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Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are the most destructive nematode species in main pistachio cultivation areas of Iran, and adversely affect crop quality and yield. So far, Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica have been reported infecting pistachio. In this study, four populations of M. arenaria were found infecting pistachio in Kerman and Khorasan Razavi provinces. The morphology and morphometrics of the recovered populations closely match the data given for other populations of the species. Molecular characterization of the recovered populations was performed by sequencing three genomic and mitochondrial regions, including D2-D3 of LSU rDNA, COII-16S and Nad5 mtDNA. The D2-D3 sequences had more than 99% identity with many sequences of tropical species. The COII-16S sequences had more than 99% identity with sequences of M. arenaria, M. morocciensis and M. thailandica. The Nad5 sequences had 99.81% identity with some sequences of M. arenaria. The D2-D3 and COII-16S sequences of M. arenaria did not form independent clades in corresponding Bayesian trees, but Nad5 sequences formed a monophyletic group in corresponding phylogeny. Based on this study, M. arenaria is present in Iran’s pistachio gardens, necessitating appropriate management measures.

Nothotylenchus savadkoohensis n. sp. was recovered from rotten wood samples of an unidentified forest tree in the Mazandaran province and described herein. It is mainly characterized by an elongated conoid tail ending in a sharply pointed tip and four lines in the lateral field. Females of the new species have 379–662 μm long bodies with 5.8–6.9 μm long stylets ending in fine posteriorly sloping knobs, the metacorpus not valvate, the pharyngeal bulb slightly overlapping the intestine, and the vulva at 76.5–84.0% of body length. Males are also common and have 13.0–14.5 μm long spicules and bursa cloacal. By having an elongated conoid tail and four lines in the lateral field, the new species comes close to four known species, namely N. acris, N. acutus, N. antricolus, and N. truncatus. The morphological differences between the new species and the abovementioned species are discussed. The new species was sequenced for its D2–D3 segment of LSU and ITS rDNA regions. In the LSU phylogenetic tree, the currently available LSU sequences of the genus Nothotylenchus occupied distant placements from each other and the LSU sequence of the new species formed clade with a sequence assigned to Neotylenchus sp. In ITS phylogeny, the newly generated sequence of the new species formed a clade with a clade that includes sequences of Ditylenchus sp. and Neomisticius platypi and N. variabilis.

During a nematological survey in southern Iran, a population belonging to the family Tylenchidae was recovered from a tomato field in Bushehr province. The recovered population belongs to the genus Filenchus, was described and illustrated herein as F. multistriatus n. sp. It is mainly characterized by having a wide and low annulated lip region continuous with adjacent body; amphidial openings confined to the labial plate; four lines in lateral fields forming three bands, with the two outer bands broken by transverse, and the inner one broken by both transverse and longitudinal lines; and median bulb oval with visible valve and elongate-conoid tail uniformly and gradually narrowing toward the distal region, ending in a widely rounded tip. Its morphological and morphometric differences with three closely similar species were discussed. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant genera and species were reconstructed using partial sequences of small, and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU rDNA) sequences. Morphometric and morphological data were also provided for an Iranian population of F. sandneri recovered from Bushehr province. Both populations were characterised using SEM data.

A new species from the family Tylenchidae was recovered in the grasslands of Isfahan province, Iran, and is herein described based on morphological and molecular data. Ottolenchus isfahanicus n. sp. is mainly characterized by having a faintly annulated cuticle; elongated, slightly sigmoid amphidial apertures developed metacorpus with distinct valve under LM; vulva located at 69.472.3% of body length; large spermatheca about 2.75 times of corresponding body width; and elongated conoid tail with broadly rounded tip. SEM observations showed that the lip region is smooth; the amphidial apertures are elongated, slightly sigmoid slits; and the lateral field is a simple band. It is further characterized by 477-to-515-μm-long females with delicate 5.7-to-6.9-μm-long stylets with small, slightly posteriorly sloping knobs, as well as functional males, in the population. The new species closely resembles O. facultativus, but is separated from it based on morphological and molecular data. It was further morphologically compared with O. discrepans, O. fungivorus, and O. sinipersici. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant genera and species were reconstructed using near-full-length sequences of small subunit and D2-D3 expansion segments of large subunit (SSU and LSU D2-D3). In the inferred SSU phylogeny, the newly generated sequence of Ottolenchus isfahanicus n. sp. formed a clade with two sequences of O. sinipersici and sequences assigned to O. facultativus and O. fungivorus. In the inferred LSU phylogeny, the three newly generated sequences of the new species and LSU sequences of O. sinipersici and O. discrepans formed a clade.

