Cuticle Ultrastructure of Criconemella curvata and Criconemella sphaerocephala (Nemata: Criconematidae)

Cuticle ultrastructure of Criconemella curvata and C. sphaerocephala females is presented; males were available only in the second species. Ultrathin sections revealed three major zones: cortical, median, and basal. The cortical zone in the females consists of an external and internal layer. In C. curvata the external layer is trilaminate and at each annule it is covered by a multilayered cap. In C. sphaerocephala the trilaminate layer is lacking and the external cortical layer includes an osmophilic coating. In both species the internal layer consists of alternate striated and unstriated sublayers. The median zone is fibrous with a central lacuna and the zone is interrupted between the annules. The basal zone of the cuticle is striated and narrower between each annule. The cuticle of the C. sphaerocephala male is typical of Tylenchida, except under both lateral fields; the striated layer becomes forked at the first incisure and the innermost two prongs of the fork overlap each other, resulting in a continuous striated band.     

Two New Species of Epsilonema from South Indopacific (Nemata,Epsilonematidae)

Two new species of Epsilonema are described from coral sand from Polynesia and New Caledonia. Epsilonema exoticum, with ca. 131 annules, is characterized by heterogeneous vacuolar ornamentation, small amphid, and male with small field of tiny copulatory thorns. Epsilonema enigmaticum, with ca. 168 annules and small vacuoles and ridges on the cuticle, differs from all other species of the genus by the number (10-16) of subcephalic setae.     

Ultrastructure and Development of Pasteuria sp. (S-1 strain), an Obligate Endoparasite of Belonolaimus longicaudatus (Nemata: Tylenchida)

Pasteuria sp., strain S-1, is a gram-positive, obligate endoparasitic bacterium that uses the phytoparasitic sting nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, as its host in Florida. The host attachment of S-1 appears to be specific to the genus Belonolaimus with development occurring only in juveniles and adults of B. longicaudatus. This bacterium is characterized from other described species of Pasteuria using ultrastructure of the mature endospore. Penetration, development, and sporogenesis were elucidated with TEM, LTSEM, and SEM and are similar to other nematode-specific Pasteuria. Recent analysis of 16S rDNA sequence homology confirms its congeneric ranking with other Pasteuria species and strains from nematodes and cladocerans, and corroborates ultrastructural, morphological, morphometric, and host-range evidence suggesting separate species status.     

Ultrastructural Variation of Cuticular Layers in Cephalobinae (Nemata: Rhabditida)

The ultrastructure of the body wall cuticle in Acrobeles complexus, Cervidellus alutus, and Zeldia punctata was studied as a step toward understanding biological diversity within Cephalobinae, and to discover new characters for phylogeny-based classification of the suborder. In each species the cuticle consists of cortical, median, and basal layers. The cortical layer includes an external trilaminate and internal granular zone; the basal layer is striated. In Z. punctata the median layer is electron-lucent, vacuolar, and penetrates the cortical layer; it also includes periodically dense columns that apparently correspond to punctuations visible with light microscopy. In contrast, the median layer of the body wall cuticle in A. complexus and C. alutus is bisected by a zone that undulates parallel to the nematode surface and with periodicity corresponding to annuli. Phylogenetic analysis, using derived cuticle patterns of Cephalobinae, requires an understanding of ecological pressures that could result in convergent evolution of cuticle characters.     

Ultrastructure of Gonionchus australis (Xyalidae,Nematoda)

Observations are reported on the ultrastructure of the buccal cavity, body cuticle, spermatids, spermatozoa, male genitalia, and caudal glands of Gonionchus australis. The buccal cuticle is a continuation of the pharyngeal cuticle. Anteriorly it is secreted by arcade tissue and overlaps the mouth rim; laterally it forms longitudinal tooth ridges. The non-annulated cephalic cuticle differs sharply from the remainder of the body wall cuticle. The cortical and basal zones become much thinner, while a largely structureless, lucent median zone expands to fill the bulk of the lips and lip flaps. Spermatids possess fibrous bodies, multimembrane organelles, mitochondria, and compact chromatin. The spermatozoa of G. australis resemble those of most other nematodes by the absence of the nuclear envelope and presence of fibrous bodies, mitochondria, and compact chromafin. The ejaculatory duct possesses microvilli. Two ejaculatory glands lie beside the duct. Two neurons are located within each spicule and each part of the paired gubernaculum. Caudal gland nuclei are large, with dispersed chromatin. The ducts of all three caudal glands are filled with secretory vesicles.     

