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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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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]

Seinura italiensis n. sp. isolated from the medium soil imported from Italy is described and illustrated using morphological and molecular data. The new species is characterized by having short body (477 (407-565) μm and 522 (469-590) μm for males and females, respectively), three lateral lines, stylet lacking swellings at the base, and excretory pore at the base or slightly anterior to base of metacorpus; females have 58.8 (51.1-69.3) μm long post-uterine sac (PUS), elongate conical tail with its anterior half conoid, dorsally convex, and ventrally slightly concave and the posterior half elongated, narrower, with finely rounded to pointed tip and males having seven caudal papillae and 14.1 (12.6-15.0) μm long spicules. Morphologically, the new species is similar to S. caverna, S. chertkovi, S. christiei, S. hyrcania, S. longicaudata, S. persica, S. steineri, and S. tenuicaudata. The differences of the new species with aforementioned species are discussed. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using near full-length small and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU rDNA D2-D3 expansion segments) sequences, the new species fell into a clade including three previously described/sequenced species of the genus in both SSU and LSU Bayesian phylogenetic trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: During nematological surveys in grasslands and natural forests of north and north-western Iran, three species of Miculenchus , including two new and one known species, were recovered and characterised based upon morphological and molecular approaches. Miculenchus brevisalvus n. sp., the first new species, is mainly characterised by its short females 334-388 μ m long and with a short 6.0-7.5 μ m long stylet, pyriform to pyriform-elongate pharyngeal bulb, 4-8 μ m long post-uterine sac (PUS), offset rounded spermatheca filled with small spheroid sperm, elongate conoid tail 62-83 μ m long with a sharp tip, and males with simple cloacal lips. Miculenchus muscus n. sp., the second new species, is characterised by a combination of the following features: body 401-467 μ m long, well-developed protuberant labial plate at the anterior end under light microscopy, stylet 7-9 μ m long, pyriform pharyngeal bulb, PUS 4-9 μ m long, gradually narrowing conical tail 62-74 μ m long with a finely pointed or sharp end and bearing several fine bristles at tip, and a male with projecting cloacal lips. Both newly described species were morphologically compared with four currently known species of the genus, viz., M. elegans , M. salmae , M. salvus , and M. tesselatus. Miculenchus salmae was also recovered and reported from Iran for the first time. It is mainly characterised by lacking a PUS and the characteristic vagina shape. Miculenchus muscus n. sp. and M. salmae were both characterised using scanning electron microscopic images, yielding new morphological observations for the genus. All three species are studied for their molecular phylogenetic characters using sequences of near-full length fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) and the D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU rDNA D2-D3). In both SSU and LSU phylogenies, all currently sequenced species of Miculenchus formed a monophyletic group with maximal clade support in both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bursaphelenchus pterocarpi n. sp. isolated from Pterocarpus sp. logs imported from Ghana to Ningbo, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterised by a female body length of 630-946 μ m, lateral field with four lines, a short 12.6-13.9 μ m long stylet with small basal swellings, excretory pore located posterior to nerve ring, outstretched reproductive system with amoeboid sperm inside the spermatheca, a well-developed vulval flap, tail conical and straight with a 1.9-4.8 μ m long mucron at the tip, and lacking males in both the wild type and fungal-cultured populations. In a concatenated tree, reconstructed on the basis of the partial 18S, full length ITS and partial 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequences, the new species occupied a basal placement to the clade of xylophilus -group and africanus -group species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Basilaphelenchus brevicaudatus n. sp., the third species of this apparently rare genus, is described and illustrated. It was recovered from wood and bark samples from a dead forest tree in the Golestan province of northern Iran. It is