Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. (Nemata: Tylenchidae) from Molokai,Hawaii

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. are described from Pepe''opae bog on Molokai, Hawaii. Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. is distinguished from all other Filenchus spp. by stylet length (10 µm), robust metacorpus, elongated basal bulb, and extraordinarily long, whip-like tail (c = 2.6, c'' = 31.8). Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. differs from other Lelenchus spp. by its shorter body length, weak dorso-ventral compression of the head region, and a more posterior vulva (V = 49-52). The spacious amphid pocket is introduced as a useful character for the differentiation of Lelenchus spp. from other Tylenchidae.     

Longidorus biformis n. sp. and L. glycines n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae): Two Amphimictic Species from Arkansas

Two new amphimictic species of Longidorus were found in Arkansas. Longidorus biformis n. sp., found in the rhizosphere of hardwood trees along streams in sandy soil in 14 Arkansas locations, is characterized by its long body (5.42-9.50 mm), wide expanded flattened head end, head width 20.0 to 26.0 µm, odontostyle 96 to 125 µm, guide ring 29 to 38 µm posterior to the anterior end, elongate conoid tail, and c'' = 0.9-2.1. Females with 2 to 11 vetromedian supplement-like structures were found in 2 of 14 populations of this new species. Longidorus biformis n. sp. is closest to L. seinhorsti Peneva, Loof &Brown, 1998 and L. closelongatus Stoyanov, 1964. Among North American species it is closest to L. glycines n. sp. A distinguishing feature of L. biformis n. sp. is the presence of supplement-like organs in some females. Longidorus glycines n. sp., found in soybean microplots at the Main Research Station, Fayetteville, Arkansas, is characterized by its long body (6.14-8.31 mm), wide offset flattened head end, head width 20.3 to 23.3 µm, odontostyle 87.3 to 99.5 µm, guide ring 22.3 to 26.4 µm posterior to the anterior end, short conoid tail with rounded terminus, and c'' = 0.9-1.4. Longidorus glycines n. sp. is closest to L. lusitanicus Macara, 1985. Among North American species it is close to L. biformis n. sp., L. breviannulatus Norton and Hoffman, 1975, and L. crassus Thorne, 1964. Both new species are believed to have four juvenile stages; the first stage was not found for L. biformis n. sp.     

Merlinius paniculoides n. sp. from Italy (Tylenchina: Belonolaimidae)

Merlinius paniculoides n. sp. is described from a bisexual Italian population found in northern Italy. This species has a coarsely annulated cuticle with approximately 30 longitudinal striae in addition to the six lateral field incisures; consequently the cuticle appears tessellate. The female tail is subcylindrical with a bluntly, rounded, non-annulated terminus. Merlinius paniculoides shares the tessellate cuticular ornamentation and the offset labial region with M. lenorus (Brown, 1956) Siddiqi, 1970 and M. tartuensis (Krall, 1959) Siddiqi, 1970. It differs from M. lenorus by the higher c and lower c'' ratios (c = 16-19 vs. 12-15 and c'' = 2.2-2,8 vs. 3.7) and greater number of longitudinal striae (28-32 vs. 24). It differs from M. tartuensis by a fewer number of annuti from stylet knob base to lip constriction (8-9 vs. 21), shorter stylet (19-21 vs. 24 μm), presence of males, and higher c'' value (c'' = 2.2-2.8 vs. 1.9).     

Descriptions of Three New Longidorus Species from Slovakia (Nemata: Longidoridae)

