Arrangement Of Papillae Research Articles

Angiostoma margaretae n. sp (Nematoda: Angiostomatidae), a parasite of the milacid slug Milax gagates Draparnaud collected near Caledon, South Africa

Angiostoma margaretae n. sp. (Angiostomatidae) is described from the oesophagus of the slug Milax gagates Draparnaud collected near Caledon in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The new species closely resembles another parasite of a milacid slug, A. milacis Ivanova & Wilson, 2009, with a similar head, stoma and spicule shape, the presence of distally outstretched ovaries, coiled oviducts, the same number of caudal papillae and enlarged rectal glands. However, A. margaretae differs from the latter by having: a shorter, wider tail with a rounded vs pointed tip; the distal parts of both ovaries with a particular hook-like shape due to an expansion closely following the short initial zone; ovoviparous females; and a different arrangement of male papillae. A. margaretae is comparable with A. limacis Dujardin, 1845, A. asamati (Spiridonov, 1985), A. coloaense (Pham Van Luc, Spiridonov & Wilson, 2005) and A. stammeri (Mengert, 1953), which have a similar stoma shape and size, but can be readily differentiated by the presence of distally outstretched vs reflexed ovaries and the presence vs lack of enlarged rectal glands. The new species has a similar arrangement of the ovaries to A. kimmeriense Korol & Spiridonov, 1991 and A. zonitidis Ivanova & Wilson, 2009, but is clearly differentiated by the lack of an off-set lip region and presence of a large bowl-shaped vs tubular stoma and less numerous male caudal papillae (seven pairs vs nine in A. kimmeriense and 10 in A. zonitidis).

Proposal of new specific status for tea-infesting populations of the nominal citrus spiny whitefly Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

The citrus spiny whitefly Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) is a pest of citrus plants that is native to South-East Asia. Although serious outbreaks of the tea-infesting whitefly in China, Taiwan and Japan have been attributed to this species over the last 20 years, recent research has shown different host preferences between the two whiteflies. Hence, the two pests have tentatively been differentiated as tea-infesting and citrus-infesting populations. We further compared morphological, acoustic and genomic features between the two populations in Japan. Morphological differences were recognised in the arrangement of spines, porettes and papillae on the dorsal disc and number of marginal crenulations and marginal waxy fringe of 4 th -instar nymphs, as well as wing maculation and genitalic organs of adults. In courtship behaviour, the acoustic properties of male vibratory signals also differed between the two. Furthermore, genetic analysis of mtCOI sequences (759 bp) showed that the tea-infesting population was clearly distinct from the citrus-infesting group, with high bootstrap values. The mtCOI sequence identities were 76.2% between the two populations. Genetic differentiation between the two populations was shown by the high value (0.99650) of pairwise Fst, indicating the sexual isolation of the two populations. Consequently, these two populations are regarded as different representatives, consisting of a sibling relationship, but clearly distinguished from each other as independent genomic populations. Here, we describe the tea-infesting population and propose a new scientific name, Aleurocanthus camelliae Kanmiya & Kasai sp. nov., and a new common name, camellia spiny whitefly, thus distinguishing it from A. spiniferus (Quaintance), the citrus spiny whitefly that constitutes the citrus-infesting population.

New Species of Aplectana (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) in Sphenomorphus pratti from Papua New Guinea

Aplectana novaeguineae n. sp. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) from the intestines of Sphenomorphus pratti (Squamata: Scincidae) is described and illustrated. Aplectana novaeguineae n. sp. represents the 48th species assigned to the genus and the 5th species of the genus reported from the Australo-Papuan region. It is most similar to Aplectana leesi, Aplectana linstowi , and Aplectana krausi in that females of only these 4 species exhibit a swollen anterior vulvar lip. These 4 species may be separated by spicule length and caudal papillae arrangement. Spicules of A. linstowi and A. krausi are less than 200 µm in length, A. leesi between 200 and 250 µm, and A novaeguineae greater than 400 µm. Aplectana linstowi possesses 18 post cloacal papillae, A. leesi and A. krausi each possess 10, and A. novaeguineae possesses 8. In addition, Paraleptonema ranae has been assigned to Aplectana as Aplectana fujianae nom. nov.

