Rhabditis (Oscheius) pheropsophi n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae)

Rhabditis (Oscheius) pheropsophi n. sp., associated with cadavers of the bombardier beetle, Pheropsophus aequinoctialis, is described from material collected in Brazil. Mean body length of the female is 1,217 μm, of the male 872 μm, and of the dauer juvenile 568 μm. The female has six lips with one papilla on each lateral lip and two on each sublateral lip; stoma wall thickened dorsally, metarhabdions with warts, excretory pore near base of esophagus, tail long (c = 8), and phasmids prominent, protruding on scanning electron microscope preparations. The male has 10 pairs of bursal ribs, with the terminal pair considerably smaller than the others; spicules fused distally two-thirds of their length. The new species can be distinguished from other members of the Dolichura-group by its fused spicules.     

Panagrellus ceylonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cephalobidae)

Panagrellus ceylonensis n. sp. is described from rubber latex in Ceylon. Its long, slender spicules are curved ventrally with a dorsal deflection at two-thirds of their length. The manubrium is thick and hooked, and the shaft is not widened at the shoulder. The terminal bifurcations are wide, with the dorsal one considerably longer and thicker than the ventral. The main ventral element is continuous with the terminal sheath with the ventral bifurcation arising within it.     

Surface antigens of Xenorhabdus nematophila (F. Enterobacteriaceae) and Bacillus subtilis (F. Bacillaceae) react with antibacterial factors of Malacosoma disstria (C. Insecta: O. Lepidoptera) hemolymph

Previous research established different interactions of the insect pathogen, Xenorhabdus nematophila and nonpathogen, Bacillus subtilis, with antimicrobial hemocytes and humoral factors of larval Malacosoma disstria [Giannoulis, P., Brooks, C.L., Dunphy, G.B., Mandato, C.A., Niven, D.F., Zakarian, R.J., 2007. Interaction of the bacteria Xenorhabdus nematophila (Enterobacteriaceae) and Bacillus subtilis (Bacillaceae) with the hemocytes of larval Malacosoma disstria (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Lasicocampidae). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 94, 20-30]. The antimicrobial systems were inhibited by X. nematophila and stimulated by B. subtilis. The bacterial surface antigens participating in these reactions were unknown. Thus, herein the effects of lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) from X. nematophila and lipoteichoic acid from B. subtilis on the larval M. disstria immune factors, the hemocytes and phenoloxidase, were determined. Endotoxin elevated the level of damaged hemocytes limiting the removal of X. nematophila from the hemolymph and enhancing the rapid release of bacteria trapped by nodulation. Similar effects were observed with the lipid A moiety of the endotoxin. The effects of lipopolysaccharide and lipid A on the hemocyte activities were abrogated by polymyxin B (an antibiotic that binds to lipid A) confirming lipopolysaccharide as the hemocytotoxin by virtue of the lipid A moiety. Lipoteichoic acid elicited nodulation and enhanced phenoloxidase activation and/or activity. Although lipoidal endotoxin and lipid A inhibited phenoloxidase activation they enhanced the activity of the enzyme. Apolipophorin-III precluded the effects of lipopolysaccharide, lipid A, and lipoteichoic acid on the hemocytes and prophenoloxidase until the antigens exceeded a critical threshold.     

Descriptions of Deladenus albizicus n. sp. and D. processus n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina) from Haryana,India

