Steinernema brazilense n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from Mato Grosso, Brazil

A new entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema brazilense n. sp., was isolated from a single soil sample collected from a natural forest in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. S. brazilense n. sp. is characterized morphologically by features of infective juveniles (IJ), males and females. For the IJ, body length averaging 1157 (1023-1284) μm, distance from anterior end to excretory pore 95 (87-102) μm, from anterior end to end of esophagus 148 (139-153) μm, tail length 85 (80-104) μm, D% and E% values 63 (58-70) and 106 (95-118.0), respectively. Lateral field pattern variable; the formula for the arrangement of ridges from head to tail is: 2, 4, 6, 8, 6, 2. For the male, the diagnostic characters include spicule averaging 83 (75-89) μm; D% about 65; the ratio SW% about 192. The length of spicule head is greater than width. Lateral field with one narrow ridge. First generation females are characterized by the presence of a ventral postanal swelling. S. brazilense n. sp. is morphologically close to Steinernema diaprepesi. It can be differentiated from S.diaprepesi by its longer IJ body length (1157 vs 1002 μm), longer distance from anterior end to excretory pore (110 vs 75 μm), a longer tail length (103 vs 83 μm); males of the new species with longer spicule (83 vs 79 μm). The new species can be distinguished further from other members of Steinernema glaseri group by characteristics of rDNA of ITS and D2D3 regions.     

Pratylenchoides hispaniensis n. sp. (Nemata: Pratylenchidae)

Pratylenchoides hispaniensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from a bisexual population found in a natural habitat at Santa Elena, Jaen, central Spain. Its main distinctive characters are very long esophageal gland lobe (81-117 μm; N'' = 51-71) overlapping the intestine 3 to 5 times the body width; lateral field with six incisures; stylet knobs sloping posteriorly; labial disc encircled by the irregular sectors of the first annule; tail cylindrical, extremity annulated, and frequently with a slight dorsal indentation of the hyaline portion at the end of the lateral field. Pratylcnchoides hispaniensis n. sp. appears closely related to P. megalobatus and P. nevadensis. It differs from the former primarily by its longer body length (761-998 vs. 430-621 μm), longer stylet length (20.5-24.4 vs. 18-21 μm), six incisures in the lateral field vs. four for P. megalobatus, and posteriorly sloping stylet knobs vs. rounded or anteriorly flattened knobs in P. megalobatus. It differs from P. nevadensis mainly by the shape of the stylet knobs (sloping in P. hispaniensis vs. rounded in P. nevadensis), length of esophageal lobe (81-117 vs. 34-82 μm), and position of esophageal gland nuclei (all posterior to esophago-intestinal junction in P. hispaniensis vs. at least one nucleus anterior to junction in P. nevadensis).     

Description of Discocriconemella mineira n. sp. and D. degrissei Males from Brazil

A new species of Discocriconemella and the male of Discocriconemella degrissei are described from Minas Gerais state of Brazil. Discocriconemella mineira n. sp. differs from D. discolabia by having a longer stylet (61-71 vs. 35-47 μm) and fewer body annuli (78-88 vs. 155-174), and from D. inarata by the longer stylet (61-71 vs. 51-61 μm) and shorter body length (253-342 vs. 354-486 μm). It differs from D. persae by having a shorter stylet, fewer body annuli, and a shorter post vulval body portion (Rv = 6-7 vs. 14-20). Discocriconemella mineira can be separated from D. degrissei by the head disc which is round in D. mineira and quadrilobate in D. degrissei. Males of D. degrissei resemble those of D. retroversa.     

Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. (Nemata: Criconematidae) from Greece

Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. is described and illustrated from a bisexual population found in Filippias, Epirus, Greece, in the rhizosphere of giant reed (Arundo donax) and unidentified aquatic plants along the edge of irrigation canals. Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. is characterized by a long stylet (more than 120 µm), body length (L = 1,078-1,634 µm; R = 303-362), and lateral field marked by three lateral lines in females and four in males. The lip region is distinctive in that the female labial disc is oval and offset from the first lip region annule, and protrudes markedly; the male labial disc is very large, offset and rectangular, and protrudes distinctly. Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. resembles H. megalodiscus Loof by possession of a strongly protruding labial disc, but differs in having a longer female body, more body annules, longer stylet, and dorsally and ventrally indented head annules. The male labial plate is larger than in H. megalodiscus, and the male has four incisures in the lateral field vs. three in H. megalodiscus.     

