Male Caudal Papillae Research Articles

New morphological data and first description of gravid female of Cucullanus bagre Petter, 1974 (Seuratoidea: Cucullanidae) from Bagre bagre (Linnaeus, 1766) (Siluriformes: Ariidae) off Brazil.

Cucullanus bagre Petter, 1974 (Cucullanidae) is redescribed based on the examination of newly collected material and the revaluation of type specimens, using light and for the first time scanning electron microscopy. Parasite specimens were collected from the intestine of the coco sea catfish Bagre bagre (Linnaeus) (Ariidae) off the South Atlantic coast, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Detailed morphological analysis revealed the presence of an unpaired papilla just anterior to the cloacal protrusion in male, that was overlooked in the original description. Descriptions of the adult female and eggs are provided for the first time; these gravid specimens have the general morphometry quite similar to that of juveniles. Additionally, detailed description and illustration of sclerotized plates present on the oesophastome is provided. The far posterior location of the excretory pore with thick-walled excretory duct, the conspicuous protrusions present on both anal and cloacal regions and the number and arrangement of caudal papillae in males are considered to be important diagnostic features for C. bagre. All the specimens from type material were together in one vial and not separated in two vials as stated in the original description, making it impossible to determine which is the holotype, allotype or paratypes. This is the first report of C. bagre in Brazil, which expands its geographical distribution to South Atlantic waters.

Bursaphelenchus tiliae sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), a nematode associate of the bark beetle Ernoporus tiliae (Panz.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in small-leaved lime, Tilia cordata Mill.

Bursaphelenchus tiliae sp. n. is described from the bark of dead branches of the small-leaved lime, Tilia cordata, infested with the lime bark beetle, Ernoporus tiliae. The nematode adults and propagative juveniles were present in larval galleries, while dispersal dauer juveniles colonised the Malpighian tubules of adult beetles. Bursaphelenchus tiliae sp. n. is characterised by the body length of 664 (568-817) μm in female and 622 (515-754) μm in male, moderately slender body (a = 41.0 (34.7-47.9) and 43.1 (37.8-51.9) in female and male, respectively), and spicules 20.0 (18.1-21.8) μm long. The extended anterior vulval lip in female, lateral fields with four incisures, long post-uterine sac, and number (7) and arrangement of male caudal papillae, may indicate that B. tiliae sp. n. is closely related to the xylophilus group. It differs from this group by smaller, arcuate spicules with relatively short rostrum, narrow capitulum (5.2-6.9 μm), and indistinct condylus in an almost continuous line with dorsal lamina. Distal third of spicule dorsal contour is usually almost straight. The spicules have a distinct, disk-like cucullus at the terminus. The status of the new species is confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP) and its close relation to the xylophilus group by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA region. The presence of B. tiliae sp. n. dauer juveniles in Malpighian tubules of their vector bark beetle, E. tiliae, caused limited pathogenicity expressed as a local expansion of the tubule basement membrane and partial degradation of the cellular epithelium.

Bursaphelenchus fagi sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), an insect-pathogenic nematode in the Malpighian tubules of the bark beetle, Taphrorychus bicolor (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in European beech, Fagus silvatica L.

Bursaphelenchus fagisp. n. is described from the bark of European beech,Fagus silvatica. All propagative stages of the nematode are numerous in larval galleries of the beech bark beetle,Taphrorychus bicolor, while dauer juveniles aggregate in Malpighian tubules of adult beetles. The new species is characterised by the body length of 871 (763-1110) μm in female and 852 (718-992) μm in male, very slender body (a = 56.8 (50.4-67.1) and 64.5 (56.5-73.8) in female and male, respectively), and spicules 15.2 (14.0-17.0) μm long. The extended anterior vulval lip in female, lateral fields with four incisures, and number (7) and arrangement of male caudal papillae may indicate thatB. fagisp. n. is closely related to thexylophilusgroup. It differs from this group by the relatively small, claw-like spicules with narrow capitulum, indistinct condylus in almost continuous line with dorsal lamina, and lack of distinct cucullus at the spicule tip. The close relation ofB. fagisp. n. with thexylophilusgroup has been confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA region.Bursaphelenchus fagisp. n. most closely resemblesB. tokyoensisandB. idius, but can be separated by differences in the arrangement of the male caudal papillae, a unique feature for each species. The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). The mass presence of dauer juveniles ofB. fagisp. n. in Malpighian tubules of adultT. bicolorleads to degradation of the tubule cellular epithelium and local expansion of its basement membrane. These changes clearly indicate direct pathogenicity of the nematode to its vector insect. In laboratory rearing,B. fagisp. n. can grow and reproduce onBotryotinia fuckelianacultures.