typologically characterised by female body length (448 (365-492) μ m), three lines in the lateral fields, raised cephalic region having a sclerotised vestibule and cephalic framework, stylet thin with delicate conus and thicker shaft, both parts lacking a visible lumen, and with three elongate, backwardly directed knobs, small, spherical to spade-shaped metacorpus with small, posteriorly located valve (at 72 (58-74)% of metacorpus length), simple vulva without flap at 72.5 (69-78)% of body length, post-vulval uterine sac 32.4 (29.0-37.0) μ m long, functional rectum and anus, female tail conical, short (c′ = 2.6 (1.9-3.3) in female, and 2.5 (2.3-2.8) in male), dorsally convex and ventrally concave with blunt end or having a small mucron, both forms with a hyaline-like tip. Males common, with well-curved 9.2 (9.0-10.5) μ m long spicules measured along the mid-line, three pairs of small caudal papillae (lacking the single P1 ventral papilla) and no bursa at tail tip, but with hyaline region, similar to females. Basilaphelenchus brevicaudatus n. sp. is compared with the two currently known species of the genus, the type species, B. persicus , and B. grosmannae. Molecular phylogenetic inferences using partial sequences of small and large subunit ribosomal RNA genes (SSU and LSU) from different isolates of the new species revealed that it belongs to the Tylaphelenchinae clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new and one known species of the genus Aphelenchoides from Iran are studied. Aphelenchoides giblindavisi n. sp. is mainly characterized by having five lines in the lateral fields at mid-body, and a single mucro with several tiny nodular protuberances, giving a warty appearance to it, as revealed by detailed scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies. The new species is further characterized by having a body length of 546 to 795 μ m in females and 523 to 679 μ m in males, rounded lip region separated from the rest body by a shallow depression, 10 to 11 μm long stylet with small basal swellings, its conus shorter than the shaft (m = 36-43), 52 to 69 μm long postvulval uterine sac (PUS), males with 16 to 18 μ m long arcuate spicules, and three pairs of caudal papillae. The new species was morphologically compared with two species of the genus having five lines in the lateral fields namely A. paramonovi and A. shamimi and species having a warty-surfaced mucro at tail end and similar morphometric data ranges. The morphological features and morphometrics of the second studied species, A. helicus, agreed well with the data given for the type population. However, detailed study of fresh females revealed it has three drop-shaped stylet knobs and long PUS, making it typologically similar to the genus Robustodorus, meriting its taxonomic revision, i.e., transferring to it. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial small and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU and LSU rDNA) sequences, the new species formed a clade with A. heidelbergi in both SSU and LSU D2-D3 trees. The species A. helicus, however, clustered inside a well-supported clade of the genus Robustodorus in both trees, corroborating its newly proposed taxonomic placement as Robustodorus helicus n. comb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reverse taxonomic approach for characterisation of several populations of an aphelenchid nematode recovered from declined oak trees in the Zagros forests, Ilam, western Iran, revealed that their 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequences matched two available sequences of the same genomic fragment belonging to two species, Laimaphelenchus belgradiensis and L. hyrcanus. Further morphological studies yielded new morphological traits that had been overlooked in their original descriptions, and a new hypothesis helping to disentangle these taxa, which have the same 28S sequences and the same phylogenetic placement, is proposed. In a similar fashion, the taxonomic status of some other species of the genus having a similar morphology or similar genomic sequences are reviewed. The possibility of proposing new synonyms was evaluated and tentative reasons for the new habitat of the recovered populations of Laimaphelenchus from the Zagros forests discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paurodontella gilanica n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. The new species is characterised by its small body size, four lines in the lateral field, weak stylet with minute asymmetrical knobs, female reproductive system lacking a diverticulum but with small post-vulval uterine sac, elongate conoid tail with pointed, sometimes filiform, tip, males common with small