Two different nematodes were isolated from the bark of Albizia lebbeck trees; one from insect infested and another from noninfested, healthy tree. Based on the biological, morphological, and molecular evidences, the nematodes are described as Deladenus albizicus n. sp. and D. processus n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina). Deladenus albizicus n. sp., isolated from insect-infested tree, multiplied on the fungus Nigrospora oryzae. Myceliophagous females of this nematode reproduced by parthenogenesis and spermathecae were indistinct. Infective females, readily produced in the cultures, are dorsally curved. Only one type of males containing small-sized sperms in their genital tracts were produced in the culture. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.75 to 1.71 mm, a = 32.3 to 50.8, b = 9.3 to 11.2, b’ = 5.2 to 7.3, c = 27.2 to 35.6, V = 91.0 to 93.3, c’ = 2.0 to 2.9, stylet = 11 to 12 µm, excretory pore in the region of median pharyngeal bulb, 43 to 47 µm anterior to hemizonid. Deladenus processus n. sp., isolated from bark of healthy A. lebbeck tree, was cultured on Alternaria alternata. Myceliophagous females reproduced by amphimixis and their spermathecae contained rounded sperms. Infective females were never produced, even in old cultures. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.76 to 0.99 mm, a = 34 to 49, b = 13.3 to 17.7, b’ = 3.8 to 5.8, c = 19.6 to 22.8, V = 92.2 to 93.5, c’ = 2.7 to 3.5, stylet = 6 to 7 µm, excretory pore in the proximity of hemizonid, tail conoid, tapering from both sides to a long pointed central process. It is proposed to classify Deladenus species in three groups: durus, siricidicola, and laricis groups based on female and spermatogonia dimorphism, mode of reproduction, and insect parasitism.     

Entomophthora leyteensis Villacarlos & Keller sp. nov. (Entomophthorales: Zygomycetes) infecting Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) (Insecta,Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a recently introduced whitefly on Gliricidia sepium (Jaq.) Walp. (Fabaceae) in the Philippines

Entomophthora leyteensis Villacarlos & Keller sp. nov., a species of Entomophthorales infecting the whitefly Tetraleurodes acaciae on Gliricidia sepium in the Philippines is described. Disease prevalence monitored weekly for 8 weeks indicated that the fungus could cause 8-31% infection within the whitefly population. Epizootics due to this fungus occurred in Inopacan, Leyte. Sampling live whitefly adults and dissecting them on glass slides for microscopic examination of fungal structures was found to give a better measure of prevalence than actual counts of infected insect cadavers. E. leyteensis is an important mortality factor for T. acaciae. Some speculations on the origin of the fungus are discussed here.     

Criconema proclivus n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematinae) from Woodlands

Criconema proclivis n. sp. from soil around roots of woodland trees in the northeastern USA is described and illustrated. It is characterized by a total of 67-74 annules, two naked offset head annules, a stylet length of 68.7 -80.7 μ, a sculpted vulval flap, and forward-projecting body annules. The annules at midbody are covered with a continuous fringe of 60-70 spines.     

Sclerostylus n. gen. from Panama and Other Neotropical Species of LeptonIchoidea (Dorylaimida)

Leptonchoid species found in soil samples taken in lowland and mid-elevation seasonal forests at four locations in Panama were as follows: Sclerostylus karri n. gen., n. sp., Basirotyleptus saccatus n. sp., B. nemoralis, B. acus, B. penetrans, Doryllium neotropicum n. sp., D. minor, Tyleptus gymnochilus, Gerthus jamesi, Dorylaimoides micoletzkyi, and Tylencholaimellus macrophallus. The discoveries corroborate our earlier suggestion of a Gondwanian origin for Tyleptus and Basirotyleptus and provide data for additional biogeographical study.     

Two New Species of Tylenchidae,Basiroides nortoni n. sp. and Tylenchus hageneri n. sp. (Nematoda: Tylenchida)

Basiroides nortoni n. sp. and Tylenchus hageneri n. sp. from soil around roots of corn from Ollie, Iowa, are described and illustrated. B. nortoni n. sp. has a posterior vulva, a long posterior uterine branch and an arcuate tail with pointed terminus. T. hageneri n. sp. has four lines in the lateral field, coarse transverse cuticular striae along the whole body, and a filiform tail slightly shorter than vulva-anus distance.     