Three new Longidorus species from Slovakia are described. Longidorus carpathicus n. sp. most closely resembles Longidorus silvae but differs by having a longer odontostyle, odontophore, and total stylet; smaller a and c ratios; and longer distance to the guide ring. This new species also resembles L. picenus, L. macrosoma, and L. major but differs by having a narrower lip width. It further differs from L. picenus by having a longer odontostyle and smaller c ratio, and by lacking males; from L. macrosoma by having a longer odontostyle, smaller c ratio, by lacking males, and a more pronounced J1 tail peg; and from L. major by having a shorter body length, longer odontostyle, longer odontophore, and longer J1 tail peg. Longidorus piceicola n. sp. most closely resembles L. eridanicus, from which it differs by having a greater lip width, longer tail, smaller c ratio, larger c'' ratio, shorter hyaline tail length, and a conically rounded vs. hemispherical tail. This new species differs from L. cylindricaudatus by having a larger lip width, longer odontostyle and odontophore, and a greater distance to the guide ring; from L. nevesi by having a shorter body length, longer odontostyle, larger c'' ratio, and shorter hyaline tail length. Longidorus juglansicola n. sp. most closely resembles L. athesinus but differs by its longer body, wider lips, and larger a and c ratios. It closely resembles L. vineacola but differs by its shorter body length, smaller c ratio, and an almost parallel lip outline vs. an expanded lip outline; from L. lusitanicus by a longer odontophore and tail, and an almost parallel lip outline vs. an expanded lip outline.     

Longidorus paravineacola n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae), a New Species from Arkansas

Longidorus paravineacola n. sp., described herein, was found in a survey of longidorids of Arkansas. It is a parthenogeneticspecies characterized by its long body (6.68-9.85 mm); slightly expanded and rounded head, head width 21-27 µm; odontostyle length 95-114 µm; guide ring 28-37 µm posterior to the head end; short rounded tail, and c'' = 0.6-1.0. Longidorus paravineacola n. sp. is similar to the amphimictic species L. vineacola Sturhan &Weischer, 1964; L. balticus Brzeski, Peneva &Brown, 2000; L. kuiperi Brinkman, Loof &Barbez, 1987; and parthenogenetic species L. crassus Thorne, 1974, which also occurred in the type locality.     

Paralongidorus bullatus n. sp. from Groundnut Soils in Niger and Comments on Xiphinema parasetariae Luc

Paralongidorus bullatus n. sp. from groundnut soils in Sador''é Niger is described and illustrated. It is distinguishable from most species of the genus by its body and odontostyle lengths, knob-like head, and digitate ending of the protoplasmic region of the tail. Length of the female body is 4.4-5.5 mm, of the odontostyle 132-156 μm, and of the tail 32-44 μm. Tail terminus is conoid to broadly rounded. Uteri are well developed, without sperms. Males are not found. Xiphinema parasetariae Luc 1958, a species inquirenda, is validated and, based on measurements and tail structures, X. attorodorum Luc 1961 is proposed as a synonym of X. parasetariae. Additional measurements are given for its females and juveniles.     

Description of Pratylenchus gutierrezi n. sp. (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae) from Coffee in Costa Rica

A lesion nematode, Pratylenchus gutierrezi n. sp., collected from the roots of coffee in the Central Plateau of Costa Rica, is described and illustrated. Its relationships to Pratylenchus flakkensis, P. similis, and P. gibbicaudatus, the only other species of the genus having two head annules, males, or spermatheca with sperm, and an annulated tail terminus, is discussed. Other distinctive characters are its posterior vulva (mean of 80%); its prominently rounded stylet knobs, low head, and subcylindrical tail. SEM observations provide additional details of females and males, especially face views, which show for the first time sexual dimorphism.     

Hoplolaimoidea (Nematoda: Tylenchida) from the Aleutian Islands with Descriptions of Four New Species

Four new species of hoplolaimoid nematodes (Merlinius adakensis, Pratylenchoides megalobatus, Pratylenchus pratensisobrinus, and Pratylenchus ventroprojectus) are described from Adak Island in the Aleutian chain. M. adakensis n. sp. is separated from other species by body length (0.96-1.3 mm), stylet length (32-36 μm), number of tail annules (49-68), and c'' (3.1-4.1). P. megalobatus n. sp. differs from all known Pratylenchoides spp. by having a very long esophageal gland lobe (b'' = 2.4-3.3, overlap 3-6 times the body width). P. pratensisobrinus n. sp. closely resembles P. pratensis (de Man) Filipjev, but has a longer stylet (15-17 μm), a longer tail (c = 12-15; c'' = 2.8-3.7), and more tail annules (23-37). P. ventroprojectus n. sp. is distinguished by body length (392-475 μm), three lip annules, low and flattened cephalic capsule, and presence of terminal subventral projection. Pratylenchoides variabilis Sher, Helicotylenchus amplius Anderson &Eveleigh, and H. spitsbergensis Loof are also reported from Adak and Amchitka Islands.     