A population of Deladenus, representing a new species, was recovered from Bonab’s Ghara-Gheshlagh lagoon. It is mainly characterized by having a long body (1051–1185 μm), long distance of anterior end to pharyngeal glands end (270–312 μm), six lines in lateral fields, and a short mucro-like differentiation on the tail tip. Furthermore, it has a small-sized stylet (8.5–11.0 μm) with three knobs, no postvulval uterine sac, and males with 24- to 28-μm-long tylenchoid spicules and penial tube. With six lateral lines, the new species is comparable with seven species of the genus: D. apopkaetus, D. brevis, D. cocophilus, D. durus, D. obtusicaudatus, D. processus, and D. ulani. It was furthermore compared with D. oryzae with an unknown number of lateral lines and D. aridus, D. obesus, and D. parvus having a different number of lateral lines but similar morphology. In the molecular phylogenic analyses using small and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU D2-D3 rDNA) sequences, the relationships of the new species with other species and genera were not resolved in SSU phylogeny. However, it formed a clade with Deladenus sp. and D. brevis in LSU phylogeny.

Pistachio yield is annually reduced due to root-knot nematode infections. In order to evaluate its resistance to Meloidogyne javanica, three domestic pistachio rootstocks, namely, Badami, Ghazvini and Sarakhs, and a wild pistachio, Baneh (Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica), were selected. Their response to the nematode infection was evaluated based on different plant and nematode indexes, 120 days post-inoculation (dpi). The penetration and development rate of nematode in roots of these four pistachio rootstocks were evaluated at different time points by acid fuchsin staining. Based on the measured indexes, Badami, Ghazvini, Sarakhs, and Baneh rootstocks ranked as susceptible, moderately resistant, moderately resistant, and resistant, respectively. The penetration rate of second-stage nematode juveniles (J2) into four rootstocks was discussed. The first “midstage” or swollen juveniles appeared at 4 dpi but to a lesser extent in Ghazvini, Sarakhs, and Baneh cultivars. The first females were seen in Badami at 21 dpi, in Ghazvini and Sarakhs at 35 dpi, and in Baneh at 45 dpi. Three types of defense responses were distinguished and characterized in the examined pistachio rootstocks: (i) a hypersensitive response (HR)-like reaction in the cortex in Ghazvini, Sarakhs, and Baneh root tips at 4 dpi and 6 dpi; (ii) an HR response, degrading J2 which induce giant cells in the vascular cylinder of all rootstocks, at 6 dpi and 10 dpi; and (iii) an HR response, degrading females and giant cells in the vascular cylinder of all rootstocks at 15 dpi onward. These observations open new fields of study in breeding programs of this crop.

A new species of the genus Boleodorus, recovered from southern Iran, is described and illustrated based upon morphological and molecular data. B. bushehrensis n. sp. is mainly characterized by having a wide and low cephalic region (which is continuous with the adjacent body), the oral aperture in a depression in side view under a light microscope, four lines in the lateral field, weak metacorpus with a vestigial-to-invisible valve, and short (26–38 mm long) hooked tail with rounded tip. The females are 334–464 mm long and have a spherical spermatheca filled with spheroid sperm; males have 11.5- to 12.0-mm-long spicules and weakly developed bursa. The new species has an annulated low cephalic region, four large cephalic papillae, and small crescent-shaped amphidial openings when observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its morphological and morphometric differences with seven known species are discussed. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant genera and species have been studied using partial sequences of small and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU rDNA). In both the SSU and LSU phylogenies, the sequences of B. bushehrensis n. sp. and other Boleodorus spp. formed a clade. A second species, B. thylactus, when studied under SEM, has a raised, smooth cephalic region, four large cephalic papillae, and oblique amphidial slits, with the oral opening in a depression.

Using integrated pest management without relying on chemical pesticides is one of the most attractive approaches to controlling plant pathogens. Among them, using resistant cultivars or rootstocks against diseases in combination with beneficial microorganisms has attracted special attention. The citrus nematode is one of the major constraints of citrus cultivation worldwide. We showed that the mycorrhizal arbuscular fungus, Funneliformis mosseae , increased growth parameters including shoot and root length and biomass of two main rootstocks of citrus, sour orange and Volkamer lemon, in noninfected and infected plants with citrus nematode. It decreased the infection rate by citrus nematode in both rootstocks compared with nonmycorrhizal plants. The rate of decrease in nematode infection was highest when plants were pre-inoculated with F. mosseae and was lowest when nematode was inoculated before F. mosseae. However, when nematode was inoculated before the fungus, the fungus was still able to mitigate the negative effect of infection by nematode compared with plants inoculated with nematode only. This suggests that the timing of inoculation plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of F. mosseae in reducing nematode infection. Moreover, monitoring of the expression of two genes, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and β -1,3-glucanase , which are involved in systemic-acquired resistance (SAR) showed that although they were significantly upregulated in mycorrhizal plants compared with nonmycorrhizal plants, they showed the highest expression when plants were pretreated with fungus before nematode inoculation, thus, indicating that plants were primed. In summary, F. mosseae primes the defense-related genes involved in SAR, increasing plant defensive capacity and boosting growth parameters in citrus rootstock. This has important implications for the agricultural industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the amendments made to the diagnosis of Ektaphelenchus cupressi, a species of nematode. The study was conducted in forests near Elimalat lake in Iran, where a population of E. cupressi was found in dead and rotten wood samples. The researchers compared the Elimalat population with previously described Ektaphelenchus species and confirmed its identity as E. cupressi through morphological and genetic analysis. The article provides detailed descriptions of the cephalic region, stylet, and female posterior body region of E. cupressi, highlighting the unique features that help distinguish this species. The research was supported by Tarbiat Modares University. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Three populations of Pauronemoides siddiqii n. gen., n. sp. were recovered from three different locations in northwestern and northern Iran from bark and soil samples. The new genus was described and illustrated based upon morphological and molecular characteristics. Pauronemoides n. gen. belongs to the family Paurodontidae and is characterised by the medium-sized body, asymmetrical knobs in stylet base, stem-like extension into intestine, post-vulval uterine sac (PUS) absent or rudimentary, different tail tip shape between sexes, and bursa enveloping tail or reaching to the tail end. The type species, Pauronemoides siddiqii n. gen., n. sp., is mainly characterised by 752-1281 μ m body length in females and 660-1085 μ m in males, six equally-sized lips, stylet 9-11 μ m long with asymmetrical knobs, six incisures in lateral fields forming five bands, three of which (two outers and one central) are wider, and variably lengthened stem-like extension projecting into the intestine. Vulva situated posteriorly (V = 87.7-91.7%), PUS absent. Conical tail with widely rounded end, having a small mucron at tip in females, males with conical tail ending to a narrower tip and bursa enveloping tail completely. The type species of the new genus was compared with all known species of the genera Prothallonema , Paurodontus , Paurodontoides and Paurodontella. Pauronemoides siddiqii n. gen., n. sp. resembles Prothallonema macrocellum and P. mucronatum by having the bulb extension penetrating into the intestine, dimorphism in tail shape of both sexes and bursa enveloping tail, and Paurodontella iranica by tail shape dimorphism between sexes and bursa ending near tail tip. Therefore, the above-mentioned species are transferred to the new genus as Pauronemoides macrocellus n. gen., n. comb. (= Prothallonema macrocellum), P. mucronatus n. gen., n. comb. (= Prothallonema mucronatum) and P. iranicus n. gen., n. comb. (= Paurodontella iranica). In addition to morphological comparisons, molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using two sequences of small subunit (SSU), and three partial sequences of D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA, and the resulting topologies were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology and morphometric characteristics of a Longidorus population recovered from a wheat-potato field in Hamadan province, western Iran, fit well with those given for two species, L. proximus and L. israelensis. The Iranian population was characterized by 5.6 to 8.6-mm-long females having a 17 to 21-µm-wide lip region separated from the rest of the body by a shallow depression, pocket-shaped amphidial fovea with a simple base and a ventral enlargement, a guiding ring at 31 to 40 µm distance from the anterior end, 108 to 127-µm-long odontostyle, 58 to 64-µm-long odontophore, 101 to 129-µm-long pharyngeal bulb with remarkably larger dorsal gland nucleus (at 49 to 53% of the bulb length) and two smaller ventrosublateral nuclei (at 66 to 76% of the pharyngeal bulb length), four juvenile developmental stages, and a rare male. The morphological and molecular data corroborated its assignment to the species L. proximus. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial LSU rDNA D2-D3 sequences, the presently studied Iranian population and previously sequenced isolates of L. proximus formed a clade with L. cretensis, L. iranicus, L. pseudoelongatus, and L. closelongatus, all except L. pseudoelongatus with no available data, having the similar pharyngeal gland nuclei size and arrangement. In internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) phylogeny, it formed a clade with L. sturhani and four aforementioned species. The characters delimiting the two species L. proximus and L. israelensis were discussed and a new synonymy was proposed.

Summary: A population of Xiphinema artemisiae was recovered from Iran, representing the first report after its original description from a meadow pasture in northern Caucasus, Russia. The Iranian population was recovered from the rhizosphere of grasses in the Damavand region, Tehran province. The females of the recovered populations are characterised by a lip region separated from the rest of body by a depression, a 5.1-5.6 mm long body, a 129-138 μ m long odontostyle, 76-85 μ m long odontophore, a uterus having a pseudo-Z-organ and crystalloid bodies observed in some specimens, and a short, rounded, dorsally more convex tail with a subcentral mucron, four juvenile developmental stages (the first stage was not recovered) and functional males. The Iranian population is morphologically and morphometrically similar to the type population and minor morphological differences can be attributed to geographical interpopulation differences. Molecular phylogenetic relationships of the Iranian population of X. artemisiae with other species were reconstructed using sequences of three genomic ribosomal markers, viz. small, large subunit D2-D3 and internal transcribed spacer (SSU, LSU D2-D3 and ITS) rDNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to importance and effectiveness of some entomopathogenic or insect parasitic nematodes in controlling of agricultural pests, or pests of non-agricultural plants, a study was conducted in order to identify the species of this group of nematodes in city of Tehran. As the result, three species belonging to the genus Oscheius were recovered in association with bark samples having the bark beetle galleries. Morphological and molecular data were provided for two recently recovered species of the genus, namely O. necromenus and O. onirici. Molecular data were also provided for a recently recovered isolate of O. tipulae. All three species were recovered in association with bark samples collected from dead trees in the city of Tehran. Morphological characters and morphometric data of the two aforementioned species are in accordance with the data given in their original descriptions. One recovered individual from a small bark sample characterized by its short body length was sequenced for its 28S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA loci, and the results of BLAST search using the newly obtained partial sequences revealed that it belonged to O. tipulae. Molecular phylogenetic studies revealed recently sequenced Iranian populations of O. onirici and O. tipulae forming a clade with other isolates/populations of these species in ITS tree with maximal Bayesian posterior probability (BPP), and presently sequenced isolates of O. tipulae and O. necromenus form a clade with other isolates of these species in 28S tree. The two species O. onirici and O. necromenus were reported in Iran for the first time.

