Description of Ektaphelenchus cupressi n. sp. (Nematoda: Ektaphelenchinae) from Iran

Abstract

Summary Ektaphelenchus cupressi n. sp. was isolated during a survey of nematodes associated with bark samples of a dead cypress tree (Cupressus sempervirens) in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The new species is characterised by a female body length of 612 (520-693) μm, stylet 17-19 μm long with wide lumen and lacking basal swellings, head region hemispherical in lateral view and slightly offset from the body contour by a shallow constriction, three incisures in the lateral field, excretory pore situated anterior to level of metacorpus valve, hemizonid not seen, post-uterine sac 29-35 μm long, shape of the tail terminus, and arrangement of the male caudal papillae. By a combination of morphological characters, e.g., stylet without knobs or swellings at the base, short conical tail, PUS length, and only a vestigial anus and rectum in most individuals, the new species shares similarities with species belonging to three genera, i.e., Anomyctus, Ektaphelenchus, and Seinura. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit (SSU) and partial large subunit (LSU) sequences of rDNA confirmed its status as a new species.