Thelastomatid Nematodes (Oxyurida: Thelastomatoidea) from the Peppered Cockroach, Archimandrita tesselata (Insecta: Blattaria) in Costa Rica

Abstract Six species of thelastomatid nematodes belonging to 6 different genera were collected from the peppered cockroach Archimandrita tesselata Rehn, 1903, at the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica, from 2003 to 2006. We describe Aoruroides costaricensis n. sp. This species differs from the other described members of the genus in female cephalic morphology and male papillae arrangement as well as having different morphological dimensions including a shorter female esophagus than that of Aoruroides philippinensis (Chitwood and Chitwood, 1933) and Aoruroides queenslandensis Jex, Cribb, and Schneider, 2004, longer esophageal corpus and isthmus than in Aoruroides legionarius Kloss, 1966, and a much shorter male tail than that of A. legionarius Kloss, 1966. The 5 additional species recovered included Buzionema validum, Protrelleta floridana, Cranifera cranifera, Hammerschmidtiella diesingi, and an unidentified species from the family Thelastomatidae. These species are redescribed using light and sc...

Morphology and Taxonomic Status of Two Little-Known Nematode Species Parasitizing North American Fishes

Examination of some freshwater and brackishwater (estuarine) fishes in South Carolina in October 2009 yielded, in addition to other parasites, 2 little-known nematode species identified as Dichelyne fastigatus Chandler, 1935 (Cucullanidae), from the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus), from an estuary, and Rhabdochona ovifilamenta Weller, 1938 (Rhabdochonidae), from the shorthead redhorse, Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Lesueur), from Lake Moultrie. Light and scanning electron microscopy (the latter used for the first time for these species) made it possible to describe several important, but previously unreported, taxonomic features in D. fastigatus, such as the location of the excretory pore and deirids, the shape of deirids and a gubernaculum, the shape and size of eggs, the presence of precloacal ventral oblique muscle bands, and 11 pairs of caudal papillae and a pair of phasmids. It distinctly differs from the most similar Dichelyne cotylophora (Ward and Magath, 1917), a parasite of North American freshwater percids, in the number and arrangement of postanal papillae and by a markedly elevated cloacal region. Records of Dichelyne lintoni Barreto, 1922, from S. ocellatus probably concern D. fastigatus. Examination of R. ovifilamenta revealed a high degree of morphologic and biometric variability in this species. Based on our analysis, Rhabdochona laurentiana Lyster, 1940 , Rhabdochona milleri Choquette, 1951, and Rhabdochona catostomi Kayton, Kritsky, and Tobias, 1979, are synonymized with R. ovifilamenta Weller, 1938, typically a parasite of North American catostomids.

A new gonad-infecting species of Philometra (Nematoda: Philometridae) from the red cusk-eel Genypterus chilensis (Osteichthyes: Ophidiidae) off Chile

A new nematode species, Philometra genypteri sp. n. (Philometridae), is described from male and female specimens found in the ovary of red cusk-eel, Genypterus chilensis (Guichenot) (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes), from the eastern South Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern Chile. Based on light and scanning electron microscopy examination, the new species differs from most other gonad-infecting Philometra spp. in the length of spicules (126-135μm), a gubernaculum with dorsal lamella-like structures on its distal end, and the number and arrangement of genital papillae in the male. From a few congeneric, gonad-infecting species with unknown males, it can be distinguished by some morphological and biometrical features found in gravid female (absence of caudal projections, length of first-stage larvae or oesophagus, moderately developed anterior oesophageal inflation) and by the host type (fish family) and geographical distribution. P. genypteri is the first philometrid species reported from a fish belonging to the order Ophidiiformes and the second nominal species of Philometra recorded from marine fishes of the eastern South Pacific.