spicules and cloacal bursa not reaching tail tip. Morphological differences between the new species and seven known species of the genus, namely P. asymmetrica, P. auriculata, P. balochistanica, P. minuta, P. myceliophaga, P. parapitica and P. persica, are discussed. The new species is also compared with four known species of Paurodontus having four lines in the lateral field. Using a 1123 nt long partial 18S rDNA sequence of the new species to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships revealed that it formed a clade with members of the Sphaerulariidae and Paurodontidae. Using a 746 nt long partial sequence of the 28S rDNA D2-D3 segment revealed that P. gilanica n. sp. formed a clade with Abursanema iranicum in both Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses with 0.99 Bayesian posterior probability (BPP) and 89% bootstrap support value (BS). The morphological affinities of Paurodontella and Paurodontus are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Sakia is recorded from Iran for the first time and Sakia arboris n. sp., recovered from two geographical points in northern Iran, is described. The new species is characterised by its smooth cuticle under light microscopy (LM), absence of lateral fields, head continuous with body contour, flattened lip region, 9.3 (9.0-10.0) µm long stylet, vulva at 60.2 (59.3-61.3)%, bilobed spermatheca, 117 (102-128) µm long tail, and 14.3 (14-15) µm long spicules. By lacking lateral fields, the new species comes close to three known species of the genus, namely: S. alii, S. castori and S. indica. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using sequences of the near full-length fragment of the small subunit of ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) and the D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S rDNA) were performed using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. In the reconstructed Bayesian tree using the 18S rDNA sequence of the type population, the new species occupied a position in a clade including two isolates of Sakia sp. and some species of Lelenchus, with maximal BPP and high ML BS values (1.00/99%). In the reconstructed 28S rDNA phylogenetic tree, two newly sequenced isolates of S. arboris n. sp. formed a well-supported clade with Lelenchus spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longidorus azarbaijanensis n. sp. is described and illustrated using morphological and molecular data. It was recovered in West Azarbaijan province, northwestern Iran, from the rhizospheric soil of foxtail weed. The new species is characterized by having 5.4 to 6.8 mm long females, offset, anteriorly flat lip region and separated from the rest of the body by a shallow constriction, funnel-shaped amphidial pouches, the guiding ring at 23 to 27 μm from the anterior end, 73 to 81 and 44 to 50 μm long odontostyle and odontophore, respectively, 95.0 to 113.5 μm long pharyngeal bulb, didelphic-amphidelphic reproductive system with long tubular uteri lacking sperm cells, vulva located at 52.0% to 56.4%, conical tail dorsally convex, ventrally flat, with bluntly rounded wide tip, for juvenile developmental stages and absence of males. The general body shape of the new species is similar to that of five known species of the genus namely L. euonymus, L. perangustus, L. persicus, L. protae and L. sturhani. The morphological differences of the new species with the aforementioned species are discussed. For all the aforementioned species (except L. protae, currently lacking molecular data) the differences of the new species was also confirmed with differences in molecular sequences of D2-D3 expansion domains of 28S rDNA and the corresponding phylogenetic analyses. The partial sequence of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the new species was also used in phylogenetic analyses. In partial 28S tree, the clade including the new species and six other species (L. attenuatus, Longidorus sp. and four above-mentioned species having molecular data for this fragment) was well supported in Bayesian inference. In the ITS1 tree, the new species formed a clade with L. euonymus, L. perangustus and L. persicus, as in 28S tree. This is one of the cases from which the morphologically similar species are separated using molecular sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiphinema japonicum n. sp., isolated in Ningbo, China, from the rhizosphere of Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) imported from Japan is described. The new species belongs to Xiphinema non-americanum group 7 and is characterized by medium body length (3.0-3.7 mm), total stylet length 190-201 μm, vulva located anteriorly (V = 30.5%-35.3%), two equally developed female genital branches without uterine differentiation (no Z or pseudo-Z organ and/or spines in the uteri), short tail, convex-conoid with subdigitate peg in terminus, and absence of males. The species has four juvenile developmental stages (J1 was not found). The polytomous identification codes of the new species are (codes in parentheses are exceptions) A4-B4-C4-D5(4)-E2(3)-F3(4)-G2(3)- H2-I3-J4-K?