Strongyluris amazonicus n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterakidae): A parasite of Tropidurus oreadicus from the Brazilian Amazon

Tropidurus oreadicus Rodrigues 1987 is a recently described species, thus there are no reports of helminthes parasites for this species. In this study, a morphological characterisation was performed of a nematode species parasite of the large intestine of T. oreadicus captured in an urban area. This urban area is similar to the estuarine dale from Guamá river and the “igarapés” of Belém, Pará State, Brazil. Morphological analysis suggested that the parasite is a new species of nematode, based mainly on the number and distribution pattern of the caudal papillae in males, which is unique for this species. In the present work, we describe for the first time the structure, number, and disposition of the cervical papillae. The morphological data were supported by scanning electron microscopy, which served as an important tool for distinguishing these nematodes from other species of the genus.

Further studies on Contracaecum spasskii Mozgovoi, 1950 and C. rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 (sensu lato) (Ascaridida: Anisakidae) from piscivorous birds in China

Contracaecum spasskii Mozgovoi, 1950, collected from the great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus) (Podicipediformes: Podicipedidae), is redescribed using both light and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy. Contracaecum spasskii differs from its congeners by having marked transverse cuticular annulations, the length of the oesophagus and spicules, the ratio between the intestinal caecum and the ventricular appendix, the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae, and especially by the particular morphology of the lips and interlabia. Some previously unreported morphological features of C. spasskii are also revealed and others corrected. Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 (sensu lato) is also redescribed based on the specimens collected from the great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Blumenbach) (Pelecaniformes: Phalacrocoracidae) from China. Based on the geographical perspective, the present Chinese material may represent the species C. rudolphii B.

Bursaphelenchus masseyi sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) – a nematode associate of the bark beetle, Trypophloeus populi Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), in aspen, Populus tremuloides Michx. affected by sudden aspen decline in Colorado

Bursaphelenchus masseyi sp. n. is described from trunks of unhealthy trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides, affected by sudden aspen decline (SAD) in Colorado, USA. All propagative stages of the nematode were present in larval galleries of a bark beetle, Trypophloeus populi. The dauer juveniles occupy the haemocoel of older larvae, pupae and adult beetles. The characteristic morphology of the male spicules with small but distinct cucullus, extended anterior vulval lip in female, lateral fields with four incisures, and number and arrangement of male caudal papillae, indicate that B. masseyi sp. n. is closely related to the xylophilus group. This relation has been confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA region. The new species is characterised by the body length of 958 (765-1203) μm in female and 874 (691-1122) μm in male, moderately slender body (a = 38.2 (33.5-41.1) and 38.0 (33.1-44.1) in female and male, respectively), and spicules 29.2 (26.2-34.7) μm long with a small cucullus (1.3-1.5 μm in diam.) at their tips. Bursaphelenchus masseyi sp. n. can be separated from other species in the xylophilus group by the morphology of spicules which have a short capitulum and unique rostrum that is pointed somewhat anteriorly, relatively thick vulval flap, which is straight, parallel to the body long axis and bent towards the body wall at its distal end, and other morphological and morphometric characters. The new species most closely resembles B. trypophloei, but differs by the morphology of spicules (short but distinct condylus vs condylus in a continuous line with dorsal lamina, and smaller cucullus). The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). Diallelic cross-breeding in vitro revealed also that B. masseyi sp. n. and B. trypophloei are reproductively incompatible. The new species showed poor ability to develop and reproduce on Botrytis cinerea cultures, although it grew vigorously on laboratory cultures of Polish and Colorado isolates of Cytospora chrysosperma, the fungus naturally associated with galleries of the nematode vector, T. populi.

New data on the morphology of Iheringascaris inquies (Linton, 1901) (Nematoda: Anisakidae), a specific parasite of the marine fish Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus), as revealed by SEM

Specimens of the type species of the ascaridoid genus Iheringascaris Pereira, 1935, I. inquies (Linton, 1901) (Anisakidae), were collected from the digestive tract and mesentery of its type host Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus) (Rachycentridae, Perciformes) from off the Atlantic coast of South Carolina, USA, during May of 2011. Scanning electron microscopical examination, used for the first time for specimens originating from the West Atlantic, made it possible to study in detail some taxonomically important morphological features, such as the number and distribution of male caudal papillae, cephalic and cuticular structures, deirids and cloacal (anal) lips. The allocation of other, poorly described, species from different hosts in Indian waters to this genus needs to be confirmed.

