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The identity and evolutionary relationships of the genus Rhyssocolpus are analysed and discussed using an integrative approach including morphological data and partial SSU-rDNA sequences. An Iberian population of R. iuventutis is characterised in detail, providing the first SEM observations of the genus. New sequences of the genera Enchodelus and Rhyssocolpus are provided for comparative purposes. Both morphological and molecular evidence support a separate status for the aforementioned two genera and Heterodorus, of which the latter and Rhyssocolpus shared a recent common ancestor, whereas Enchodelus did not, as had been traditionally assumed, occupy a close position. The Nordiidae is confirmed to be an artificial taxon. The taxonomy of Rhyssocolpus is revised and an emended diagnosis, updated list of species, key to their identification and compendium of their morphometrics are provided. Some nomenclatorial changes are also proposed: R. alleni and R. paradoxus are retained under Eudorylaimus, their original genus, whereas R. brasiliensis is transferred to Eudorylaimus as E. brasiliensis (Meyl, 1956) comb. n.

Descriptions of three known species of Cynura, i.e., C. cerambus, C. klunderi and C. papillata, are given, including SEM micrographs of C. cerambus and a tabular compendium for all species of the genus. The phylogenetic relationships of C. klunderi are inferred from molecular data. Bayesian analyses of small subunit (SSU) of rRNA sequences support a position nested among the Plectidae suggesting the secondary simplification in the morphology of pharyngeal valvular apparatus in Cynura and the ‘return’ from a terrestrial to a marine environment in this genus.

This contribution presents a study of Iberian and Californian populations of Aporcelaimellus simplex, including morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The species is characterised and distinguished by its lip region offset by an expansion, pars refringens vaginae absent, and conical tail with a small but distinct hyaline terminal portion. No significant difference exists between American and European populations. Molecular data and the derived evolutionary tree show a topology in which this species forms a well-supported group with members of Discolaiminae, far from other representatives of Aporcelaimellus. Putting special emphasis in the absence of pars refringens vaginae, A. simplex is transferred to the genus Aporcella. The taxonomy of this genus is revised in depth, with the proposal of an emended diagnosis, the provision of a list of 13 valid species (mostly new combinations from Aporcelaimellus) as well as a key to their identification and a compendium of their main morphometrics. Aporcella debruinae sp. n. is proposed for Aporcelaimellus papillatus apud de Bruin & Heyns, 1992.

Abstract An identification key to ten valid species of Paurodontella is given. A compendium of the most important diagnostic characters with illustrations of each species is included as a practical alternative and supplement to the key. The diagnosis of Paurodontella is emended and a list of all valid species of the genus is given. Two new species (Paurodontella myceliophaga n. sp. and P. balochistanica n. sp.) collected around the roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan, Pakistan, are described and illustrated. Paurodontella myceliophaga n. sp. is characterised by having a short post-uterine sac, lateral field with four incisures, excretory pore at the base of the pharynx and fusiform median bulb, whereas P. balochistanica n. sp. has a longer and very slender body with posterior vulva, lateral field with four incisures and short mucronate tail. Because these species are limited in distribution, their importance is not known.

New observations on three similar species of the genus Enchodelus, namely E. groenlandicus, E. macrodorus and E. saxifragae, are provided on the basis of material collected in the southern Iberian Peninsula. Enchodelus groenlandicus is redescribed, this being the first record of the species after its original description 80 years ago. An emended diagnosis is given for E. macrodorus in addition to a compendium and analysis of its previous records. Enchodelus saxifragae, certainly the most widely distributed species in the studied area, is also redescribed. Measurements, illustrations, including LM and SEM, and remarks on the identity of the three species, are presented. Together with E. distinctus and E. microdoroides, the three species form a species group characterised by a long odontostyle (>35 μm), flanged odontophore, tripartite uterus and short, rounded tail. These five species are compared in detail and a key to their identification provided.