-L1. Morphologically, the new species is mainly characterized by combination of the codes C4 and E2(3), making the species unique and different from other species in the genus. It is most similar to the North American species Xiphinema bakeri, herein considered as its cryptic species by the nature of high morphological similarity, but with significant differences in DNA sequences in nearly full length 18S, ITS1, 28S D2/D3, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 sequences. The second morphologically close species is Xiphinema setariae from which the new species could be separated based on morphological and molecular characters. Morphological comparisons with phylogenetically related species are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichodorus variabilis, recovered from three separate locations in natural forests of northern Iran, was studied using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Variation in position of the ventromedian cervical papillae (CP1 and CP2) with respect to the onchiostyle base in the resting position, and spicule characters (having or lacking striation in distal blade region and bristles in proximal blade region) were observed. Variation was also observed in the nature of the pharyngo-intestinal junction (offset to slight overlapping). The secretory-excretory pore of females also showed slight variation in placement. Molecular phylogenetic studies, using partial 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequences of three studied populations and one sequenced isolate of the species from Greece, revealed T. variabilis has variation in the sequences of this genomic fragment. The similarity percent of four sequences ranged from 96.7 to 99.7%. The species was found for the first time outside of Greece, the country from which it was originally described. A newly recovered population of T. persicus, originally described from Iran, was also included in the molecular phylogenetic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ektaphelenchus berbericus n. sp. was recovered from soil samples collected in eastern Iran and is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The new species is characterised by having female body 512-691 μm long, lip region separated from rest of body by a shallow depression, lips separated and equally sized, 19-22 μm long stylet with wide lumen and lacking knobs or swellings at its base, cuticle with fine, but distinct transverse annuli and three lines in lateral field, excretory pore located at base of metacorpus (with slight variation in position), reproductive system monodelphic-prodelphic with spheroid and fine sperm cells inside spermatheca in some individuals and short post-vulval uterine sac (PUS), rectum and anus vestigial (invisible in few individuals), conical posterior body end (tail), narrowing at mid-point between anus and rounded tail tip, and males lacking. The new species is typologically similar to species belonging to four genera: Devibursaphelenchus, Ektaphelenchoides, Ektaphelenchus and Seinura, by a combination of morphological characters, e.g., gross morphology of stylet (lacking knobs or swellings at base), morphology of posterior body end (having short conical tail), PUS length, and having a vestigial anus and rectum in most individuals. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using sequences of the partial small subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene (SSU) and the D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal RNA gene, the new species is close to the Ektaphelenchoides/Cryptaphelenchus clade in an inferred SSU tree, and formed a clade with Ektaphelenchoides and Devibursaphelenchus spp. in a D2-D3 LSU tree. Further phylogenetic analyses using full length sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) (= ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2) corroborated results from the SSU and D2-D3 LSU trees, and the multilocus analyses using the combined SSU and LSU data placed the new species in a robustly supported clade with Ektaphelenchoides poinari and Devibursaphelenchus lini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lelenchus brevislitus n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The new species is characterised by having females with slender, 452-488 ҝm long, body lateral field vestigial as a plain simple band under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in vulval region and absent in proximal and distal body ends, cephalic region short, ca 2 ҝm high, conical and truncate in anterior end in lateral view under SEM, dorso-ventrally flattened, amphidial pouches pocket-shaped and large under light microscopy (LM), their apertures short (ca 1 ҝm long in SEM) longitudinal sinuous slits remarkably wide near the small oral disc and significantly narrowing posteriad stylet, slender. 