Larval Development and Synapomorphies for Species Groups of Hyloscirtus Peters, 1882 (Anura: Hylidae: Cophomantini)

Abstract The morphology of the larval oral disc, nostril, skin, and vent tube of tadpoles of Andean stream dwelling Hyloscirtus (Hylidae: Hylinae: Cophomantini) was studied. A wide variation of larval tooth row number is compiled from literature and from observations of Colombian specimens in museums. The marginal papillae are precursors of the tooth rows. The submarginal papillae are organized parallel to the anterior tooth rows and are precursors of the flaps or accessory tooth rows. There is no particular tooth row formula, and no particular marginal papillae arrangement for a species or a recognized species group in the genus. The number of tooth rows and of accessory tooth rows increase with development and size of the tadpole. Two species groups are identified inside Hyloscirtus based on the tooth row formulae, upper jaw sheath morphology, and shape of the nostril of tadpoles. The two groups identified here are different from the three species groups currently recognized for the genus and show well-...

New species of Rhabdias (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from Afrotropical anurans, including molecular evidence and notes on biology

Despite the small sample size the diversity of Rhabdias Stiles et Hassall, 1905 from anurans in the Afrotropical region was found to be high. Four species were collected from four localities, one in South Africa, two on Cameroonese mountains and one in Madagascar: Rhabdias picardiae sp. n. from the bufonid Amietophrynus gutturalis (Power); Rhabdias ohlerae sp. n. and Rhabdias tanyai sp. n. from the arthroleptids Leptopelis brevirostris (Werner) and Astylosternus rheophilus Amiet, respectively; and Rhabdias vencesi sp. n. from the mantellid Boophis madagascariensis (Peters). Distinctive characters between these species are numerous and obvious, based on body size, shape and size of the buccal capsule, arrangement of head papillae, and shape and size of the oesophagus and intestinal apex. Molecular data based on 500 bp of 12S rDNA and 600 bp of coxl of three of the four species are presented. Rhabdias vencesi resembles Rhabdias madagascariensis Chabaud, Brygoo et Petter, 1961 from an African ptychadenid introduced on Madagascar, but differs in body size and head morphology. The remaining new species are clearly distinct from those previously known from Afrotropical anurans. Outside the Afrotropics, some Rhabdias species present characters similar to those observed in the new species, but they all differ in various other characters. No clear correlation was seen between Rhabdias species and families of anuran hosts in this region. However, the narrow buccal capsule seen in Rhabdias species from Afrotropical lissamphibians opposes them to the majority of Rhabdias parasitic in chamaeleonids. Furthermore, the infective larva of R. vencesi has a conical pointed tail, while those of Rhabdias from chameleons have a rounded tail tip ornated with a few buds.

Oscheius carolinensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a potential entomopathogenic nematode from vermicompost

AbstractOscheius carolinensis n. sp. (Rhabditidae) was recovered through the Galleria bait method from vermicompost produced in Raleigh, NC, USA. Morphological studies with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, as well as molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rDNA gene (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rDNA gene (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS), revealed this as a new species, described herein as Oscheius carolinensis n. sp. The new species is characterised by a combination of characters including its unique DNA sequences, amphimictic reproduction, six separate lips with bristle-like sensilla, lateral field with four lines, leptoderan and open male bursa, arrangement of bursal papillae 1 + 1 + 1/3 + 3 + ph, evenly spaced first, second and third papillae, and separate spicules that are distally shaped like a crochet needle. Oscheius carolinensis n. sp. belongs to the Insectivorus-group and is closest to O. colombianus, O. chongmingensis n. comb., O. insectivorus and O. lucianii. A Bacillus-like bacterium appears to be associated with this nematode, based on our microscopic and SEM observations. Exposed Galleria larvae were killed within 5 days and numerous nematodes were recovered from the cadavers within 48 h. Preliminary tests revealed that this nematode is capable of infecting at least two other insect species (Pieris rapae and Tenebrio molitor) under laboratory conditions and therefore has potential as a biological control agent. The status of Heterorhabditidoides chongmingensis is discussed, the genus is proposed as a junior synonym of Oscheius, and O. chongmingensis n. comb. is proposed.