Three New Species of Etamphidelus Andrássy, 1977 (Nemata: Alaimidae) in Southern Chile

Three new species of Etamphidelus are described from Orange Bay, Hoste Island, Chile. All three are distinguished from previously described species by their numerous longitudinal cuticular ridges. E. acucephalus n. sp. is further distinguished by its extremely narrowed anterior body region and posteriorly situated amphids. E. fueguensis n. sp. is distinguished from E. acucephalus by its anteriorly located amphideal fovea, fewer cuticular ridges, smaller V-an/tail ratio and presence of males. E. yamani n. sp. is more similar to E. fueguensis n. sp. differing from it by a wider head end, more posteriorly located excretory pore, longer V-an/tail ratio, more numerous cuticular ridges and smaller spermatozoa. E. puccinelliae (Lorenzen, 1966) Andrássy, 1977 is transferred to Paramphidelus puccinelliae (Lorenzen, 1966) n. comb. The generic diagnosis of Etamphidelus is amended, and a key to species is presented.     

Steinernema scapterisci n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)

Steinernema scapterisci n. sp., isolated in Uruguay from the mole cricket Scapteriscus vicinus, can be distinguished from other members in the genus by the presence of prominent cheilorhabdions, an elliptically shaped structure associated with the excretory duct, and a double-flapped epitygma in the first-generation female. The spicules of the male are pointed, tapering smoothly to a small terminus, and the shaft (calomus) is long, bearing a sheath. The gubernaculum has a long, upward-bent anterior part. The ratio of head to excretory pore divided by tail length of the third-stage juvenile is greater for S. scapterisci n. sp. than for S. carpocapsae. Steinernema scapterisci n. sp. did not hybridize with S. carpocapsae strain Breton. In laboratory tests, S. scapterisci n. sp. killed 10% or less of non-orthopteran insects, including the wax moth larva, a universal host for other species of Steinernema.     

Diplogasteroides asiaticus n. sp. is Associated with Monochamus alternatus in Japan

Diplogasteroides asiaticus n. sp. is described and illustrated, and its molecular profile and phylogenetic status within the family Diplogastridae are inferred. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by its stomatal structure, a tube-like stoma with three small, rod-like dorsal teeth and two subventral ridges; a spicule clearly ventrally bent at 1/3 from the anterior end; a gubernaculum with a rounded anterior end and sharply pointed distal end in lateral view; nine pairs of genital papillae with an arrangement of <v1, (v2, v3d), C, v4, ad, ph, (v5, v6, v7), pd>; a short tail spike in males; and a well-developed receptaculum seminis, i.e., the antiparallel blind sacs of the uteri beyond the vulva region and elongated conical tail in females. This new species is morphologically similar to D. haslacheri, but it can be distinguished by the morphology of the somewhat shorter tail in females. D. asiaticus n. sp. shares high sequence conservation with D. andrassyi as there is only one base pair difference in the nearly full-length 18S rDNA and seven base pair differences in the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rDNA. Despite this sequence conservation, the species status of D. asiaticus n. sp. was confirmed using the biological species concept, as D. asiaticus n. sp. and D. andrassyi failed to generate viable F₂ progeny in hybridization tests.     

Revision of the Neotropical bark mantis genus Liturgusa Saussure, 1869 (Insecta,Mantodea, Liturgusini)

