Steinernema shorin. sp., a new entomopathogenic nematode (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) from India

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, morphological and molecular features were used to identify a newSteinernemasp. from Chhattisgarh, India. Morphological and molecular features provide evidence for placing the new species into the “bicornutum”clade. The new species is characterized by the following morphological features: infective juveniles with a body length of 587 (494–671) μm; a distance from the anterior end to excretory pore of 46 (43–50) μm; a distance from anterior end to nerve ring of 72 μm (61–85 μm); andE% of 88 (77–97). The first-generation males are characterised by 27 genital papillae and very short spicules, with a length of 61 μm (53–67) μm. TheSW% andGS% ratio ofS. shorin. sp. are 139 (107–190) and 75 (62–90), respectively. The new species is further characterized by sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and partial 28S regions of the ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic analyses show thatS. shorin. sp. is most closely related toS. abbasi, S. kandii,andS. yirgalemense.