Abstract An identification key to 32 valid species of stunt nematodes (Merlinius spp.) is given. A compendium of the most important diagnostic characters for use in identification of species is included as a practical alternative and supplement to the key. The diagnosis of Merlinius is emended and a list of all valid species of the genus is given. The characters most useful for separating species include body and stylet lengths, shape of head, tail and tail terminus, number of head and tail annules, position of vulva (V), and c′ ratio in females. Also useful are length and shape of spicules and gubernacula in males. A new stunt nematode, Merlinius khuzdarensis n. sp., from the rhizosphere of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from Khuzdar, Balochistan Province, Pakistan, is described and illustrated. This new species resembles M. bavaricus, M. communicus, M. bilqeesae and M. montanus, but differs from these species by the following: body and stylet length, shape of head, tail and tail terminus, number of head and tail annules, and position of phasmids. Because this species is limited in distribution, its economic importance in date palm and other cultivated crops within the region is not known.

Carcharolaimus ramirezi was found in six soil samples from four islands of the Galápagos Archipelago. It is described for the first time since its original discovery, with particular emphasis on the morphology of its anterior end as seen under light microscope and SEM. Six large, but thin, liplets overhang the labial basket, which consists of thick plates ornamented with irregular ridges and denticles. Posterior to the labial basket, six pillars form a postlabial cage and provide attachment for eight dilatatores buccae. The species can survive desiccation and is probably well adapted to arid soils. Paratypes of C. bediensis were also studied and revealed that this species is actually synonymous with C. banaticus, rather than being very close to C. ramirezi as suggested by previous descriptions. The recently proposed genus Carcharodiscus is rejected, and the possible synonymy of Carcharolaimus with the senior genus Antholaimus is noted. A compendium to the genus Carcharolaimus is provided.

Abundant material of the nematode species Chitwoodiellus parafuscus (Peña-Santiago, 1991) Jiménez-Guirado & PeñaSantiago, 1992 collected from 17 localities in the south east of the Iberian Peninsula has been studied. Wide intraspecific variability in its measurements and ratios has been noted and analysed. Some of its morphological features are re-examined and revised, and a new concept of the species is proposed. SEM illustrations of this species, and also of the genus, are provided for the first time. Finally, a new diagnosis of the genus Chitwoodiellus and a compendium of its species are given.

The genus Criconemoides is diagnosed and lists are given of the valid species with their synonyms, of species inquirendae vel dubiae and of departures. The main diagnostic features of the species included are presented in tabular form.