Redescription of two Panamanian nematodes, Parasitodiplogaster citrinema Poinar & Herre, 1991 and P. popenema Poinar & Herre, 1991 (Nematoda: Diplogastrina)

AbstractParasitodiplogaster citrinema and P. popenema were re-isolated from syconia of Ficus citrifolia and F. popenoei, respectively, from Barro Colorado Island, Panama, and are redescribed and figured herein. Both of these species were previously described as having a “well-developed stoma” and in the case of P. popenema with “stoma slightly longer than wide”. Re-examination of fresh material revealed that they share characteristic stomatal morphology, i.e., relatively wide and tube-like stomas with newly observed thorn-like stegostomatal teeth. This is distinctive from the other described Parasitodiplogaster species, which either have a relatively short and narrow stoma with protuberant, claw-like, teeth or a simple cylinder. In addition to the characters of the male papillae arrangement and spicule and gubernaculum morphology, these two species are distinguished from each other by newly-observed lip morphology characters, viz., P. citrinema has three small setae on the outer surface of each lip sector whereas P. popenema has smooth lips. Both P. citrinema and P. popenema appear typologically closest to P. sycophilon, which has a relatively wide and open stoma and seven pairs of male genital papillae, but were distinguished from P. sycophilon by the presence of stegostomatal teeth and the arrangement of the genital papillae.

New Species of Pseudabbreviata (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) and Other Helminths in Two Species of Hypsilurus (Sauria: Agamidae) from Papua New Guinea

Pseudabbreviata novaeguineaensis n. sp. from the stomach of Hypsilurus modestus (Agamidae) from Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated. The new species was also found in the stomach of Hypsilurus papuensis from Papua New Guinea. Pseudabbreviata novaeguineaensis n. sp. represents the sixth species assigned to the genus and the first from the Australo-Papuan Region. The new species differs from other species assigned to Pseudabbreviata by the vulva position in the female and pedunculate papillae arrangement in the male tail morphology. In addition to the new species, H. modestus harbored Meteterakis crombiei, Strongyluris gonyocephali, and larvae of Abbreviata sp. (in cysts).

Mexiconema africanum sp. n. (Nematoda: Daniconematidae) from the catfish Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Lake Turkana, Kenya

A new species of dracunculoid nematode, Mexiconema africanum sp. n. (Daniconematidae), is described from the abdominal cavity and the intestine (rarely also the gall bladder) of the catfish Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes) (Claroteidae, Siluriformes) from Lake Turkana, Kenya. The new species differs from two other congeners mainly in the absence of two large cell nuclei in the glandular oesophagus, presence of well-developed lateral cephalic elevations, more numerous (14) cephalic papillae and a much longer body of the gravid female (18-22 mm); from Mexiconema cichlasomae Moravec, Vidal and Salgado Maldonado, 1992 also in less numerous (two) caudal processes and a different arrangement of genital papillae in the male. M. africanum is the first representative of the dracunculoid family Daniconematidae described from Africa.

Morphological Changes in the Lingual Papillae and Their Connective Tissue Cores on the 7,12-dimethylbenz[.ALPHA.]anthracene (DMBA) stimulated Rat Experimental Model

The aim of the study was to analyze morphological changes of the epithelial surface and underlying connective tissue cores (CTCs) of the lingual mucosa in the rat using a DMBA induced pre-cancerous experimental model. Lightmicroscopically, initially DMBA treated sections exhibited infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells. At 16 weeks, aldehyde-fuchsin (AF) positive elastic fibers decreased and were scanty in the juxtaepithelium. On the other hand, rather densely packed thick bundles of AF positive fibers were observable in the deep layers of lamina propria. Carcinomas were not found at any stage, however, epithelial dysplasia was observed at 24 weeks post-treatment with DMBA. Scanning electron microscopy revealed an irregular arrangement of filiform papillae 4-12 weeks following DMBA stimulation. Patchy degenerated areas were observed especially at 16-24 weeks post-treatment and filiform papillae were totally attenuated on the central part of the degenerated areas. After removal of the epithelium, attenuated CTCs were observed from 4-8 weeks. Morphology of CTCs seemed to be gradually remodeled and severely altered in the later stage. The CTCs were however attenuated and exhibited a patchy distribution. The animal experimental model in this study revealed degenerative morphological changes of CTCs of the lingual papillae in the precancerous stage induced by DMBA.