Position of Pharyngeal Gland Outlets in Monhysteridae (Nemata)

In this study an attempt was made to determine the position of the outlets and nuclei of the pharyngeal glands in four monhysterid genera. Five Eumonhystera spp., seven Monhystera spp., and eight Monhystrella spp. were studied under the light microscope. Longitudinal sections of an undescribed Monhystera sp. and cross sections of Geomonhystera disjuncta were also studied under the scanning and transmission electron microscope, respectively. The results of the light microscopic studies were inconclusive about the position of the outlets but showed a number of nuclei in the basal part of the pharynx. The scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies revealed five pharyngeal glands and their outlets; their position was as follows: dorsal gland outlet at the base of buccal tooth, first pair of ventrosublateral gland outlets halfway along the pharynx, and second pair of ventrosublateral gland outlets close to the base of the pharynx. It is concluded that at least three, and possibly five, nuclei are in the basal part of the pharynx. This pattern, in the position of the outlets and nuclei, is similar to that in Caenorhabditis elegans (Maupas, 1900) Dougherty, 1953 and may well be the basic plan in the Class Chromadorea (including Secernentia as a subclass).     

FMRFamide-like Immunoactivity in Heterodera glycines (Nemata: Tylenchida)

Material antigenically related to the neuromodulatory peptide FMRFamide was detected and examined in preparations of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, and in the free-living nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Panagrellus redivivus. FMRFamide-related peptides were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific activities were remarkably similar among all of the vermiform members of the three species. FMRFamide-related peptide immunoactivity was present in both sexes and all stages of H. glycines examined. The highest specific activity was present in second-stage juveniles and in males, and the lowest in white and yellow females. Total FMRFamide-related peptide level per individual was highest in brown females, with 90% of the activity associated with the eggs. Peptide levels in these eggs and in second-stage juveniles were comparable and increased in adults, especially in females. Chromatographic analysis of FMRFamide-related peptide preparations from H. glycines juveniles, C. elegans, and P. redivivus revealed distinct qualitative differences between the infective plant parasite and the free-living nematodes.     

Changes in Esophageal Gland Activity During the Life Cycle of Nacobbus aberrans (Nemata: Pratylenchidae)

Electron and light microscopy were used to study the dorsal gland (DG) and the two subventral glands (SvG) of seven developmental phases of Nacobbus aberrans: pre-parasitic second-stage juveniles (J2), parasitic J2, third- (J3) and fourth- (J4) stages, migratory females, young sedentary females, and mature sedentary females. In each developmental phase the level of esophageal gland activity, was estimated by the abundance of organelles associated with secretory pathways, including endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi, multivesicular bodies, and secretory granules. All esophageal glands were metabolically active in all J2 examined, although only in parasitic J2 were there numerous secretory granules in the esophageal gland extensions and ampullae. No evidence of secretory activity was observed in the esophageal glands of the coiled and relatively inactive J3 and J4, nor in migratory females; these stages apparently do not feed. Observations suggest that reserves stored by J2 sustain three ecdyses and the migratory female''s search for a feeding site and induction of a syncytium. Feeding activity is resumed in young and mature sedentary females, in which the DG is highly active and enlarged. The SvG are metabolically active, but with little synthesis of secretory granules, suggesting that in sedentary females the SvG may have physiological roles other than digestion.     

Fine Structure of Sperm of Ekphymatodera thomasoni (Heteroderinae,Nemata)

Fine structure of developing sperm of the monospecific genus, Ekphymatodera, was compared with other Heteroderinae as part of a study to recognize diversity and phylogenetically informative characters within the subfamily. Sperm of Ekphymatodera originate from germ cells connected to a central rachis, a character which is shared with Globodera, but not with other Heteoderinae. In Ekphymatodera, and cyst-forming genera, a layer of cortical microtubules lies just beneath the surface of the plasma membrane. Sperm of Ekphymatodera are unique among Heteroderinae examined by the presence of spiral surface elevations on the filopodia, a character that may prove to be a synapomorphy for Sarisoderini. Fibrous bodies are abundant in spermatids; however, they do not persist in sperm of Ekphymatodera as they do in Meloidodera and Verutus. The male gonad of Ekphymatodera is lined by epithelial cells, which are greatly enlarged near the ejaculatory canal. These enlarged cells contain vesicles with concentric lamellar inclusions, not observed in other genera of the subfamily. Sperm of Heteroderinae are rich in diversity, and examination of additional representative species may indicate new phylogenetically informative characters.     

Morphometrics of Infective Juveniles of Steinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Nemata: Rhabditida)

Selected morphometrics of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and seven species of Steinernema from in vivo culture were compared in relation to time of harvest. In addition, five Steinernema species were reared in vitro and their morphometrics were compared with those from in vivo culture. With in vivo culture, there was generally a negative linear relationship between body length of infective juveniles (IJ) and time of harvest. The distance from the anterior end to the excretory pore (EP) and the tail length (T) of IJ also varied with time of harvest. The E percentage (= EP/T x 100) was the least variable. Body lengths of IJ reared in vitro were much less than those of IJ reared in vivo. The study suggests that IJ harvested from in vivo culture within 1 week of emergence from cadavers are best for species identification. Infective juveniles from in vitro culture should not be used for species identification.     