Nosema chrysorrhoeae n. sp. (Microsporidia), isolated from browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) in Bulgaria: characterization and phylogenetic relationships

A new microsporidian parasite Nosema chrysorrhoeae n. sp., isolated in Bulgaria from the browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.), is described. Its life cycle includes two sequential developmental cycles that are similar to the general developmental cycles of the Nosema-like microsporidia and are indistinguishable from those of two Nosema spp. from Lymantria dispar. The primary cycle takes place in the midgut tissues and produces binucleate primary spores. The secondary developmental cycle takes place exclusively in the silk glands and produces binucleate environmental spores. N. chrysorrhoeae is specific to the browntail moth. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ssu rRNA gene sequence places N. chrysorrhoeae in the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade, with the microsporidia from lymantriid and hymenopteran hosts. Partial sequences of the lsu rRNA gene and ITS of related species Nosema kovacevici (Purrini K., Weiser J., 1975. Natürliche Feinde des Goldafters, Euproctis chrysorrhoea L., im Gebiet von Kosovo, FSR Jugoslawien. Anzeiger fuer Sch?dlingskunde, Pflanzen-Umweltschutz, 48, 11-12), Nosema serbica Weiser, 1963 and Nosema sp. from Lymantria monacha was obtained and compared with N. chrysorrhoeae. The molecular data indicate the necessity of future taxonomic reevaluation of the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha.     

Strelkovimermis spiculatus n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda) Parasitizing Aedes albifasciatus Mac. (Culicidae: Diptera) in Argentina

Strelkovimermis spiculatus n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda), a parasite of the mosquito Aedes albifasciatus Mac. in Argentina, is described. Diagnostic characters of this species include a ventrally shifted mouth opening and spicules fused at the tips. The mermithid has been reared on Culex pipiens L. larvae in the laboratory.     

Antifeedant neo-clerodanes from Teucrium tomentosum Heyne. (Labiatae)

From the acetone extract of Teucrium tomentosum, a new antifeedant neo-clerodane diterpenoid teuctosin (1) was isolated along with teuflin (2), teucrin-H(2) (3), 6beta-hydroxyteuscordin (4), 6beta-acetylteuscordin (5) and montanin-D (6). The structure of the new compound was elucidated comprehensively using 1D and 2D NMR methods and confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All the compounds showed effective antifeedancy against Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera litura at 10 mug/cm(2) of leaf area.     

Criconemella anastomoides n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematina) from Pakistan

Criconemella anastomoides, described and illustrated herein, is characterized by the presence of regular anastomosis on the body, two zig zag lateral lines, stylet knobs sloping posteriorly, short stylet, and short body length.     

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.     

Description and Bionomics of Mesomermis camdenensis n. sp. (Mermithidae), a Parasite of Black Flies (Simuliidae)

Mesomermis camdenensis n. sp. is described from larvae of Simulium tuberosum (lundstroem) collected in Camden Valley Creek, Washington County, New York. This species possesses a barrel-shaped vagina, vulval flap. two short separate spicules, terminal mouth, six longitudinal chords, six cephalic papillae, large sexually dimorpbic anaphids, an esophagns of uniform width which extends for less than one-third of the body length, and a cone-shaped tail directed ventrally without appendage. Juveniles also are described and illustrated.A detailed morphological comparison with the mermithid M. flumenalis Welch is presented. The most pronounced morphological differences between these species are in the shape of the vulva, juvenile tail, and infective stage. Cross-mating trials support the integrity of the new species.The life cycle of M. camdenensis is closely synchronized with that of its primary host, S. tuberosum larvae. Infected S. tuberosum larvae were first collected in May. Emergence of postparasites from late instars took place from mid-June through mid-October. Sampling data indicate a lower susceptibility to infection among S. venuslum Say larvae.     