6.5-8.0 ҝm long, developed median bulb with distinct valvular plates, monodelphic-prodelphic reproductive system having a short post-vulval uterine sac (PUS), transverse vulval slit (V = 47.5-51.7) bearing small lateral membranes on each side, long filiform female tail (154-170 ҝm, c = 2.8-3.1, c' = 21.5-28.3), and males unknown. The new species is considered to be a cryptic species inside the Tylenchidae. Morphological comparisons with all species of the genus are discussed. Phylogenetic studies were performed for further characterisation of the new species, and the results, using nearly full length 18S rDNA data, revealed it formed a clade with an isolate of L. leptosoma, both of which are in a sister clade with an isolate of Sakia. In a reconstructed phylogenetic tree using partial 28S rDNA sequences, the new species formed a monophyletic group, again with L. leptosoma, a sister clade to some Malenchus spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular data on several species of trichodorids occurring in Iran are provided. Live specimens of two species, Trichodorus arasbaranensis and T. gilanensis, were collected from their type localities. One population of T. orientalis was collected from Arasbaran forests in Eastern Azarbayjan province. The species Paratrichodorus porosus, occurring in Gilan province, and one European isolate of P. pachydermus were also included in phylogenetic analysis. An Iranian population of T. minzi, representing only the second population found of this rare species, was recovered from soil samples collected from grasslands of north-western Iran and is in morphological congruence with the original description of the species. Besides morphological study, molecular phylogenetic study was performed on newly reported species using partial 28S rDNA data, and the phylogenetic relations of all sequenced species as inferred from Bayesian analysis are discussed. According to the phylogenetic tree, two newly described species, T. golestanensis and T. iranicus, formed a clade and further studies revealed they have the same morphology and molecular sequences of 28S rDNA D2-D3. Accordingly, T. golestanensis is regarded as a junior synonym of T. iranicus according to the Principle of Priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diploscapteroides persicus n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The new species is mainly characterised by female body length of 469-673 μm, female tail length of 51-99 μm, shape of gubernaculum and spicules and arrangement of male genital papillae. Also, the arrangement of male genital papillae of the new species shows the presence of precloacal papillae, a feature that has not been previously described for the genus. The new species is comparable with all valid species of the genus, namely D. boettgeri, D. brevicauda, D. chitinolabiatus, D. coroniger, D. dacchensis and D. flexuosus, from which the morphological comparisons of the new species with aforementioned species are discussed. Phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of SSU and LSU rRNA genes were performed for the new species, being the first representative of the genus to be phylogenetically studied using both Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods, and revealed that D. persicus n. sp. formed a clade with a species of Cephaloboides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of the family Tylenchidae, including one new and two known species, are described and illustrated. Atetylenchus minor n. sp. is characterised by its short body length of 633 (558-691) μm, MB = 45 (41-46), lateral field with four crenate incisures, stylet 12.0 (11.5-12.5) μm long, without distinct basal knobs but with swollen arms of the shaft at its base, V = 56.3 (53.7-59.3), absence of lateral vulval membranes, and conical tail 57 (51-62) μm long with a rounded tip. Morphological differences of the new species with four known species of the genus, namely A. abulbosus, A. graminus, A. amiri and A. metaporus, are discussed. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the new species using 1089 bp partial sequences of 18S rDNA revealed that the new species formed a clade with an unpublished species assigned to Psilenchus in Bayesian inference (BI) with low Bayesian posterior probability (BPP). This clade forms a sister clade to a major clade containing two species of Psilenchus and several belonolaim species and genera. The same result was achieved using maximum likelihood (ML) analysis. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies were also performed on two other species, Malenchus labiatus and Neothada cancellata, using 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequences. In the inferred Bayesian tree, M. labiatus formed a clade with other species of Malenchus with 28S information with maximal support (1.00 BPP), while N. cancellata formed a clade with Boleodorinae, again with maximal (1.00) BPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus of Panagrolaimidae, together with three new species, is proposed based on morphological, morphometric and molecular studies. Baldwinema n. gen. is unique in the Tylenchina by a combination of the following characters: having valvular median bulb, no valve in terminal pharyngeal bulb and absence of stylet. It is further characterised by cylindrical body, thin and finely annulated cuticle, lateral field with two lines (forming a single plain band), fused lips, small longitudinal amphidial openings located on lateral lips, lip region without labial probolae, with six inner and six outer labial and four cephalic papillae (as seen using SEM images), stoma aberrant, cheilostom and gymnostom of equal length, cheilostom with thin wall, gymnostom with clear and thick wall, and stegostom beginning with a tubular thin wall and ending with a thicker wall. Baldwinema ilamense n. gen., n. sp., the type, is characterised by its short post-vulval uterine sac of 7.7 (6.0-9.0) μm long, female tail length of 147 (120-175) μm, shape of gubernaculum, and arrangement of male genital papillae; B. ardabilense n. gen., n. sp. by its short post-vulval uterine sac of 11.5 (9.0-15.0) μm, female tail length of 150 (136-169) μm, shape of gubernaculum, and arrangement of male genital papillae; and B. golestanense n. gen., n. sp. by its long post-vulval uterine sac of 16 (13-21) μm, female tail length of 200 (174-220) μm, shape of gubernaculum, and arrangement of male genital papillae. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA gene showed that the new genus is nested within the Panagrolaimidae. However, LSU data did not demonstrate monophyly of the Panagrolaimidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ektaphelenchoides caspiensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. The new species is characterised by its continuous lip region, obscure lateral field, females with body length of 499-572 µm, 9-10 µm long stylet, excretory pore posterior to base of metacorpus at 62-72 µm from anterior body end, short post-uterine sac ca 0.5 times corresponding body diam. or 4-9 µm long, and posterior body end (i.e., including 'tail') very long and filiform. Males are common and have 7-8 µm long spicules, five copulatory papillae and a long (109-140 µm) conoid tail with very long filiform terminus. Based on morphological and molecular characters, it comes close to five known species of the genus, namely: E. attenuata, E. fuchsi, E. kelardashtensis, E. musae and E. ruehmi. It differs from the closest species, E. kelardashtensis, by the shorter female stylet (9-10 vs 13-16 µm), more anterior vulva (V = 51.7-58.1 vs 61.5-68.0), more posterior excretory pore (62-72 vs 55-66 µm from anterior end), very long posterior body (i.e., including 'tail') in female, and male tail shape (conoid with very long filiform terminus vs conoid, sharply pointed). Comparisons with other close species of the genus are also discussed. Molecular analyses were performed using 732 bp of the partial ribosomal RNA large subunit gene (D2-D3 of LSU) using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods and showed that the new species formed a clade with one species of the genus (E. fuchsi) and Devibursaphelenchus lini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new monosexual species of Rotylenchus is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular studies from northern Iran. Rotylenchus dalikhaniensis n. sp. is characterised by having a continuous, conoid lip region with four, rarely three, annuii, lateral fields regularly areolated in pharyngeal region and irregularly throughout the body except in tail region, rarely with anastomoses at mid-body, body without longitudinal striations, stylet 34-36 //in long, vulva located at 59-64%, tail with 16-19 annuii and ventral projection, and having no males in population. The differences of the new species with five known