Morphological and genetic characterization of Hysterothylacium zhoushanensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida: Anisakidae) from the flatfish Pseudorhombus oligodon (Bleeker) (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae) in the East China Sea

Hysterothylacium zhoushanensis sp. nov. collected from the intestine of the flatfish Pseudorhombus oligodon (Bleeker) (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae) in the East China Sea is described and illustrated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the presence of remarkable lateral alae, the very short intestinal caecum, the unusually long ventricular appendix (ratio of intestinal caecum to ventricular appendix 1:8.74-23.8), the short spicules (0.58-0.81 mm long, representing 1.70-2.08 % of body length) and the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae (35-42 pairs in total, arranged as 26-32 pairs of precloacal, two pairs of paracloacal and six to eight pairs of postcloacal). In addition, the adults and the putative third-stage larvae identified morphologically of the new species are characterised by sequencing and analysing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA. The result reveals that they are homogeneous genetically, and all belong to the same species. Molecular analysis by comparing the ITS gene of H. zhoushanensis sp. nov. with these species of Hysterothylacium available in GenBank also seem to support the validity of the new species based on the morphological observation.

Goezia nankingensis Hsü, 1933 (Nematoda: Raphidascarididae) from the critically endangered Chinese paddlefish Psephurus gladius (Martens) (Acipenseriformes: Polyodontidae)

Goeziine nematodes identified as Goezia nankingensis Hsü, 1933 were collected from the Chinese paddlefish Psephurus gladius (Martens) (Acipenseriformes: Polyodontidae), a critically endangered freshwater fish, from the Yangtze River in China. Their examination, using light microscopy and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy, revealed some erroneous and previously unreported morphological features, necessitating the redescription of this poorly known species. Goezia nankingensis is easily distinguished from its congeners by the morphology and arrangement of its cuticular spines, the short intestinal caecum and long ventricular appendix (ratio of intestinal caecum to ventricular appendix 1:10.0-18.3), the short spicules (0.34-0.49 mm long, representing 6.09-10.1% of the body length), the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae [14-16 pairs in total, approximately arranged: precloacal 7-10 pairs, paracloacal 2 pairs and postcloacal 4-6 pairs (one pair double)], and the presence of a particular medio-ventral, precloacal papilla in the male.

Morphological and molecular identification of Hysterothylacium longilabrum sp. nov. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) and larvae of different stages from marine fishes in the South China Sea

A new ascaridoid nematode Hysterothylacium longilabrum sp. nov. collected from the intestine and stomach of the marine fishes Siganus fuscescens (Houttuyn) and Siganus canaliculatus (Park) (Perciformes: Siganidae) in the South China Sea is described and illustrated. The new species differs from its congeners by the unusually long lips, the very short intestinal caecum and relatively long ventricular appendix (ratio of intestinal caecum to ventricular appendix, 1:2.38-5.50), the long spicules (1.96-3.28 mm long, representing 7.42-11.4% of the body length), the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae [38-43 pairs in total, arranged as: 31-34 pairs precloacal, 1 pair of paracloacal and 4-6 pairs postcloacal (the second or fourth pair double)] and the presence of a particular medioventral precloacal papilla in the male. Molecular analyses by sequencing and comparing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA of H. longilabrum sp. nov. with the closely related nematode sequences seem to support the validity of the new species based on the morphological observation. In addition, the third- and fourth-stage larvae of the new species are also exactly identified and described by analysing and comparing the ITS sequence with the adult, and the result is a substantial step toward elucidating its life cycle.

Mawsonascaris parva sp. nov. (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the Arabian whipray Himantura randalli Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto et Moore (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae) off the coast of Iraq

Mawsonascaris parva sp. nov. collected from the Arabian whipray Himantura randalli Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto et Moore (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae) off the coast of Iraq is described and illustrated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species differs from its congeners by its small body size (8.11-18.2 mm long), the absence of an intestinal caecum, the slightly unequal spicules (left and right spicule 1.08-2.50 mm and 0.98-2.01 mm long, respectively, representing 12.1-13.7% and 10.1-12.1% of body length), the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae (13-14 pairs in total, arranged as: 7-8 pairs of precloacal, 1 pair of double paracloacal and 5 pairs of postcloacal) and the presence of a single, median precloacal papilla. Thus, a total of six species of Mawsonascaris are now known and this is the first species of this genus recorded from species of Himantura.