Nematology , 2011, Vol. 13(4), 501-503 Book review W A S I M A HMAD AND M. S H A M I M J A I R A J P U R I . Mononchida. The predatory soil nematodes. Nematology Monographs and Perspectives, Volume 7 (Series Editors: David J. Hunt and Roland N. Perry). Leiden-Boston, Brill, 2010, 298 pp. ISBN 978-90-04-17464-1. Price: € 134, US$198. The group of predatory soil nematodes, order Mononchida, commonly known as mononchs, has in- spired several scientists to study them, but a compre- hensive review of the whole large group has long been awaited. Now, Profs Ahmad and Jairajpuri have presented us with an excellent book that includes the history, mor- phology, ecology and taxonomy of this so characteris- tic and fascinating company of free-living nematodes. Both authors, leaders in nematode taxonomy in India, are renowned experts in the field who have been studying the predatory nematodes for many years and have published a great number of valuable papers on the theme. The present book is dedicated to Dr N. A. Cobb (1859- 1932), pioneer of our science, and often called the ‘Fa- ther’ of nematology, in appreciation of his great services in studying nematodes, particularly the mononchs. The book is not a pure compilation, but a very complete compendium based on the personal expertise of its au- thors. It is an omniscient collection of all that we should know about Mononchida. After Forewords by two Euro- pean nematologists and a Preface by the authors them- selves, the corpus of the book consists of nine main chapters. 1. Introduction (19 pages) presents what the mononchs are, gives a historical view of the correspond- ing literature and discusses the phylogenetic relations of the group. 2. Morphology (23 pages) contains very detailed information on all the body structures, exter- nal and internal, of our animals. 3. Order Mononchida (6 pages) provides an outline classification, dividing the order into two suborders, Mononchina and Bathyodon- tina, and into two superfamilies each, Mononchoidea, Anatonchoidea and Cryptonchoidea, Mononchuloidea, respectively. Chapters 4 to 8 treat the five families of the suborder Mononchina: Mononchidae, Mylonchuli- dae, Cobbonchidae, Anatonchidae and Iotonchidae. This main section of the book (142 pages) contains for each family keys to subfamilies and genera, diagnoses for generic and suprageneric taxa, and for each genus a list of valid species as well as a key to them. These keys contain not only main distinguishing characters, but also the de Manian values and distribution data. In addition, each genus is defined by an essential descrip- tion of its type species. Chapters 4 to 8 discuss all the genera of Mononchina regarded valid by the authors, 45 in number. They are as follows. Family Mononchidae: Mononchus , Paramononchus , Nigronchus , Prionchulus , Clarkus , Coomansus and Parkellus ; family Mylonchul- idae: Mylonchulus , Brachonchulus , Margaronchulus , Oligonchulus , Polyonchulus , Megaonchulus , Paramy- lonchulus , Crestonchulus , Margaronchuloides (new genus), Sporonchulus , Granonchulus , Judonchulus , Pri- onchuloides and Actus ; family: Cobbonchidae: Cob- bonchus , Comiconchus , Tricaenonchus and Cobbonchu- lus ; family Anatonchidae: Anatonchus , Tigronchoides , Truxonchus , Micatonchus , Miconchus , Crassibucca , Paracrassibucca , Promiconchus and Doronchus ; fam- ily Iotonchidae: Iotonchus , Jensenonchus , Caputonchus , Mulveyellus , Nullonchus , Iotonchulus , Hadronchus , Pri- onchulellus , Parahadronchus , Hadronchulus and Hadron- choides. Chapter 9 (19 pages) treats the suborder Bathyo- dontina in a similar fashion to the Mononchina. The four genera discussed belong to three families as follows. Fam- ily Cryptonchidae: Cryptonchus ; family Bathyodontidae: Bathyodontus ; family Mononchulidae: Mononchulus and Oionchus . The morphological-taxonomical chapters are followed by an Addendum (6 pages) containing species with their main morphological data that were either over- looked or subsequently described. The book ends with a very rich bibliography (23 pages) and an index to taxa (ten pages). A great number of carefully selected drawings and mi- crophotographs colour both the morphological and taxo- nomical sections. This volume is the seventh in the series Nematology Monographs and Perspectives , edited with great expertise by Drs David J. Hunt and Roland N. Perry. It is well produced, thanks to the publisher, Brill, and bound in hardcover which is ornamented by a fine draw- ing (an Iotonchus) after Cobb. The only negative that may be mentioned is that because of the tight binding the book can barely be kept open. Mononchida is an excellent guide for scientists inter- ested in Nematoda, but, in particular, for those who have to study and identify predatory nematodes. It richly de- serves a place on the desk and is thoroughly recommended for all nematologists. Profs Ahmad and Jairajpuri must be complimented on their very well written and important contribution to our science. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011 DOI:10.1163/138855411X559267 Also available online - www.brill.nl/nemy 501

Abstract A general study of the morphology, evolutionary trends and intrageneric taxonomy of the genus Tylencholaimellus Cobb in M. V. Cobb, 1915 is presented. Variability of its main morphological features is described and illustrated, and their possible evolutionary trends are discussed. The subgenera Tylencholaimellus (Tylencholaimellus) Cobb in M. V. Cobb, 1915 and Tylencholaimellus (Coronatylencholaimellus) Jairajpuri & Ahmad, 1992 are considered synonyms, and consequently not retained. A diagnosis of the genus, a list of its species and a polytomous key to the species are given. Le genre Tylencholaimellus Cobb in M. V. Cobb, 1915 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida): morphologie generale, taxonomie, compendium et clef polytomique des especes - Une etude generale de la morphologie, des tendances evolutives et de la taxonomie intragenerique du genre Tylencholaimellus Cobb in M. V. Cobb, 1915 est presentee. La variabilite de principales caracteristiques morphologiques du genre est decrite et illustree et leurs tendances evolutives possibles sont discutees. Les sous-genres Tylencholaimellus (Tylencholaimellus) Cobb in M. V. Cobb, 1915 et Tylencholaimellus (Coronatylencholaimellus) Jairajpuri & Ahmad, 1992 sont consideres comme synonymes et en consequence non conserves. Une diagnose du genre ainsi qu'une liste et une clef polytomique de ses especes sont donnees.