Summary: A new species of Ektaphelenchinae was recovered from the bark of a dead date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) tree, and from a soil sample collected from the rhizosphere of gramineous grasses in Iraq and Iran, respectively. It was assigned to the genus Ektaphelenchus mainly by the lack of a functional anus and rectum, and having a conical posterior body end (tail) in female, not ending to a filiform tip, and males lacking a bursa. The recovered populations were described based on morphological and molecular data. Ektaphelenchus phoenicis n. sp. is characterised by 346-441 μ m long females, having three lines in lateral field, a 12.3-15.8 μ m long stylet with wide lumen lacking basal knobs or swellings, high lip region separated from the rest of body by a depression, metacorpus elliptical with refractive valve plates almost in the middle to slightly posterior, excretory pore posterior to metacorpus, postvulval uterine sac (PUS) 9.3-14.8 μ m long, usually containing sperm, posterior body end (tail) with ventrally bent distal end, males common in population with seven precloacal + cloacal + caudal papillae and slightly elevated cloacal lips under SEM, appearing as a differentiated flap-like structure under LM. The new species was morphologically compared with typologically similar species of Ektaphelenchus with a similar body size, namely: E. golestanicus , E. oleae and E. taiwanensis ; a similar female posterior body end, namely: E. cupressi , E. kanzakii , E. prolobos and E. riograndensis ; and E. goffarti having a similar postcloacal structure. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant genera and species were reconstructed using near full length sequences of small and D2-D3 expansion segments of large subunit (SSU and LSU D2-D3) rDNA. In both inferred phylogenies, the newly generated sequences of Ektaphelenchus phoenicis n. sp. occupied a placement inside a maximally supported clade including sequences of three genera Ektaphelenchus , Ektaphelenchoides and Devibursaphelenchus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new species of the dagger nematode, genus Xiphinema , was recovered from the rhizospheric soil samples collected from rangelands in Semnan province, north-central Iran, and described based upon both morphological and molecular data. Xiphinema sangesarense n. sp. is characterised by 3.7-4.8 mm long females having 136-154 μ m long odontostyle, 74-87 μ m long odontophore, two equally developed genital tracts with crystalloid bodies in the tubular part of the uterus, short dorsally convex, ventrally slightly convex tail with a mucron at the end, four juvenile developmental stages and males present, functional. The new species most closely resembles X. azarbaijanense and is regarded as its tentative cryptic form, but was separated from it by reproductive mode, and morphological and molecular differences. Compared to X. afratakhtehense , the second similar species, it could be separated based on morphological differences, especially characteristics of juveniles and molecular data. Furthermore, the new species has close morphology with five know species, namely: X. aequum , X. horvatovicae , X. illyricum , X. macedonicum and X. vuittenezi , in terms of morphological characteristics (mainly structure of uterus and similar female tail), and their differences are discussed. In phylogenetic analyses of the new species using several sequences of two partial large subunit (LSU) D2-D3, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, the new species formed a clade with Xiphinema sp. in the LSU tree, and in the ITS tree it formed a clade with X. afratakhtehense. In the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene tree, sequences of the new species occupied a placement inside the clade of several sequences of X. afratakhtehense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The family Haliplectidae is reported from Iran for the first time and Haliplectus iranicus sp. n., from a mangrove forest in the Persian Gulf, is described. The new species is characterised by one ventromedian supplement near to cloacal aperture and a group of three supplements, 10-15 μ m anterior to cloacal opening, absence of protuberant caudal papillae and tail sexual dimorphism. A tabular key containing morphometric data and morphological information of 26 valid Haliplectus species is presented. Near full length SSU rDNA sequences are provided for H. iranicus sp. n. Our SSU analysis strongly indicates that Haliplectus does not belong to the order Plectida as in the current classification, and confirms the monophyly of Haliplectus based upon currently available data, but phylogenetic relationships of the genus remain uncertain. In fact, the classification of Haliplectidae is considered incerta sedis within the class Chromadorea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new species of Scutylenchus was recovered from soil collected in the rhizosphere of forest trees in natural Asalem forests, Gilan province, north Iran. The new species is described and illustrated based upon morphological and molecular data. Scutylenchus quercinus n. sp. is mainly characterised by having four lines in the lateral fields, thus delimiting it from currently known species of the genus, which have six lines. It is further characterised by 605-709 μ m long females having a slightly offset cephalic region with five or six annuli, stylet 19-21 μ m long with conus ca 50% of its total length and three slightly posteriorly sloping knobs, vulva in a cavity, with epiptygma, vagina vera squarish in lateral view, female tail subcylindrical with smooth end, and males with 26-30 μ m long spicules. The new species was morphologically compared with eight similar species. The molecular phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant species and genera were reconstructed using partial small, large subunit and internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA (SSU, LSU D2-D3 and ITS1 rDNA) sequences and the resulting topologies were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Ditylenchus acantholimonis n. sp. is described