The praying mantis genus Liturgusa Saussure, 1869 occurs only in Central and South America and represents the most diverse genus of Neotropical Liturgusini (Ehrmann 2002). The genus includes bark dwelling species, which live entirely on the trunks and branches of trees and run extremely fast. All species included within the genus Liturgusa are comprehensively revised with a distribution stretching from central Mexico, the island of Dominica to the southeastern regions of Brazil and southern Bolivia. All known species are redescribed to meet the standards of the new treatment of the genus (11 species). Three new genera are described including Fuga gen. n., Velox gen. n., and Corticomantis gen. n. for species previously included in Liturgusa as well as Hagiomantis. Liturgusa mesopoda Westwood, 1889 is moved to within the previously described genus Hagiomantis Audinet Serville, 1838. A total of 19 species are newly described within Liturgusa, Fuga, and Velox including L. algorei sp. n., L. bororum sp. n., L. cameroni sp. n., L. cura sp. n., L. dominica sp. n., L. fossetti sp. n., L. kirtlandi sp. n., L. krattorum sp. n., L. manausensis sp. n., L. maroni sp. n., L. milleri sp. n., L. neblina sp. n., L. purus sp. n., L. stiewei sp. n., L. tessae sp. n., L. trinidadensis sp. n., L. zoae sp. n., F. grimaldii sp. n., and V. wielandi sp. n. Four species names are synonymized: Liturgusa peruviana Giglio-Tos, 1914, syn. n. = Liturgusa nubeculosa Gerstaecker, 1889 and Hagiomantis parva Piza, 1966, syn. n., Liturgusa sinvalnetoi Piza, 1982, syn. n., and Liturgusa parva Giglio-Tos, 1914, syn. n. = Mantis annulipes Audinet Serville, 1838. Lectotypes are designated for the following two species: Liturgusa maya Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 and Fuga annulipes (Audinet Serville, 1838). A male neotype is designated for Liturgusa guyanensis La Greca, 1939. Males for eight species are described for the first time including Liturgusa cayennensis Saussure, 1869, Liturgusa lichenalis Gerstaecker, 1889, Liturgusa guyanensis La Greca, 1939, Liturgusa maya Saussure & Zehntner, 1894, Liturgusa nubeculosa Gerstaecker, 1889, Fuga annulipes (Audinet Serville, 1838), Corticomantis atricoxata (Beier, 1931), and Hagiomantis mesopoda (Westwood, 1889). The female of Fuga fluminensis (Piza, 1965) is described for the first time. Complete bibliographic histories are provided for previously described species. The spelling confusion surrounding Liturgusa/Liturgousa is resolved. Full habitus images for males and females are provided for nearly all species. Habitus and label images of type specimens are provided when possible. Diagnostic illustrations of the head and pronotum for males and females are provided for all species when possible. Illustrations of male genital structures are provided for all species for which males are known. Measurement data, including ranges and averages, are provided for males and females of all species. Combined male and female genus and species level dichotomous keys are provided with a Spanish translation. A complete table of all examined specimens lists label data, museum codes, repositories, and other specimen specific information. A KML file with all georeferenced locality records is downloadable from mantodearesearch.com for viewing in Google Earth. Natural history information is provided for species observed by the author.     

Longidorus grandis n. sp. and L. paralongicaudatus n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae), Two Parthenogenetic Species from Arkansas

Two new parthenogenetic species of Longidorus were found in Arkansas. Longidorus grandis n. sp. is characterized by its body (5.80-8.24 mm), slightly offset head, head width 20-27 µm, odontostyle 86-100 µm, guide ring 26-35 µm posterior to the anterior end, short conoid to mammiliform tail. Longidorus grandis n. sp. is similar to L. vineacola Sturhan &Weischer, 1964; L. lusitanicus Macara, 1985; L. edmundsi Hunt &Siddiqi, 1977; L. kuiperi Brinkman, Loof &Barbez, 1987; L. balticus Brzeski, Peneva &Brown, 2000; L. closelongatus Stoyanov, 1964; and L. seinhorsti Peneva, Loof &Brown, 1998. Longidorus paralongicaudatus n. sp. is characterized by its body length (2.60-5.00 µm), anteriorly flattened and offset head region 13-18 µm wide, odontostyle length 92-127 µm, guide ring 21-30 µm posterior to the anterior end, tail elongate-conical, and c'' = 1.2-2.6. Longidorus paralongicaudatus n. sp. most closely resembles L. longicaudatus Siddiqi, 1962; L. socialis Singh &Khan, 1996; L. juvenilis Dalmasso, 1969; and L. curvatus Khan, 1986.     

Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae), a Novel Highly Pathogenic Entomopathogenic Nematode Member of Rhabditidae

A novel entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. RG081015, collected from Rugao, China, is described. The new species is morphologically very similar to H. chongmingensis but can be distinguished from it on the basis of some morphological characteristics, combined with molecular data and a cross-hybridization test. Males of the new species can be recognized on the basis of body length averaging 1396.2 μm; lateral field with one ridge; metastome isoglottoid with one hemispherical swellings comprised of two to three well-developed warts; asymmetric spicules; peloderan bursa. In IJs, EP = 134.5 μm; ES = 149.3 μm; tail length = 82.5 μm; and a = 20.5. Hermaphroditic females have four to five lateral ridges. The 18S rDNA and ITS sequences of the two nematodes share 99% and 98% identity, respectively. Phylogenetic trees of 18S rDNA and ITS indicate that the new species is most closely related to H. chongmingensis; thus, the two nematodes belong to the same genus. Failure of cross-hybridization between them indicates that nematode strain RG081015 is a novel species and is described herein as H. rugaoensis n. sp. The LC₅₀ of the novel species against Galleria mellonella were 24.35 IJs / ml within 48 hours of infection. Morphological characteristics, genetic similarity analyses, and phylogenetic relationships provide strong evidence that some species of Oscheius/Insectivora-group should be reassigned to the genus Heterorhabditidoides.     

Morphology and Description of Bursaphelenchus platzeri n. sp. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), an Associate of Nitidulid Beetles

Bursaphelenchus platzeri n. sp., an associate of nitidulid beetles in southern California, is described and illustrated. Adult males and females of B. platzeri n. sp. were examined by scanning electron microscopy for ultrastructural comparisons with other members of the genus. Bursaphelenchus cocophilus (red ring nematode) appears to be the closest related taxon to B. platzeri n. sp. based upon shared morphological features of the fused spicules, female tail shape, phoresy with non-scolytid beetles, and molecular analysis of the near full-length small subunit (SSU) rDNA. Unfortunately, sequence data from the D2D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA and partial mitochondrial DNA COI did not help resolve the relationship of nearest relative. In addition to significant molecular sequence differences in SSU, LSU, and COI, B. platzeri n. sp., which is an obligate fungal feeder, can be differentiated from B. cocophilus because it is an obligate parasite of palms. Bursaphelenchus platzeri n. sp. can be differentiated from all other species of Bursaphelenchus by the length and shape of the female tail and spicule morphology. The spicules are fused along the ventral midline and possess unfused cucullae; the fused unit appears to function as a conduit for sperm. Population growth of B. platzeri n. sp. was measured in a time-course experiment at 25°C in the laboratory on cultures of the fungus Monilinia fructicola grown on 5% glycerol-supplemented potato dextrose agar (GPDA). Nematode population densities rapidly increased from 25 to approximately 200,000/culture within 14 d and then plateaued for up to 28 d.     

Heterodera raskii n. sp. (Heteroderidae: Tylenchina), a Cyst Nematode on Grass, from Hyderabad,India

Heterodera raskii n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens collected from roots of bulb grass, Cyperus bulbosus, in Hyderabad, India. The new species belongs to the ''goettingiana'' group and differs from closely related H. cyperi by the elongate ovoid shaped cysts and females, greater fenestral length, width, vulval slit, and absence of egg sac. The stylet knob shape was round in second-stage juveniles and posteriorly sloping in females and males of H. raskii n. sp., while it was anteriorly directed in second-stage juveniles and spherical in females and males of H. cyperi.     

Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode Parasitizing Olive Tree (Olea europaea L.)

A root-knot nematode from Portugal, Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp., is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from olive trees (Olea europaea L.). Females of the new species have a characteristic perineal pattern with medium to high trapezoidal dorsal arch with distinct punctuations in the tail terminus area. The excretory pore is located posterior to the stylet, about 1.5-2.5 stylet lengths from the anterior end. The stylet is 17.1 μm long with pear-shaped knobs. Males have a rounded, posteriorly sloping head cap and head region not annulated. The robust stylet, 24.5 μ long, has large, elongate knobs. Mean length of the second-stage juveniles is 449.5 μm, stylet length 14.2 μm, and tail length 44.1 μm. Scanning electron microscope observations provide further details of perineal patterns and head and stylet morphology of females, males, and second-stage juveniles. Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. did not reproduce on any of the differential hosts used to separate the four most common Meloidogyne species. The common name "olive root-knot nematode" is proposed for M. lusitanica n. sp.