3.1–3.2 anal body diameter; gubernaculum tubular with a distal hook; five to six minute precloacal supplements. Steineria sinica sp. nov. is characterized by eight groups of three subcephalic setae at almost same level as cephalic setae; eight groups of two long cervical setae situated between subcephalic setae and amphidial fovea; amphidial fovea round, 35% of corresponding body diameter, about one head diameter from anterior end; spicules slender, cephalate proximally and taper distally; gubernaculum pipe-shaped with dorsocaudal apophysis; tail conico-cylindrical with three long terminal setae.

Two unusually slender nematode species of Trischistoma Cobb, 1913 (Enoplida: Tripylidae)

AbstractTwo new species of Trischistoma are described from Chile and differ from their relatives, and also from the majority of free-living continental nematodes, by their long and exceedingly slender body. Trischistoma tenuissimum sp. n. is characterised by a 4.0-4.2 mm long body, a = 94-112, presence of long post-vulval uterine sac, female tail 7.6 anal body diam. long, three weak precloacal papillae and 60 μm long spicules. Trischistoma subtilissimum sp. n. is 2.9-3.5 mm long with a = 123-146, has a very long post-vulval uterine sac, a female tail 12-14 anal body diam. long, 2-3 weak precloacal papillae and 38-40 μm long spicules.

Litylenchus coprosma gen. n., sp. n. (Tylenchida: Anguinata), from leaves of Coprosma repens (Rubiaceae) in New Zealand

AbstractA new genus and species of anguinid nematode, Litylenchus coprosma gen. n., sp. n., was recovered from leaves of Coprosma repens A. Rich. from an amenity planting in Wellington, New Zealand. The genus is characterised by having slender males and slender or semi-obese females, pharynx with a weak non-muscular median bulb, a terminal bulb containing the pharyngeal glands, female with a single gonad having a quadricolumella and post-uterine sac; male with arcuate spicules and the bursa arising 1-2 anal body diam. anterior to the cloacal aperture and extending nearly to the tail tip, and does not induce galls, only foliar chlorosis. The species is characterised by having a short, robust stylet with conus forming ca 40% of stylet length and three well developed rounded knobs, secretory/excretory pore opening posterior to the nerve ring, terminal bulb abutting the intestine, and tail tip of variable form. Molecular phylogeny of near full length small subunit, D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit and internal transcribed spacer rRNA genes support the description of L. coprosma gen. n., sp. n. as a new genus and species.

Mononchoides composticola n. sp. (Nematoda: Diplogastridae) associated with composting processes: morphological, molecular and autecological characterisation

Mononchoides composticola n. sp. was isolated from compost and is described based on light and scanning electron microscopy, supplemented with SSU rDNA sequence data. It is characterised by the following features: a denticulate ridge in addition to the dorsal claw-like tooth, a small tooth-like swelling at the stegostom base, ca 26 longitudinal ridges on the female body, a uterine sac associated with two dumb-bell-shaped pouches, relatively small spicules (30-38 µm long), a simple gubernaculum shorter than half the spicule length, the genital subventral papillae (v6) consisting of three very small papillae, and a long filiform tail (female: 391-550 µm, 18-26 anal body diam.; male: 304-548 µm, 19-30 anal body diam.). Phylogenetic analyses placed the new species together with M. striatus, sister to Tylopharynx foetida. Since the use of nematodes as functional indicators often relies on the allocation of nematodes to feeding groups, experiments were performed to elucidate the feeding strategy of the new species. Both its ability to move actively to bacterial food sources and to prey on other compost nematodes were tested. Mononchoides composticola n. sp. actively moved towards the compost bacterium Achromobacter, a taxis that was temperature dependent, and also preyed on other nematodes. Predation was selective, with a higher predation rate on the relatively small and slow-moving Rhabditella sp. than on the considerably larger and more motile Rhabditis (Poikilolaimus) sp. Adults of M. composticola n. sp. have a dual feeding behaviour and can apparently alternate between bacterial and nematode prey

Description of Ruehmaphelenchus thailandae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) found in dunnage from Thailand

AbstractRuehmaphelenchus thailandae n. sp., isolated from deciduous dunnage from Thailand, is described and figured. The new species is characterised by the relatively stout body (a = 28.6 and 27.6 for males and females, respectively), three lines in the lateral field, spicules relatively small (12.0-13.3 μm) with weakly developed condylus and rostrum, bursa absent, vulva located at 79.5% of body length, vulval lips slightly swollen, length of post-uterine branch more than half of vulva to anus distance, female tail conoid, ca two anal body diam. long and with a broad terminal process up to 12 μm long. The new species is the third known for the genus. It can be distinguished from R. martinii and R. asiaticus mainly by the different shape and size of its spicules and different shape of the female tail terminus. The separate species status is also supported by ITS-RFLP pattern. Additional measurements of paratype R. asiaticus are appended.