based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. It was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Acantholimon sp. in Golestan province, Iran, and is mainly characterised by having four lines in the lateral field, a pyriform to bottle-shaped offset pharyngeal bulb, post-vulval uterine sac 36.6-56.1% of the vulva to anus distance long, and a subcylindrical to conical tail with widely rounded tip. It is further characterised by short to medium-sized females, 480-617 μ m long, with a fine stylet having small rounded knobs, V = 80.8-83.6, c = 11.0-13.8, c′ = 3.3-4.6, and males with 16.0-17.0 μ m long spicules. The new species was morphologically compared with six species having four lines in their lateral field, rounded tail tip and comparable morphometric data namely: D. dipsacoideus , D. emus , D. exilis , D. paraparvus , D. sturhani , and D. solani. It was also compared with two species, D. ferepolitor and D. angustus , forming a maximally supported clade in the 18S tree. The phylogenetic analyses using the maximal number of Anguinidae and several Sphaerularioidea genera based upon partial 18S and 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequences revealed that Ditylenchus is polyphyletic. In the 18S tree, the new species formed a clade with D. ferepolitor (KJ636374) and D. angustus (AJ966483); in the 28S tree it formed a poorly supported clade with D. phyllobios (KT192618) and Ditylenchus sp. (MG865719). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Desmodoridae is a diverse and widespread family of free-living nematodes. Here, we provide the first record of the group in the Persian Gulf and describe three new species: Metachromadoroides sinuspersici sp. n., Zalonema iranicum sp. n. and Z. supplementorum sp. n. Metachromadoroides sinuspersici sp. n. is characterised by finely annulated cuticle, short and stout cephalic sensilla, amphidial fovea on cuticular thickening, pharyngeal bulb well developed and partitioned into three sections, absence of precloacal supplements, and presence of 6-8 pairs of rounded postcloacal papillae. Zalonema iranicum sp. n. is characterised by papilliform subcephalic sensilla (best observed with SEM), convex cephalic capsule, large multispiral amphidial fovea with 4-5 turns in both males and females, buccal cavity with one ventrosublateral and two dorsal teeth and posterior body of males with lateral alae extending from the last third of the body to the cloacal aperture and ventral alae extending 1395-2250 μ m anterior to the cloacal aperture, and no precloacal supplements. Zalonema supplementorum sp. n. is characterised by four subcephalic sensilla 1-2 μ m long, multispiral amphidial fovea with three turns in both males and females, buccal cavity with one dorsal and two ventrosublateral teeth, males with lateral alae present on each side of body from posterior half of body to cloacal aperture, ventral alae extending 942-1257 μ m anterior to cloacal aperture, strongly cuticularised spicules 41-43 μ m long, and 12-16 precloacal supplements. Near full length SSU and partial D2-D3 LSU sequences are provided for M. sinuspersici sp. n. and Z. iranicum sp. n., and the COI sequence is provided for Z. iranicum. The SSU phylogeny suggests a close relationship between M. sinuspersici sp. n. and Metachromadora and Metachromadoroides species and the monophyly of Zalonema (after currently available data). The LSU phylogeny suggests an affinity between Metachromadoroides and Zalonema with Spirinia and Acanthopharynx , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Ektaphelenchus masseyi n. sp. is described and illustrated. The new species was isolated from dead/rotten wood collected from natural forests in north Iran. It is characterised by 501-758 μ m long females having three lines in lateral field, more or less continuous cephalic region separated from the body only by a shallow depression, relatively short tripartite stylet (total length 13-14 μ m) lacking basal knobs or swellings, excretory pore at base of metacorpus or slightly anterior to it, post-vulval uterine sac 24-32 μ m long, rectum and anus absent, posterior body region conical with finely rounded terminus, and males rare, with a dorsally convex and ventrally flat tail with a small mucron at terminus, 13-15 μ m long spicules, and seven caudal papillae. The new species was morphologically compared with typologically similar species of Ektaphelenchus having three lines in the lateral field, namely E. joyceae , E. macrobulbosus , E. taiwanensis , and E. winteri. It was further compared with E. olitorius and E. prolobos having a similar female posterior body end shape and with an unknown number of incisures in the lateral field. It was also compared with three species currently placed under Ektaphelenchoides , namely E. andrassyi and E. poinari with three lines in the lateral field, and E. compsi with obscure lateral lines. The molecular phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other ektaphelenchid species were investigated using partial small, and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU and LSU rDNA D2-D3) sequences using the maximal number of currently sequenced ektaphelenchid and seinurid taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two populations of Aphelenchoides hamospiculatus n. sp. were recovered from natural forests in eastern regions of Golestan province, north Iran. Both populations were morphologically similar. The new species is described and illustrated herein. The females of the type population, recovered from soil, measured 467-550 μ m long, and females of the second population, from bark, measured 545-666 μ m long. It is mainly characterised by having five lines in the lateral fields, a subcylindrical tail and a single centrally located mucron at the female tail tip with fine nodules, giving it a warty appearance. It is further characterised by having a cephalic region separated from the rest of the body by a shallow constriction, stylet with small swellings at base, large median bulb with slightly post-centrally located, well sclerotised valvular plates and post-vulval uterine sac 56-63 μ m long in the type population. The males have spicules