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).

Camallanus Railliet et Henry, 1915 (Nematoda, Camallanidae) from Australian freshwater turtles with descriptions of two new species and molecular differentiation of known taxa

AbstractTwo new species of Camallanus are described from Australian freshwater turtles. Camallanus beveridgei sp. nov. is reported from Elseya dentata in Northern Territory. It differs from other species of the genus parasitic in turtles by several characters including the shape of the median ridge in the buccal capsule and the position of the anterior pair of caudal papillae in males. Camallanus sprenti sp. nov. is reported from Elseya latisternum (type host) and Emydura krefftii in northern Queensland. It is closely related to Camallanus tuckeri, and differs from the latter species in possessing a shorter oesophagus. We summarize data on morphology, distribution and specificity of 5 known Camallanus spp. from Australian turtles and provide a key for their identification. Sequence comparison of more than 500 base pairs at the 5′ end of the nuclear 28S rDNA gene confirms the status of C. sprenti and C. beveridgei as new species. Camallanus sprenti differs from the other 4 species of Camallanus from Australian turtles by 16–59 bases (3.1–11.5%) while C. beveridgei differed from the other 4 species by 23–60 bases (4.5–11.6%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates close interrelationships among C. tuckeri, C. sprenti and C. beveridgei, the three species with most similar buccal capsules.

New host and geographical records and morphological details for Echinuria skrjabiniensis (Nematoda, Acuariidae) from shorebirds in Argentina

AbstractThe acuarioid nematode Echinuria skrjabiniensis Efimov in Skryabin, Sobolev et Ivashkin, 1965 was found in Calidris bairdii and C. fuscicollis (Aves, Scolopacidae) examined from several locations from Patagonia, Argentina. These constitute new host records as well as the first record of this parasite species in South America. Using both light and scanning electron microscopies, new morphological details are provided, including the description of the left spicule and the number and the arrangement of male caudal papillae. The taxonomic history of the species is summarized, corroborating its correct spelling and valid name.

Bursaphelenchus trypophloei sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) – an associate of the bark beetle, Trypophloeus asperatus (Gyll.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in aspen, Populus tremula L.

Abstract Bursaphelenchus trypophloei sp. n. is described from weakened and dead twigs of living or recently fallen aspen trees, Populus tremula, in Poland. All propagative stages of the nematode were present in larval galleries of a bark beetle, Trypophloeus asperatus, and its dauer juveniles could be found in the haemocoel of older larvae, pupae and adult beetles. Characteristic morphology of the male spicules with distinct cucullus, extended anterior vulval lip, lateral fields with four incisures, and number and arrangement of male caudal papillae indicate that B. trypophloei sp. n. is closely related to the xylophilus group. This relation has been further confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S and ITS-1 rDNA region. Bursaphelenchus trypophloei sp. n. can be separated from other species in the xylophilus group by the morphology of spicules which have a shorter capitulum and unique rostrum which is pointed somewhat anteriorly, relatively thick vulval flap, which is straight, parallel to the body long axis or bent towards the body wall at its distal end, and other morphological and morphometric characters, i.e., shape of female tail, position of excretory pore at or posterior to nerve ring, spicule length of 25.7 (23.1-28.0) μm (as measured along arc) and shape, moderate length, i.e., L = 702 (603-946) μm in females and L = 679 (543-828) μm in males, and slender body (a = 39.2 (33.0-45.2) and 40.9 (32.0-46.4) in female and male, respectively). The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). Full reproductive incompatibility of B. trypophloei sp. n. with B. xylophilus, B. mucronatus, B. fraudulentus, B. populi and B. doui has been demonstrated in in vitro diallelic cross-breeding. The newly described nematode revealed limited ability to develop and reproduce on Botrytis cinerea cultures although it produced large populations on laboratory cultures of Cytospora chrysosperma – a fungus naturally associated with galleries of the nematode vector, T. asperatus.

A New Cucullanid Species (Nematoda) from Ageneiosus ucayalensis Castelnau, 1855 (Pisces: Auchenipteridae) from Pará, Brazil

Cucullanus ageneiosus n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) is described from the intestine of the Ageneiosus ucayalensis , from the Guajará Bay, Belém, Pará, Brazil. The new species is characterized mainly by arrangement of male caudal papillae, and the position of lateral phasmids immediately posterior of 10th papillae, markedly short and unequal spicules, a precloacal sucker, and the presence of an unpaired median papilla just of the anterior cloacal lip.