Terrestrial Nematodes of Alaska I. Trichodoridae (Nemata)

Four species of Trichodoridae, two of them new and belonging to the T. aequalis complex, are reported from Alaska. Trichodorus carlingi n. sp. differs from all other species of the genus in having conspicuously hamate spicules. Vaginal sclerotizations are trapezoidal to rectangular. Trichodorus paucisetosus n. sp., which resembles T. sparsus Szczygiel, 1968 and T. nanjingensis Liu & Cheng, 1990, has sparsely setose, noncephalated spicules partially striated in one or two zones, oval to round vaginal sclerotizations, sperm in discrete spermathecae, and onchiostyle 57-72 μm long. Trichodorus californicus Alien, 1957 is reported from many sites in Alaska, and T. aequalis Allen, 1957 is reported from one site. Trichodorus californicus was collected almost exclusively from glacial refugial regions north of the Alaska Range.     

Meloidogyne petuniae n. sp. (Nemata: Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode Parasitic on Petunia in Brazil

Meloidogyne petuniae n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens parasitic on petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) in Brasilia, Brazil. The perineal pattern of the female is elongate to ovoid with a high, squarish arch and widely spaced, coarse striae. The stylet of the female is 12.9-16.5 µm long and has three small, rounded knobs that are distinctly set off from the shaft. Each knob is marked by a deep longitudinal indentation posteriorly and anteriorly. In SEM the base of the shaft appears to be divided into six distinct ridges. The excretory pore opens about 15.4-53.6 µm from the head end. Males are approximately 0.8-2.2 mm long. Most specimens have a high and narrow head cap, but in some the head cap is narrow and low. The stylet of the male is 21.1-26.0 µm long and has small, rounded knobs, set off from the shaft, but not indented as in the female. Second-stage juveniles are 353-464 µm long; the labial disc is fused with the medial lips to form a dumbbell-shaped head cap; the medial lips are indented posteriorly; and the head region is marked with one to two irregular annulations. The stylet is 9.2-10.8 µm long and has rounded, posteriorly sloping knobs. The tail is slender, approximately 46.4-57.2 µm long, and has a short hyaline terminus, 10.3-13.5 µm long. The somatic chromosome number is 2n = 41 and the esterase phenotype is VS1-S1, with S1 being a weak band. The malate dehydrogenase phenotype is N1, which is unique for this species. Petunia, tomato, tobacco, pea, and bean are good hosts; pepper, watermelon, and sweet corn are poor hosts; and peanut, cotton, and soybean are non-hosts. Galls produced by this species are smaller on petunia than on tomato.     

Identification of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in the Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae (Nemata: Rhabditida)

This paper contains taxonomic keys for the identification of species of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. Morphometrics of certain life stages are presented in data tables so that the morphometrics of species identified using the keys can be checked in the tables. Additionally, SEM photographs and diagnoses of the families and genera of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are presented.     

Characterization of the Cystoid Nematode Meloidoderita kirjanovae (Nemata: Sphaeronematidae) from Southern Italy

A population of the cystoid nematode Meloidoderita kirjanovae was detected parasitizing water mint (Mentha aquatica) in southern Italy. The morphological identification of this species was confirmed by molecular analysis using the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and 5.8S gene sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), which clearly separated it from the closely related species Meloidoderita polygoni. A phylogenetic analysis of M. kirjanovae with species of related genera was conducted using sequences of the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene. The resulting phylogenetic tree was congruent with trees from an extended dataset for Criconematina and Tylenchida. The basal position of the genus Meloidoderita together with Sphaeronema within the Criconematina clade in this tree may indicate their close relationships. The anatomical changes induced by M. kirjanovae population from Italy in water mint were similar to those reported for a nematode population infecting roots of M. longifolia in Israel. Nematode feeding caused the formation of a stellar syncytium that disorganized the pericycle and vascular root tissues.     

Marine Nematodes of Bothnian Bay,Finland: Ethmolaimus hailuotoensis n. sp. (Ethmolaimidae: Nemata)

Ethmolaimus hailuotoensis n. sp. from Bothnian Bay, northern Baltic Sea, is described and illustrated. Ethmolaimus hailuotoensis n. sp. has a strongly sclerotized luminal lining of the terminal esophageal bulb and esophagus. The most characteristic feature is a lateral series of large concentric, sclerotized rings with a fine, internal longitudinal oval sclerotization. In addition, E. hailuotoensis n. sp. is distinguished from other Ethmolaimus species by its smaller body size, fewer number of precloacal supplements (7-8), conical tail, and the position of amphid posterior to the buccal cavity. Females of E. hailuotoensis n. sp. studied were hermaphroditic. Ethmolaimus hailuotoensis n. sp. coexisted with E. pratensis. Ethmolaimus pratensis from Bothnian Bay has a characteristic row of sublateral hypodermal glands, a character not before seen in Ethmolaimidae.     