with a remarkable narrowing at the distal two-thirds, well-developed condylus with rounded end, small rostrum slightly bent inwards and a hook-like tip of the dorsal limb; and three pairs of cloacal + caudal papillae (the single precloacal papilla, P1, is lacking). The new species was morphologically compared with three species of the genus having five lines in the lateral fields, similar species with no data on their lateral lines, and those with similar spicules and a female tail end bearing a warty mucron. The molecular phylogenetic relationships of the new species using partial small and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU and LSU rDNA) sequences are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: During the present study, Aphelenchoides stammeri was recovered from pine packaging wood imported from Spain to China (isolate 3334), and was also later found in China (isolate CN24). The first population (3334) was characterised by 912-1075 μ m long females and 803-983 μ m long males, a rounded elevated and offset lip region separated from the rest of the body by a sharp constriction having fine annuli in scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images, 14.0-19.3 μ m long well-sclerotised stylet with a wide lumen (especially in the shaft) and small basal swellings, its conus forming ca 40% of the total length, the metacorpus with well-sclerotised and large central or slightly postcentral valve plates, vulva with no flap, functional rectum and anus, dorsally convex, ventrally bent conical tail (c' = 3.3-4.3), males common with aphelenchoidid-type spicules having an elongate condylus with wide bluntly rounded end, a blunt rostrum and simple end, and seven precloacal + cloacal + caudal papillae. The SEM data of the studied Spanish population, the detailed light microscopic (LM) observations on previously reported populations and detailed studies of a cultured population from Germany, yielded new observations, supporting the status of this species as an independent genus. The phylogeny of the new genus was investigated using four markers, viz., small and large (SSU, LSU D2-D3), internal transcribed spacer1 (ITS) rDNA, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI mtDNA) genes. Potensaphelenchus n. gen. is proposed for the species and it is placed under the Parasitaphelenchinae based upon its morphological characters and phylogenetic affinities. The diagnostics of the new genus and its relationships with similar aphelenchoidid genera are discussed. Seinura lii is proposed as new junior synonym of Potensaphelenchus stammeri n. gen., n. comb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Members of the family Leptolaimidae are reported for the first time from Iran with description of two new species of Leptolaimus from the Persian Gulf in the south of the country. Leptolaimus hormozganensis sp. n. is described based upon three populations. It differs from other Leptolaimus species in the position of the pharyngeal supplement and the number of precloacal tubular supplements and has a single sickle-shaped tubular pharyngeal supplement at mid-pharynx level in both sexes, 9-12 male precloacal supplements and one female preanal supplement. Leptolaimus dimorphus sp. n. is characterised by the presence of a pharyngeal tubular supplement only in some adults, one female preanal supplement and four male precloacal supplements. It differs from other species in that the pharyngeal supplement is only present in some specimens, presence of four male precloacal supplements, tail 50-59 μ m long and ventrosublateral position of vulva on either the right or left side of the body. Near full length SSU rDNA sequences are provided for L. hormozganensis sp. n. and two different males (one with, and one without, a pharyngeal supplement) of L. dimorphus sp. n. COI sequences for three populations of L. hormozganensis sp. n. from different regions of the Persian Gulf are also obtained. New sequences of two Leptolaimus species formed a clade with other sequenced Leptolaimus spp. and representatives of two genera of Leptolaimidae, i.e. , Aphanolaimus and Paraplectonema in a phylogeny based on SSU rDNA gene with 1.00/81 Bayesian posterior probability/maximum likelihood bootstrap (BPP/BS) values. Molecular phylogeny confirmed the synonymy of Leptolaimus and Halaphanolaimus that was formerly proposed based only on morphology. Based on SSU sequences and morphological characters, the presence of a pharyngeal supplement may not be a species-specific character and should not be used to differentiate genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: During quarantine inspections, a new species of Hoplotylus was detected from the rhizosphere of the Japanese maple, Acer palmatum , imported into China from Japan. Hoplotylus japonicus n. sp. is characterised by a stout 431-602 μ m long body, well-developed 20.0-24.5 μ m long stylet with tulip-shaped knobs having rounded sides in lateral view and a rounded anterior margin, excretory pore located slightly posterior to the hemizonid, usually empty, spermatheca, conical tail with a spike-like projection, which is distally smooth on the dorsal side, and males not found. It was morphologically compared with four currently known species of the genus, viz., H. femina , H. montanus , H. silvaticus , and H. sjacobi. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using 18S, 28S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA sequences, the new species formed a clade with the only currently sequenced species of the genus, H. femina , in all phylogenies. This is the second species of the genus characterised by molecular data and the second species recovered from Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Synonchium iranicum sp. n. and Richtersia bispinata sp. n. are described from the Persian Gulf and their relationships investigated using SSU phylogenetic analyses. Synonchium iranicum sp. n. is characterised by a buccal cavity with three equally sized mandibles, each with five small teeth, a rounded tail with three distinct caudal glands and distinct duct, males without gubernaculum and supplements, and short spicules. Richtersia bispinata sp. n. is characterised by multispiral amphids with 3.0-3.5 turns in males and 2.0-2.5 turns in females, cuticle with numerous, irregularly arranged, simple spines in the cervical region, 20-25 longitudinal rows of double spines in the mid-body region, 15-25 longitudinal rows of simple spines in the tail region, and the left spicule markedly longer than the right one. We provided the first near-full-length small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences for both newly described species, as well as cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), and provided D2-D3 expansion segments of large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) sequence for the new species of Richtersia. Our SSU phylogenetic analyses confirmed the placement of Synonchium iranicum sp. n. within the Selachinematidae, and suggested that the selachinematids may form a distinct clade from other chromadorids Our phylogenetic analyses indicated that Richtersia should not be classified within the Selachinematidae as suggested by some authors. Instead, we propose that Richtersia should be placed within the Desmodorida. Although Richtersia differs from Desmodorida in the arrangement of cephalic sensilla, it shares the golden body colouration characteristic of desmodorids in glycerin preparations, the same structure of genital branches in both males and females, and similar cuticular ornamentation to some desmodorid genera (notably Desmodorella). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sigmolenchus n. gen., is proposed as a new member of the Tylenchidae. The new genus is proposed based upon light and scanning electron microscopic (LM and SEM) observations and phylogenetic analyses based upon small, large and internal transcribed spacer sequences of ribosomal DNA (SSU, LSU D2-D3, ITS rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI mtDNA) sequences. It is characterised partly by its slender body, but mainly by having a dorso-ventrally flattened, smooth and elevated cephalic region, unique elongate sinuous amphidial openings, each appearing as a wavy slit with three peaks, originating from the vicinity of the labial plate, extending posteriorly and reaching and passing the first body annulus, and a spacious amphidial fovea. It has an anteriorly rounded outline under LM, knobbed stylet, its conus comprising about one-third of the total length, lateral field with a single band, metacorpus with a distinct valve, vulva with small lateral flaps, and males common with tylenchoidiform spicules. The new genus is morphologically compared with seven tylenchid genera, viz., Chilenchus , Ecphyadophoroides , Filenchus , Labrys , Lelenchus , Sakia , and Tenunemellus , mainly by having small slender body and dorso-ventrally flat cephalic region, and is placed under the subfamily Ecphyadophorinae because of its slender body, elevated smooth cephalic region, long amphidial openings and spacious amphidial fovea. It was recovered from marine muddy sediments taken 2 m deep in mangrove forests off southern Iran. Currently S. sinuosus n. gen., n. sp. is monotypic. In SSU phylogeny, the new genus formed an unsupported sister relationship with Filenchus discrepans , and in LSU phylogeny it occupied a placement inside a major clade including several Tylenchinae genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A population of Hemicriconemoides phoenicis was recovered from Khuzestan province, south-western Iran, in association with date palm. The recovered population was characterised by 518-645 μ m long females having a 76-82 μ m long stylet, rounded to oblong spermatheca filled with sperm, a 28.0-39.8 μ m long tail, juveniles common, with 14 longitudinal rows of rounded scales, and males absent. Compared to the original data, no morphological and morphometric differences were observed. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene and a near-full-length fragment of the 18S rRNA gene sequences using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximal number of species of the genus, the two newly generated 28S sequences of the Iranian population formed a maximally supported clade with two original sequences of the species; and the 18S sequence formed a maximally supported clade with an unidentified isolate of the genus in the corresponding phylogeny. This is the second report of the species since its original description, Iran representing a new geographical record and supporting the suggestion that date palm could be its preferred host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Cryptaphelenchus paravaricaudatus n. sp., from declining Pinus massoniana in China, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterised by the 233-308 μ m long females with distinctly annulated cuticle, lateral fields with four lines, lip region separated from the body by a shallow depression, delicate stylet with small knobs, post-vulval uterine sac short and rectum and anus invisible. Males are 204-259 μ m long, with spicules 8.5-12.0 μ m long, condylus well developed and broad, caudal papillae arranged as a single (P1) and a pair of precloacal papillae (P2) plus two pairs of postcloacal papillae (P3 and P4). Based upon the general morphology of the female, the new species most closely resembles C. varicaudatus. The morphological differences with the aforementioned species and other species having similar morphology are discussed. The phylogenetic analyses based on small (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) D2-D3 expansion segments of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of different individuals of the new species revealed that it fell into the clade of Cryptaphelenchus in both SSU and LSU trees. The monophyly of the genus was retained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Ektaphelenchoides shiroodensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based upon morphological, morphometric and molecular data. It was recovered from the bark samples of a dead alder tree (Alnus sp.) from countryside around Shirood city, Mazandaran province, in the north of Iran. The new species is characterised by 768-985 μ m long