Intraspecific Morphological Variation Among Populations of Pratylenchus brachyurus and P. coffeae

Three populations of Pratylenchus coffeae and two of P. brachyurus, each originating from a single female, were maintained on Citrus spp. or Solanum nigrum L. for several years under greenhouse conditions. Nematodes were extracted from roots, and adult female specimens were killed, fixed, and mounted in glycerine for microscopic study. Variables measured were distance between vulva and anus and lengths of the stylet, posterior uterine sac, and tail. The mean data and coefficients of variability suggest that styler length had the least variability, and length of posterior uterine sac the most. When males and distinct spermathecae are not evident in P. coffeae populations, the species can he distinguished from P. brachyurus by a shorter mean stylet length, longer mean posterior uterine sac length, and much longer distance between the vulva and anus.     

Three New Species of Heteroderoidea (Nematoda) from the Aleutian Islands

Three new species of Heteroderoidea are described from Adak and Amchitka Islands in the Aleutian chain. Second-stage juveniles of Thecavermiculatus crassicrustata, n. sp., differ from those of T. gracililancea Robbins by having longer stylets (40-45 μm vs 19-22 μm). The female of T. crassicrustata has a longer neck, a more posterior excretory pore, and lacks a posterior protuberance. Meloidodera eurytyla, n. sp., differs from other Meloidodera spp. in that second-stage juveniles have longer stylets (32-35 μm) and much more massive stylet knobs, while males have a longitudinally striated basal head annule. Meloidogyne subarctica, n. sp., can be separated from other Meloidogyne spp. by combinations of the following characteristics: perineal pattern with large oval areas in the tail region devoid of striae, arch with few unbroken striae; female excretory pore 1.5-2.5 × the stylet length from the anterior end; haploid chromosome number = 18; the spermatheca filled with sperm; stylet length of second-stage juveniles 13.5-15.4 μm.     

Descriptions of Three New Longidorus Species from Alaska (Nematoda: Longidoridae)

Three new Longidorus species, L. alaskaensis n. sp., L. paralaskaensis n. sp., and L. bernardi n. sp., are described from specimens collected near Fairbanks, Alaska. Longidorus alaskaensis differs from all species of Longidorus by the presence of a caecum-like structure situated at the reflex of the oviduct. Longidorus paralaskaensis most closely resembles L. alaskaensis n. sp., L. crassus Thorne, L. picenus Roca, Lamberti &Agostinelli, and L. silvae Roca, differing from the last three of these species by having a parallel vs. a tapered lip region, and from all four by having a more narrowly rounded tail tip. Longidorus paralaskaensis differs from L. alaskaensis by having a longer odontostyle (119-128 vs. 110-118 μm) and by lacking the caecum-like structure found at the reflex of the oviduct. Longidorus bernardi n. sp. most closely resembles L. mirus Khan, Chawla &Seshadri, from which it differs by having a longer tail with a more acutely rounded tip, a longer body length (3.5-4.6 vs. 3.0-3.6 μm), and a larger c'' value (1.6-1.8 vs. 1.3-1.6). Longidorus bernardi differs from L. sylphus Thorne, L. africanus Merny, L. auratus Jacobs &Heyns, and L. conicaudatus Khan by having a slightly expanded lip region vs. a lip region with parallel body walls and a more finely rounded tail tip.     

Margollus bokanicus n. sp. from Iran,the Fourth Species of a Rare Nematode Genus (Dorylaimida,Tylencholaimellidae)

Margollus bokanicus n. sp., collected from natural habitats in Khorasaneh district, Bokan, West Azarbaijan province, Iran, is described. Morphological and morphometric data are provided as well as drawings and light microscopy illustrations. The new species is characterized by a medium size body length (0.60 to 0.73 mm), labial and postlabial sclerotizations, lip region 7-μm wide, offset by constriction and long neck (167 to 207 μm), long pharyngeal basal bulb (27 to 36 μm) or 16% to 17% of total neck length, female genital system monodelphic–opisthodelphic, anterior branch reduced to a uterine sac (26–29 μm) or 1.1 to 1.3 times the body diameter, long posterior uterus (25–28 μm) or 1.1 to 1.3 times the body diameter, V = 40 to 47, cylindroid female tail (17 to 24 μm, c = 31 to 38, c’ = 1.1 to 1.4), and males unknown. This taxon is easily distinguishable from other Margollus species by its smaller general size and more posterior vulva. A compendium of Margollus species is also presented.     