species, namely R. breviglans, R. alii, R. pakistanensis, R. echelimae and R. provincialis, are discussed. Phylogenetic analyses using 681 bp partial sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of the 28S and 383 bp ITS 1-rRNA genes revealed that the new species formed a clade with some species of Helicotylenchus and Rotylenchus, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Devibursaphelenchus kheirii sp. n. is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The new species is characterised by females with 370-472 pm body length, lip region separated from the body by a shallow constriction, three lines in lateral field, stylet short, 13.5-15.0 pm long, lacking basal knobs or swellings, excretory pore posterior to metacorpus, vulval flap absent, post-uterine sac short, without sperm, rectum and anus obscure, posterior end of the body elongate-conoid with finely rounded terminus. Males of the new species are characterised by their tail ventrally curved after fixation, having two pairs of caudal papillae, spicules 9-11 pm long with an elongated condylus, with rounded tip, pointed rostrum, lacking cucullus and having small conical terminal bursa. The new species comes close to D. hunanensis, D. lini and D. wangi. Beside morphological comparisons, the molecular phylogenetic analyses based on 778 bp of partial sequences of 28S rDNA D2-D3 were performed using two Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods and revealed that D. kheirii sp. n. formed a clade with the remaining species of the genus and one species of Ektaphelenchoides. This is the first report on occurrence of the genus Devibursaphelenchus in Iran. Devibursaphelenchus eproctatus syn. n. is proposed as a junior synonym of D. hunanensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotylenchus arasbaranensis n. sp., a new monosexual species is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular studies. The new species is characterised by having an offset and hemispherical lip region with 5-6 annuli, 32-36 μm long stylet, vulva located at 43.9-59.2% with a single epiptygma and rounded tail, rarely bilobed, with 6-8 annuli. The species R. striaticeps and the male of R. buxophilus are reported for the first time from Iran and R. fragaricus is reported and studied for the second time after its original description. The results of the phylogenetic analyses based on the sequences of the D2-D3 expansion region of the 28S, ITSl-rRNA and the partial 18S rRNA genes were provided for the studied species, confirming their differences from each other and determining the position of them and their relationships with closely related taxa. Also, the validity of Plesiorotylenchus is discussed on the basis of molecular data and its synonymisation (with only one sequence) with Rotylenchus is accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiphinema castilloi sp. n., a new species of morphogroup 5 sensu Loof & Luc, 1990, is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The new species is characterised by a 4.2-5.0 mm body assuming an open C to J shape after heat fixation, lip region separated from the body by a shallow depression, a 101-126 /xm odontostyle, two equally developed genital tracts with pseudo-Z-organ in uterus (8-11 globular structures) and devoid of spines, tail dorsally convex conoid with a muero, presence of functional males, and four juvenile developmental stages. By having two equally developed genital tracts, presence of pseudo-Z-organ, and similarities in tail shape of females and juveniles, the new species comes more close to X. artemisiae, X. diversicaudatum, X. erríae, X. jomercium, X. lapidosum, X. lusitanicum and X. ripogranum. The Bayesian inference (Bl) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses using 707 bp partial sequences of D2-D3 segment of 28S rDNA placed the new species in a monophyletic group with X. dentatum, another member of morphospecies group 5 with 1.00 Bayesian posterior probability (BPP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiphinema granatum n. sp. from pomegranate in Saveh, Markazi province, central Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to species group 8 of the genus Xiphinema sensu Loof & Luc, 1990. The new species is characterised by a body 3.5-4.1 mm long, 37-49 µm diam., odontostyle and odontophore 118-132 and 65-74 µm long, respectively, presence of sperm in the female genital tracts, uterus devoid of any Z-differentiation or spines, and abundant males with spicules 45-58 µm long. The polytomous identification codes of the new species are: A4, B4, C5a, D5, E56, F4, G23, H2, I3, J4, K2, L2. Beside morphological and morphometric data, molecular analyses of D2-D3 fragments