Trichodorus elefjohnsoni n. sp. (Nemata: Trichodoridae) from Undisturbed Appalachian Forest

A new species of Trichodoridae, Trichodorus elefjohnsoni, is described from undisturbed regions of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States. It resembles T. orientalis De Waele &Hashim, 1984, T. persicus De Waele &Sturhan, 1987, and T. taylori De Waele, Mancini, Roca, '' Lamberti, 1982 in arrangement of ventromedian cervical papillae and posterior preanal supplements, but differs by combinations of the following characteristics: body length 516-731 μm; spicule length 33-50 μm, spicules densely striated, constricted medially; vaginal sclerotizations ovate; one pair of lateral body pores near vulva.     

Description of Hemicycliophora biosphaera n. sp. from Arizona (Nemata: Criconematidae)

Hemicycliophora biosphaera n. sp. (Nemata: Criconematidae) was found in soil from a fallow field plot within the Biosphere 2 Center, Oracle, Arizona. The nematode species is characterized by continuous and irregular breaks in transverse striae in the lateral field, smooth annules, a rounded-truncate lip region with rounded anterior margins, three lip annules, first labial annule elevated and widened laterally, dome-shaped and elevated labial disc, stylet length (76-97 (μm), VA%T value (30-59), 234-273 body annules, and tail with a terminus offset, cylindrical to slightly conoid digit. Hemicycliophora biosphaera n. sp. most closely resembles H. armandae but differs from it in body width (30-39 vs. 38-54 μm), stylet length (76-97 vs. 95-119 μm), greater number of annules between the excretory pore and esophagus base (4-16 vs. 2), length of the tail terminal spike (16-28 vs. 32 μm), lower Rvan value (9-15 vs. 16), and indistinct spetanatheca vs. distinct spermatheca.     

Ultrastructure of Coelomocytes in Sphaerolaimus gracilis de Man, 1876 (Nematoda)

The structure of coelomocytes in the adenophorean aquatic nematode Sphaerolaimus gracilis de Man 1876 was studied with light and electron microscopes. Acid phosphatase and catalase activities were demonstrated by electron microscopy. Two pairs of coelomocytes occurred laterally posterior to the esophagointestinaljunction. The anterior pair of the coelomocytes, with the renette cell and gonad, lay in either the left or the right lateral side of the body. The posterior pair of coelomocytes was in the opposite side of the body, usually posterior to the renette. A long, thin, cell-extension-like structure appeared to originate from the coelomocytes. Coelomocytes were characterized by specialized organelles (CC-organelle) and large vacuoles. The CC-organelle contained crystalline structures like those in peroxisomes. Acid phosphatase and catalase activities were detected in the matrix of CC-organelles and catalase activity in the vacuoles. It was assumed that vacuoles originate from the CC-organelles. Coelomocytes showed pinocytotic activities, and numerous vesicles were observed between the cell membranes and the vacuoles.     

Mating and Sexual Communication by Steinernema carpocapsae (Nemata: Steinernematidae)

Entomopathogenic nematodes are lethal insect parasites that reproduce exclusively inside their hosts in nature. Infection decisions made by the free-living infective-stage juveniles have an impact on reproductive success, but it is likely that mating decisions are made by adults while inside their host. We investigated sexual communication between male and female adult stages of Steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) to assess whether mating is chemically mediated during the adult stage or results from incidental encounters between adults inside the insect host. To assess chemical communication, we measured the behavioral response of adult male S. carpocapsae to several different potential sources of chemical information. Male S. carpocapsae responded to virgin females only and were not influenced by mated conspecific females, conspecific males, or heterospecific females. These results show that species-specific communication takes place between adult entomopathogenic nematodes within the host cadaver just prior to mating.     

Ultrastructure of Spermatogenesis in the Testis of Paragonimus heterotremus

Lung fluke, Paragonimus heterotremus, is a flatworm causing pulmonary paragonimiasis in cats, dogs, and humans in Southeast Asia. We examined the ultrastructure of the testis of adult P. heterotremus with special attention to spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The full sequence of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, from the capsular basal lamina to the luminal surface, was demonstrated. The sequence comprises spermatogonia, spermatocytes with obvious nuclear synaptonemal complexes, spermatids, and eventual spermatozoa. Moreover, full steps of spermatid differentiation were shown which consisted of 1) early stage, 2) differentiation stage representing the flagella, intercentriolar body, basal body, striated rootlets, and electron dense nucleus of thread-like lamellar configuration, and 3) growing spermatid flagella. Detailed ultrastructure of 2 different types of spermatozoa was also shown in this study.