The microstructure of lingual papillae in the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) as observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy

The microstructure of lingual papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue of adult Egyptian fruit bats was examined by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This elongated tongue with a rounded apex is approximately 3 cm long -- including the 1.7cm length of the anterior free part of the tongue -- which facilitates considerable freedom of movement. The surface of the tongue has four types of lingual papillae: two types of mechanical papillae -- filiform and conical papillae, and two types of gustatory papillae -- fungiform and vallate papillae. Most numerous are filiform papillae with well developed keratinized processes represented by four morphological subtypes -- small, giant, elongated, and bifid papillae. Our observations showed the small and giant filiform papillae to be present in the anterior part of the tongue and tilted to the back of the tongue. In the posterior part of the tongue, the filiform papillae with elongated processes were arranged on each side of the tongue and oriented perpendicularly to the median line of tongue. This arrangement of filiform papillae is considered to be useful for the efficient uptake of semiliquid food as it can be collected toward the median line of the tongue. Gustatory fungiform papillae were distributed among filiform papillae on the border of the apex and the anterior part of the body of the tongue and also on the posterior part of the tongue, while three vallate papillae surrounded by conical papillae were found on the root of the tongue. There were also taste buds along the ducts of the posterior lingual glands in the posterior-lateral part of the tongue. These morphological features are discussed in relation to adaptation to food uptake in the Egyptian fruit bat.

Bursaphelenchus tokyoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) isolated from dead wood of the Japanese red pine, Pinus densiflora Sieb. & Zucc., in Japan

AbstractBursaphelenchus tokyoensis n. sp. is described and figured from a dead Japanese red pine, Pinus densiflora. Despite several attempts, the new species was not successfully cultured and so individuals isolated from the original dead log were used as type specimens. The new species has a body length of ca 710 μm (male) and 770 μm (female), medium values of ratio a (ca 32-38 for males and ca 29-41 for females), b ratio of ca 10-12 (male) and 11-14 (female), c ratio of ca 24-29 (male) and 30-41 (female), c′ ratio of ca 2.3 (male) and ca 2.0 (female), ca 11-14 μm long stylet, four lines in the lateral field, relatively small (ca 14-16 μm), smoothly arcuate spicule lacking clear condylus, rostrum and cucullus, seven male caudal papillae and short and broad female tail with variable-shaped terminus. The new species is typologically close to B. idius but can be distinguished by male caudal papillae arrangement, female tail length and number of lateral lines. Inferred trees based upon molecular phylogenetic analysis of near full length (ca 1.6 kb) small subunit and ca 0.7 kb of the D2/D3 expansion segment of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA placed B. tokyoensis n. sp. closest to the xylophilus- and africanus-groups. However, the new species is distinguished from members of these groups by its characteristic spicule morphology and relative molecular phylogenetic placement.

A New Genus and Species of Philometrid (Nematoda) From the Subcutaneous Tissue of the Crevalle Jack, Caranx hippos (Osteichthyes), From the Southern Gulf of Mexico

A new genus and species of nematode, Caranginema americanum n. gen., n. sp. (Philometridae), are described from gravid, subgravid, and nongravid female specimens collected from the subcutaneous tissue of the fish (crevalle jack) Caranx hippos (Carangidae, Perciformes) from the coral reef El Cabezo, southern Gulf of Mexico, Mexico. Caranginema, assigned to the Philometrinae, differs from other genera of this subfamily mainly in the presence of 2 conspicuous parallel cordons on either side, extending along nearly the entire body length and demarcating narrow smooth lateral fields and in having the remaining body surface with numerous ornamentations forming irregularly scattered, transversely elongated narrow cuticular molds. The new species is characterized mainly by the presence of 3 large, sclerotized esophageal teeth protruded out of the mouth, the number and arrangement of cephalic papillae (8 papillae in 4 pairs of external circle and 4 single papillae of internal circle), the length and structure of the esophagus, and by the body length of gravid and subgravid females (267 and 258 mm, respectively). Caranginema americanum is the seventh philometrid species reported from marine and brackish water fishes in Mexico.

