Description of Aphelenchoides roulingae n. sp. (Tylenchomorpha: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Xylocopa collaris sauteri collected from Yilan, Taiwan, with some notes on A. xylocopae Kanzaki, 2006

Abstract

Summary Aphelenchoides roulingae n. sp. is described and illustrated. This new species was isolated from Xylocopa collaris sauteri collected at Fushan, Yilan county, Taiwan. Typologically, the new species is characterised by a three-lined lateral field, conical female tail with various and not pointed termini, male spicule with well-developed and slightly dorsally truncate condylus, blunt triangular-shaped rostrum and unevenly ventrally curved dorsal contour of the spicule blade (calomus-lamina complex). The combination of typological characters of the new species is unique. Aphelenchoides roulingae n. sp. shares the three-lined lateral field and female tail shape with ‘A. helicus’, which was previously transferred to Robustodorus from Aphelenchoides, but can be differentiated from that species by its longer and more slender female tail, narrower female tail tip, and longer female stylet. In addition, the spicule morphology of A. roulingae n. sp. is unique and not similar to that of any other Aphelenchoides species. Phylogenetically, the new species forms a well-supported clade with the other Xylocopa bee-associated species, A. xylocopae, but can be typologically and molecularly distinguished from the species. In addition to the taxonomic description, some typological characters of the genus Aphelenchoides are discussed.