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.     

中国滑刃属一新种记述(滑刃目,滑刃科)

2001～2002年从山东省青州市韭菜Allium tuberosum的根际土壤中发现滑刃属Aphelenchoides1新种,定名为韭菜滑刃线虫Aphelenchoides alliussp.nov.。该虫具有以下特征:虫体大型;唇区缢缩,口针较长,无口针基部球;侧区具有6条侧线;生殖系统发育良好,卵巢具1～2个转折,卵母细胞单列;尾细锥形,末端收缩呈细指状,平截,刺状尾尖突生于其上;雄虫常见,尾钩状,末端具刺状尾尖突,交合刺典型,顶尖和喙突明显。已报道种中有8个种与新种相似,其中5个种虫体体长较短,小于500μm,易与新种分开,它们是:细尖滑刃线虫A.conimucronatus(L=280～440μm),高头滑刃线虫A.editocaputis(L=270～320μm),高山滑刃线虫A.montanus(L=390～400μm),稀少滑刃线虫A.rarus(L=300～320μm),沃恩滑刃线虫A.vaughani(L=360～430μm)。另3个种与新种相比较:中心滑刃线虫A.centralis侧线4条,尾巴较长,雄虫不常见;陶比恰滑刃线虫A.daubichaensis侧线4条,口针较短且有小的基部球,后阴子宫囊较短,卵巢无转折;一点红滑刃线虫A.emiliae口针基部球发达,中食道球椭圆形,更大19μm×15μm,后阴子宫囊较短。     

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.     

Scolecenchelys fuscogularis (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae, Myrophinae), a new worm eel from Japan

A new species of worm eel (Ophichthidae, subfamily Myrophinae), Scolecenchelys fuscogularis, is described from two specimens collected at 90–147 m depth off the coast of Japan. The new species is characterized by its dorsal-fin origin, which is located posterior to a vertical through the anus, its high total number of vertebrae (146–149), and its uniserial dentition on jaws and vomer. The new species is similar to Scolecenchelys australis and Scolecenchelys tasmaniensis in having 148–152 total and 60–61 preanal vertebrae and its uniserial teeth, but can be distinguished from the latter two species as it has a larger head [8.5–8.8 % of total length (TL) vs. 7.8–8.3 %], a longer trunk (39 % TL vs. 34–35 %), and a shorter tail (52–53 % TL vs. 56–58 %). Although S. fuscogularis most resembles Scolecenchelys chilensis in having 146–159 total and 59–64 preanal vertebrae and uniserial teeth, as well as in the proportions of the head, trunk and tail, the new species differs from the latter in having a smaller head (8.5–8.8 % TL vs. 8.9–9.7 %), a more slender body (body depth 1.5–1.6 % TL vs. 2.3–2.9 %), a more posterior dorsal-fin origin (horizontal distance between the origin and a vertical through the anus 83 % of head length vs. 36–54 %), no groove on the ventral side of its snout, and a dark lower jaw with a patch of melanophores on the ventral side of its branchial basket.     

Plagioporus wataugaensis n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) infecting intestine of northern hogsucker,Hypentelium nigricans,and white sucker,Catostomus commersonii, (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from the eastern USA,including an emended diagnosis,key to Nearctic congeners,and phylogenetic analysis

