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Summary: In this study, we describe Labrys fuzhouensis sp. n. based on detailed morphology revealed by scanning electron microscopy and molecular data inferred from 18S and 28S rRNA. The new species differs from other Labrys species by a combination of several morphometric and morphological characters: vulva-anus distance 66-74 μ m, tail length 172-182 μ m, post-uterine sac 11-12 μ m, excretory duct less sclerotised, and hexagon-shaped labial disc. The novelty of L. fuzhouensis sp. n. is also confirmed by multi-dimensional scaling analysis. The 18S and 28S rRNA-based phylogenies suggest that the new species nested in the Labrys clade as sister to L. chinensis. In addition to the new species description, Coslenchus rafiqi is reported from China for the first time, the description being supplemented by the first molecular data (18S and 28S rRNA) for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Species of the family Tylenchidae are encountered in large numbers in soils. The genus Labrys was recently described characterised by a remarkable lip pattern that differs from all other known Tylenchidae genera. Here we describe a curious new species, Labrys fujianensis sp. n., that morphologically fits the genus Labrys but which is genetically divergent. The phylogeny was inferred based on 18S and 28S rDNA and light and scanning electron microscopy were used to extract detailed morphologies. The phylogenetic position of this species and its phenotypic convergence are discussed. The possibility of a long-branch attraction artefact was inspected both by removal of variable nucleotide sites and monophyletic testing of topologies. The results confirmed the divergent positioning of the presented species and it is demonstrated that the genetic diversity in Tylenchidae may be much higher than expected due to morphological homoplasy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]