females, its lip region separated from the body contour by constriction, lateral field with three barely visible lines, forming two weak bands, 26-29 μ m long stylet with wide lumen without conophore and basal swellings, excretory pore always at the level with median bulb, post-vulval uterine sac (PUS) 43-76 μ m long, elongate conoid posterior body region ending to a long filiform part with pointed tip, males common with dorsally convex conical tail ending to a short narrower region with pointed tip, seven precloacal + cloacal + caudal papillae and arcuate spicules with wide condylus, blunt rostrum and simple end. Based upon the similar posterior body region ('tail') and comparable PUS length, the new species was compared to three known species, viz., E. attenuata , E. hunti and E. pini. Comparisons with the aforementioned species and similar species under the genus Seinura are discussed. The phylogenetic affinities of the new species, based upon two partial small and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU rDNA D2-D3) sequences, are discussed. Furthermore, several ektaphelenchid and seinurid species previously described from Iran were recovered in the present study, sequenced for their aforementioned genomic markers, and included in the phylogenetic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two populations of an aphelenchoidid nematode were recovered from natural forests in Golestan province, Iran. Both populations resembled each other morphologically. The females of the first population, from rotten wood of Fagus orientalis in Golestan National Park, measured 294-338 μ m long, and females of the second population, from forests of Ramian county, measured 365-464 μ m long. A reverse taxonomic approach, based upon SSU and LSU phylogenies using a maximal number of Aphelenchoididae genera, revealed the two isolates to be conspecific and representatives of a new species of Basilaphelenchus. Basilaphelenchus magnabulbus n. sp. is described and illustrated herein and is mainly characterised by the unique form of the metacorpus, this being elongate and filling the corresponding body region similar to the common form in other aphelenchoidids (vs smaller with well posteriorly located small valve in previously described species of the genus). The new species has an elevated lip region, fine stylet with three elongate posteriorly directed knobs, female tail elongate conoid and ventrally bent, and male tail short conical with three pairs of caudal papillae. It was morphologically compared with four previously known species of the genus, viz., B. persicus , B. brevicaudatus , B. gorganensis and B. grosmannae , and three species of Aphelenchoides having a broadly similar morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ektaphelenchoides pini, the type species of the genus Ektaphe­lenchoides, was recovered from wood and bark samples of a dead broadleaf forest tree collected from the forests of Golestan province in north of Iran. The recovered population is mainly characterized by massive wide spicules of males with well-developed condylus marked by indentations at the apex and simple distal tip. It was further characterized by 756 to 947 μ m long females having a cephalic region slightly separated from the rest body by a shallow depression, 20 to 23 μ m stylet with wide lumen lacking conophore and knobs, excretory pore (E pore) at about one metacorpus length behind it, or 92 to 106 μ m from anterior end and hemizonid just posterior to it, vagina anteriorly inclined, post uterine sac (PUS) ca 1.2 times vulval body width long, posterior body region elongate conoid, ending to a filiform tip, no functional rectum, a vestigial anus and common males with dorsally convex tail ending to an elongate spike and two pairs of precloacal (P2) and caudal (P3) large papillae at 5 to 6 μ m distance anterior to cloacal opening and 30 to 41% of tail, respectively and lacking the single precloacal papilla (P1). In molecular phylogenetic analyses using small and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU, LSU rDNA) sequences, the Iranian population of E. pini fell in a clade including species of three genera Ektaphelenchus, Ektaphelenchoides, and Devibursaphelenchus in SSU, and a clade including species of Ektaphelenchus and Ektaphelenchoides in LSU tree, in close association with an isolate identified as E. pini in the latter phylogeny with high (0.99) Bayesian posterior probability (BPP). The comparisons with the type and French populations, as well as phylogenetic affinities of the species using ribosomal data, are discussed. This is the first report of E. pini from Iran, and its first simultaneous morphological and molecular phylogenetic study. New observations on some species of the genus were also presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephalenchus driekieae n. sp. is described and illustrated based on its morphological, morphometric, and molecular characteristics. This new species is mainly characterized by its short stylet 11.5 to 13.0 μm, and 13.5 to 17.5 μm long pharyngeal overlap extending over the intestine. It could further be delimited by 451 to 526 μm long females with a prominently annulated cuticle, dorso-ventral amphidial openings as shown using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), four lines in the lateral field, anchor-shaped stylet knobs, empty spermatheca, elongate conoid tail with finely rounded tip and males absent. The shortest stylet and long pharyngeal overlap, distinguish this new species from previously described members and update the characteristics of the genus. With four lines in the lateral field, this new species was morphologically compared with four previously described species with this feature and another species with a short stylet. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using the partial small and large subunit ribosomal DNA gene (SSU and LSU rDNA D2-D3) sequences showed that it was clustered with other Cephalenchus spp. in both SSU and LSU trees, retaining the monophyly of the genus. This new species from South Africa updates the biogeography of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]