Three new species of the armored catfish genus Loricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from river channels of the Amazon basin

Three new species of Loricaria are described from large white- and black-water river channels of the Amazon basin of Brazil, the upper rio Negro drainage of southern Venezuela, and clear waters of the lower rio Tocantins. Loricaria spinulifera and L. pumila differ from other species of Loricaria by having unique patterns of abdominal plate development and hypertrophied odontodes forming conspicuous crests on dorsal surfaces of the head and predorsal plates. Both are small species of Loricaria, reaching sexual maturity at less than 120 mm SL, and exhibiting sexually dimorphic characters consistent with members of the L. cataphracta complex. Loricaria spinulifera differs from L. pumila in having a unique arrangement of buccal papillae and large thorn-like odontodes on the dorsum of the head. Loricaria pumila is the smallest known Loricaria, reaching sexual maturity at less than 80 mm SL. Loricaria lundbergi differs from other Loricaria by having a unique abdominal plate pattern, broad head, and small basicaudal plate. Loricaria lundbergi is sympatric with L. spinulifera in the lower rio Negro drainage, but is also known from the rio Baria system of the Casiquiare drainage. Loricaria pumila occurs in the lower rio Amazonas and lower rio Tocantins. All three new species exhibit varying degrees of reduction in eye size and pigmentation seen in other fishes inhabiting deep river channels of South America.

Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Structure of the Lingual Papillae of the Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmeus, Burramyidae, Marsupialia)

The structure of the tongue of the marsupial feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmeus) was observed under a light and scanning electron microscope. The elongated tongue with a sharpened apex is ca. 10 mm in length. Only the posterior half of the tongue is attached to the bottom of the oral cavity by the frenulum, which facilitates considerable mobility of the anterior free part of the tongue. On the dorsal surface of the tongue, three types of lingual papillae were distinguished, that is, mechanical filiform papillae and gustatory fungiform and vallate papillae. The arrangement, shape, and size of filiform papillae and the direction of their keratinized processes change depending on the part of the tongue, so that the surface of the apex and the body of the tongue resembles a brush adapted to effective holding of semiliquid food and collection of pollen. The fungiform papillae have a single taste bud and are uniformly scattered between filiform papillae only on the anterior half of the tongue. On the smooth root of the tongue, three oval vallate papillae are arranged in the form of a triangle, similarly as it is the case in other marsupials. The posterior biggest vallate papilla is oriented perpendicularly to the smaller anterior papillae. The results of the study on the feathertail glider show that the special arrangement of lingual papillae is strongly adapted to feeding behavior of this nectar-eating and frugivorous animal.

Description of a New Species of Thelastoma Leidy, 1849 (Nematoda: Oxyurida: Thelastomatidae) from the Millipede Euryurus leachii (Gray, 1832) in Ohio, U.S.A.

Thelastoma krausi n. sp. is described based on specimens from the hindgut of Euryurus leachii (Gray, 1832) collected in central Ohio, U.S.A. Females of this species have the excretory pore located at the point of the esophageal bulb and have a longer tail than that of several other species. In comparison to species that also share these characters, no other species shares similar anatomical dimensions. In most similar species, the female esophageal length is longer than that of T. krausi n. sp. The female tail length is also longer than that of many similar species. The males of T. krausi n. sp. lack lateral alae and have an arrangement of papillae around the genital cone, including only a single postcloacal papilla, which varies from that of other described species.

Bursaphelenchus debrae n. sp. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), an associate of the bee Halictus brunnescens in Turkey

Abstract Bursaphelenchus debrae n. sp. was cultured from dauer juveniles recovered from the poison sac of a female sweat bee, Halictus brunnescens from Ankara, Turkey, in June 2004. The new species appears to be most similar to B. kevini and B. anatolius based upon the synapomorphies of their associations with soil-dwelling halictid bees, morphological features such as four lateral incisures, male caudal papillae arrangement, spicule morphology, female tail shape and ratio a, and molecular analysis of sequences of the D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA and partial mitochondrial DNA COI (mtCOI). In addition to significant molecular sequence differences in LSU and COI consistent with separate species status, B. debrae n. sp. can be differentiated from both B. kevini and B. anatolius by differences in the host halictid bee species with which they are phoretically associated, rostrum shape and size, and presence of a unique protuberance on the ventral aspect of the spicules. The nematode is mycophagous and can be cultured in the laboratory at 23°C on Monilinia fructicola growing on lactic acid-treated, 5% glycerin-supplemented potato dextrose agar (LGPDA).