Tylenchulus graminis n. sp. and T. palustris n. sp. (Tylenchulidae), from Native Flora of Florida,with Notes on T. semipenetrans and T. furcus

Tylenchulus graminis n. sp. and T. palustris n. sp. are described and illustrated from broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus L.) and pop ash (Fraxinus caroliniana Mill.), respectively. T. graminis resembles T. furcus in having a distinct anus, but T. graminis second-stage juveniles (J2) do not have a bifid tail. T. semipenetrans does not have a perceptible anus. The mature female of T. graminis has a mucronate pointed terminus while T. semipenetrans has a smooth and round terminus. T. graminis males have wider stylet knobs and basal bulb and a longer tail than T. semipenetrans males. T. graminis J2 have a longer posterior body portion (without large fat globules) than T. semipenetrans J2. T. palustris resembles T. semipenetrans in having an undetectable anus but differs by the short and conoid mature female postvulval section. The male of T. palustris has larger stylet knobs and basal bulb than those of T. semipenetrans and a bluntly rounded tail terminus, which is tapered in T. semipenetrans. T. palustris differs from T. furcus and T. graminis in having an undetectable anus, by the conoid postvulval section of mature females, by the shorter and rounded tail of males, and the shorter J2 posterior body section without large fat globules. T. graminis and T. palustris are parasites of indigenous flora of Florida.     

Heterodera achilleae n. sp. (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) from Yarrow in Yugoslavia

Heterodera achilleae n. sp., a member of the H. rostochiensis group, is described and illustrated from roots of yarrow, Achillea millefolium L. in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. This new, round-cyst species differs from closely related species especially as follows: (1) from H. leptonepia, by having stouter larvae (a = 21), with longer styler (25 μ), and with outlet of dorsal esophageal gland averaging 5.7 μ from base o f styler; (2) from H. millefolii, in having excretory pore at base of neck and small, straight vulval slit of 5 μ; (3) from H. rostochiensis, in having a B/A ratio (Granek''s ratio) of 1.6 ; (4) from H. tabacum, by longer female stylet, two annules on female head, and males with outlet of dorsal esophageal gland further back (5.7 μ). In addition, H. achilleae n. sp. differs from the latter three species in having prominent longitudinal striae on the anterior half, or more, of cysts and females.     

Histological Comparisons of Parasitism by Schistonchus spp. (Nemata: Aphelenchoididae) in Neotropical Ficus spp.

Syconia (enclosed infructescences) infested with host-specific species of Schistonchus (Aphelenchoididae) were collected from six species of Ficus (Moraceae) native to Florida or Panama. They were sectioned and histologically examined to assess the effects of parasitism. Parasitism by Schistonchus spp. was associated with hypertrophied cells, tissue necrosis, and the presence of an exudate in all species. Occasional hypertrophy of the outer epidermal cells occurred on seed florets, wasp florets, and on the endothecial cells of male florets in F. aurea (subgenus Urostigma) from Florida. Aberrations of the inner mesocarp occurred under the hypertrophied cells on seed florets. In F. laevigata (subgenus Urostigma) from Florida, Schistonchus sp. infested immature male florets and was associated with hypertrophy of endothecial cells, epidermal cells of the anther filaments, and anthers. Schistonchus sp. also caused aberrations of the anther filament, anthers, and pollen. Ficus poponoei (subgenus Urostigma) and F. glabrata (subgenus Pharmacosycea), both from Panama, had hypertrophied outer epidermal cells on seed florets. Ficus poponoei also had Schistonchus sp. within the pedicel of an aborted floret, with hypertrophy of the cortical parenchyma. Ficus trigonata (subgenus Urostigma) from Panama had hypertrophy of the outer epidermis of seed florets. When the outer epidermis on these florets was missing, the inner mesocarp was hypertrophied. Ficus maxima (subgenus Pharmacosycea) from Panama had hypertrophy on the outer epidermis of seed and aborted florets. Schistonchus spp. were not found in wasp larvae or pupae in any of the Ficus spp. examined. Hypertrophy was never observed in the absence of Schistonchus spp.