We describe a new species of Plagioporus Stafford, 1904 infecting the intestine of two catostomids in the eastern USA. We emend Plagioporus to account for Nearctic congeners having ceca terminating at the level of the testes (previously diagnosed as having ceca terminating in the post-testicular space only) and testes in the posterior body extremity (a feature not previously considered as having generic importance). Of the accepted Nearctic species, Plagioporus wataugaensis n. sp. resembles Plagioporus serotinus Stafford, 1904, Plagioporus hypentelii Hendrix, 1973, and Plagioporus hageli Fayton and Andres, 2016 but differs from them by the distribution of the vitellarium and proportional length and relative extent of the excretory vesicle. Plagioporus wataugaensis has vitelline fields that are discontinuous at the level of the ventral sucker (vs. continuous in P. serotinus and P. hypentelii) and follicles that surround the ceca (vs. wholly ventral to the ceca in P. hageli) and that span the midline dorsal to the testes (vs. slightly overlapping the lateral margins of the testes). The excretory vesicle of P. wataugaensis is wholly post-testicular and short (6–9% of the body length) (vs. reaching the level of the posterior testis, 14–24% of the body length). Phylogenetic analyses of the 28S, ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 rDNA recovered P. wataugaensis sister to Plagioporus sinitsini Mueller, 1934. A key to the Nearctic Plagioporus spp. is provided. We regard Plagioporus shawi (McIntosh, 1939) Margolis, 1970, Plagioporus serratus Miller, 1940, and Plagioporus loboides (Curran, Overstreet, and Tkach, 2007) Fayton and Andres, 2016 as incertae sedis.     

Brachydorus swarupi sp. n. (Nematoda: Dolichodorinae) from Soil about Roots of Arecanut Palm in Kerala State,India

Brachydorus swarupi sp. n. is described from soil about roots of arecanut palm in Kerala State, India. It is the second species to be described in Brachydorus De Guiran and Germani 1968 and differs from B. tenuis, the type species, by its greater length (1.52-2.34 mm for B. swarupi vs. 1.03-1.32 mm for B. tenuis); longer and more delicate stylet (26-35 μm for B. swarupi vs. 20-23 μm for B. tenuis); head shape with concave protrusion at oral aperture (simple rounded in B. tenuis); shorter isthmus and larger posterior bulb in B. swarupi; shorter tail (in B. tenuis c = 9.7 [8.6-11.5] in female, c = 42.3 [33-48] in male); larger spicules and gubernaculum (22-39 μm and 9 -1 2 μm, respectively, for B. tenuis); and phasmids near posterior connection of caudalalae and tail (almost central on caudalalae of B. tenuis). The relationship of Brachydorus to Dolichodorus is discussed.     

Two new feather mites of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Proctophyllodes</Emphasis> Robin, 1868 (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from European passerines (Aves: Passeriformes)

Two new species of the feather mite genus Proctophyllodes Robin, 1868 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) are described from two passerine birds (Passeriformes) in Europe: Proctophyllodes markovetsi n. sp. from the tawny pipit Anthus campestris (L.) (Motacillidae) and P. loxiae n. sp. from the red crossbill Loxia curvirostra (L.) (Fringillidae). Males of P. markovetsi are most clearly distinguished from the closely related P. tchagrae Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by having greater terminal lamellae (30–40 × 20–25 µm), the tips of genital arch curved medially, and the corolla of the anal sucker with 14–15 denticles; females of this species are characterised by the terminal appendages distinctly longer than the lobar region width. Males of P. loxiae differ from the closest species, P. fuchsi Mironov, 1997, by having smaller terminal lamellae (45–50 × 22–28 μm), the genital organ extending beyond the posterior margin of lamellae by half their length; females can be distinguished by having the terminal cleft noticeably wider than long (28–30 × 35–40 μm).     

Sexual maturation and morphological development of the reproductive tract in large white and prolific Chinese Meishan pigs

Body weight of Large White gilts was greater at birth, weaning, 5 months of age and at slaughter; however, Meishan gilts reached puberty at an earlier age (91 +/- 2 vs 192 +/- 3 days, P less than 0.01), had longer periods of oestrus (60 +/- 2 vs 49 +/- 2 h, P less than 0.01) and experienced more oestrous cycles (7 +/- 0.4 vs 4 +/- 0.4, P less than 0.01) before slaughter. The interoestrous interval was longer (P less than 0.01) for Large White gilts (19.8 +/- 0.2 vs 19.1 +/- 0.2 days). At slaughter, uterine length (P less than 0.05), uterine weight, width of uterine horns, endometrial surface area, endometrial weight and percentage of uterine weight represented by endometrium was greater (P less than 0.01) for Large White gilts. However, breed differences were not significant when slaughter weight was included in analyses as a covariate. This indicated that development of the reproductive tract was proportionate to body weight at slaughter for each breed. When body weight at slaughter was included as a covariate, effects of day of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy on uterine width, uterine weight, endometrial surface area and endometrial weight were detected (P less than 0.01) and for uterine length there was a day-by-status interaction (P less than 0.01). Total number of CL (P less than 0.05) and total ovarian weight (P less than 0.05) were also greater for Large White gilts independent of body weight at slaughter. There were more CL in left ovaries for Meishan (8.1 +/- 0.4 vs 6.6 +/- 0.4) and Large White (8.4 +/- 0.4 vs 7.9 +/- 0.5) gilts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Xiphinema llanosum and Trophurus vultus, Two New Plant Nematode Species from Pasture Soils in Colombia