Description of Bursaphelenchus populi sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), a new member of the xylophilus group from aspen, Populus tremula L., in Europe

AbstractBursaphelenchus populi sp. n. is described from dying and dead aspen trees, Populus tremula, in Poland. The nematode was found in trees infested with a long-horn beetle, Saperda perforata, and is vectored in the insect haemocoel. The characteristic morphology of male spicules, extended anterior vulval lip, lateral fields with four incisures, and number and arrangement of male caudal papillae, place B. populi sp. n. in the xylophilus group. Bursaphelenchus populi sp. n. can be separated from all other species in that group by the distinctive vulval flap, which is always bent with its distal half sunken in a conspicuous, sharp depression posterior to the vulva, and other morphological and morphometric characters, i.e., female tail shape, excretory pore position, spicule length (32.1 (25.7-37.0) μm (as measured along arc) and shape, and a relatively long (i.e., L,= 1020 (909-1111) μm in females), and L = 850 (756-1055) μm in males), and slender body (a = 45.4 (40.2-52.4) and 42.0 (36.1-49.3) in female and male, respectively). The status of the new species is confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA region placed the new species close to B. fraudulentus in the xylophilus group. In vitro cross-breeding of the new nematode with B. xylophilus, B. mucronatus, B. fraudulentus and B. doui revealed full reproductive incompatibility between these species. In laboratory experiments on 2-year-old seedlings B. populi sp. n. was specific to aspen. It did not develop on pine or oak and reproduced only in weakened or dead aspen seedlings. No pathogenicity to the tree host or vector insect was observed. In Botrytis cinerea PDA cultures, body dimensions were significantly altered in both sexes and female tail morphology differed when compared to individuals extracted from aspen wood.

Further description of Cruzia tentaculata (Rudolphi, 1819) Travassos, 1917 (Nematoda: Cruzidae) by light and scanning electron microscopy

Species of Cruzia are parasites of the large intestine of marsupials, reptiles, amphibians, and mammalians. Cruzia tentaculata specimens were collected from the large intestine of Didelphis marsupialis (Mammalia: Didelphidae) from Colombia (new geographical record) and from Brazil and analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of males and females by light microscopy corroborated most of the previous description and the ultrastructure by scanning electron microscopy evidence: the topography of the cuticle, deirids, amphids, phasmids in both sexes, a pair of papillae near the vulva opening, and the number and location of male caudal papillae, adding new features for species identification only observed by this technique.

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.

Redescription of four species of North American Bursaphelenchus Fuchs, 1937 (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) from Massey's type material

AbstractThe type specimens of four Bursaphelenchus species described by Massey, i.e., B. tritrunculus, B. willi, B. scolyti and B. maxbassiensis, were re-examined and photo-documented to update the descriptions in the light of a contemporary understanding of the genus. Detailed spicule morphology, lateral field (probably with two lines), hemizonid and a three-celled structure at the uterus-postuterine sac junction of females were observed for B. tritrunculus, all features not originally described. Based on spicule and vulval structure, B. tritrunculus is hypothesised to be related to the 'hunti' group of the genus. The type material of B. willi was in poor condition and several morphological features have been lost, although variation of excretory pore position and additional features of spicule morphology were observed and described. Bursaphelenchus willi is a morphologically atypical species within the genus. With only two pairs of male caudal papillae and an inconspicuous narrow 'bursa', it appears typologically similar to the Cryptaphelenchus lineage, although females have a functional rectum and anus. Re-isolation and molecular characterisation are needed to help define the precise status of this species. The spicule morphology of B. scolyti was different from the original description, the species being similar to several European species. Bursaphelenchus scolyti shares several morphological and biological characters with B. xerokarterus, i.e., spicule and female tail morphology and host (vector) insect. Re-isolation of B. xerokarterus and comparisons between it and B. scolyti are necessary to assess possible conspecificity. Three females and several juveniles of B. maxbassiensis were available for examination. It has unusual lip and stylet morphology and an anteriorly located excretory pore. The inconspicuous rectum and anus are similar to some other genera of aphelench. The precise phylogenetic position of B. maxbassiensis was not confirmed, partly because male specimens were not available. Re-isolation and wider comparisons involving molecular phylogenetic inferences, i.e., with other aphelench genera, are necessary.