Xiphinema llanosum n. sp. and Trophurus vultus n. sp. are described and illustrated from grass soils in Llanos Orientales, Colombia. Xiphinema llanosum is a bisexual species. The female body length is 2.3-2.7 mm, odontostyle 86-96 μm, and odontophore 58-65 μm long; vulva at 42-47%; anterior ovary is absent; the anterior uterus and oviduct are similar to the posterior branch but slightly reduced; and the tail is dorsally convex-conoid with a blunt hemispherical terminus. Male body length is 2.06-2.96 mm; spicules are 40-44 μm long; and four (rarely three or five) anterior ventromedian supplementary papillae are present. Trophurus vultus females are 0.52-0.67 mm long; vulva at 56-60%; stylet is 10.5-13.5 μm long; isthmus is as long as the basal esophageal bulb; the tail is subclavate, 1.6-2.2 times anal body width long; and the terminal cuticle thickness is about one-sixth of the tail length.     

Five new species of Dicerapanorpa Zhong & Hua (Mecoptera,Panorpidae) from Yunnan,China

Five new scorpionfly species of the genus Dicerapanorpa Zhong and Hua, 2013 are described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, China. Dicerapanorpa macula sp. n. can be readily recognized by all branches of paramere parallel, basal and mesal branches extending well beyond basal process of gonostylus in male, and posterior arm of medigynium short and stout in female. Dicerapanorpa deqenensis sp. n. is characterized by basal branch of paramere as long as lateral branch and ventral valve of aedeagus nearly reaching apex of gonocoxite in male, and medigynium with paired auricular lateral processes in female. Dicerapanorpa tanae sp. n. is unique by genital bulb broad and spherical, basal branch of paramere short, and lateral branches curved convergently and parallel apically in male, and main plate of medigynium rounded in female. Dicerapanorpa tenuis sp. n. is distinguishable by hypovalve with largely expanded and inward curved apex and all branches of paramere reaching or exceeding apex of gonocoxite in male, and medigynium slender in female. Dicerapanorpa zhongdianensis sp. n. is characterized by basal branches of paramere parallel and mesal branches curved convergently in male, and main plate of medigynium subtriangular with a pair of auricular lateral processes in female. The species number of Dicerapanorpa is increased to thirteen.LSID: www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A4490511-C475-4C5B-9E89-4BF4EBAA2137     

Phylogenetic affinities of Plagiocirrus Van Cleave and Mueller, 1932 with the description of a new species from the Pascagoula River, Mississippi

Plagiocirrus loboides n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) is described from Fundulus nottii, F. dispar blairae, F. chrysotus, and Notemigonus crysoleucas from the Pascagoula River in Mississippi. Plagiocirrus loboides differs from P. primus Van Cleave and Mueller, 1932, by having a longer postcecal space (14-25% of body length vs. about 7%); a more anterior vitellarium (extending at least to the middle of the ventral sucker vs. to its posterior margin); and larger eggs (51-71 microm long by 23-34 microm wide vs. 40-55 microm long by 30-35 microm wide). Plagiocirrus loboides differs from P. testeus Fritts, 1959, by having a long postcecal space (vs. < 5% of body length); irregular, oblique, contiguous testes (vs. strongly lobed, well separated, tandem testes); and a more extensive vitellarium. Plagiocirrus loboides differs from both congeners by having an ovary comprised of 3 or 4 distinct lobes rather than having an entire ovary. Plagiocirrus wuyienensis Wang, 1981, from Hemimyzon zebroidus in Fujian Province, China, is herein considered a species inquirenda because it has a Y-shaped excretory bladder. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA gene fragments from P. loboides and 17 digenean species demonstrates that Plagiocirrus belongs in Opecoelidae.