of 28S rRNA gene placed the new species in close relationship with X. vuittenezi and X. italiae and some species belonging to Xiphinema morphospecies group 6, but clearly separated from X. index. In addition, an Iranian population of Longidorus pisi from the same locality is morphologically and molecularly characterised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiphinema zagrosense sp. n. is described based on morphological and molecular characters. The new species belongs to morphospecies group 6 characterised by having two equally developed female genital branches with spines in uterus and a short, rounded tail. The new species is characterised by having spines in the tubular part of the uterus, body length 3.8-5.0 mm, odontostyle length 151-169 μm, odontophore 94-105 μm, conical, dorsally convex tail, four juvenile stages and absence of males. The new species appears closely related to the members of X. pyrenaicum group characterised by a rounded tail with or without an inconspicuous digitate end and a uterus devoid of Z-differentiation but showing spiniform structures. It is compared with X. aceri, X. adenohystherum, X. iranicum, X. mazandaranense, X. nuragicum, X. pyrenaicum, X. robbinsi, X. sphaerocephalum and X. vuittenezi. In addition to morphological and morphometric data, molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rDNA gene (SSU) and large subunit rDNA gene (LSU) D2/D3 placed the new species in close relation with some species belonging to Xiphinema group 6 but differs from other species in the X. pyrenaicum complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new amphimictic species, Rotylenchus iranicus n. sp. and R. conicaudatus n. sp., are described. Rotylenchus iranicus n. sp. is characterised mainly by an offset hemispherical lip region with 5-6, rarely 7, annuli, stylet 39-44 μm long, vulva located at 53-65% and rounded tail with 4-9 annuli and typical smooth tip. Morphologically this species is related to R. montanus, R. provincialis and R. aqualamus. Rotylenchus conicaudatus n. sp. is characterised mainly by a slightly offset conoid-rounded lip region with four or five, rarely six annuli, stylet 27-32 μm long, vulva located at 52-63% and conoid-rounded tail with 10-16 annuli and a typical annulated tip. Morphologically this species is related to R. pumilus, R. abnormecaudatus, R. acuspicaudatus and R. provincialis. The results of the phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S and ITS1-rRNA genes confirmed the species differentiation. Phylogenetic relationships with other species were difficult to assign using D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S. However, using ITS1-rRNA, R. conicaudatus n. sp. presented a close relationship with R. unisexus, whilst R. iranicus n. sp. was closely related to R. conicaudatus n. sp., R. unisexus, R. incultus and R. laurentinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional information on the recently described species, Enchodelus veletensis, is provided, with females, males, intersex and juveniles being described from a population recovered from soil samples collected about grasses in a natural region of north-western Iran. This is the first report of this species for male, intersex and juveniles. Nearly full length of 1560 bp 18S rDNA and 828 bp ITS1 were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA supported two distinct monophyletic groups of Enchodelus species, those with rounded tail vs conical tail. Enchodelus veletensis is closely related to E. brevidentatus and E. arcuatus. It has identical sequences with E. brevidentatus in 638 bp partial 18S rDNA yet is morphologically distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphometrics of females of the Tehran population (n = 10) are as follows: L = 585 ± 46.8 (520-674) I i m; a = 29.5 ± 2.0 (26.3-32.3); b = 9.2 ± 0.6 (8.2-10.0); c = 22.9 ± 1.6 (21-26); c' = 2.3 ± 0.1 (2.1-2.5); V = 73.2 ± 1.2 (70.7-75.0); stylet = 10.2 ± 0.4 (9.6-10.7) I i m; m = 35.0 ± 1.2 (31.5-37.0); conus = 3.5 ± 0.3 (3.2-4.0) I i m; post-vulval uterine sac (PUS) = 26.5 ± 4.5 (22-33) I i m; tail = 25.6 ± 1.5 (23.0-28.5) I i m; and of the Saman population (n = 4): L = 582 ± 66 (487-621) I i m; a = 29.9 ± 1.8 (27.0-31.6); b = 8.6 ± 1.1 (6.7-9.4); c = 21.7 ± 1.0 (20.3-23.11); c' = 2.5 ± 0.1 (2.3-2.7); V = 74.4 ± 0.8 (73-75); stylet = 10.3 ± 0.2 (10.0-10.5) I i m; m = 35.0 ± 1.5 (33.5-36.5); conus = 3.7 ± 0.2 (3.5-4.0) I i m; PUS = 34.5 ± 7.0 (28-40); tail = 26.5 ± 1.8 (24-29) I i m. The Tehran population formed a clade with the type population in the SSU tree (Fig. A new observation for the female tail morphology was made in our Tehran population and a small vestigial projection-like differentiation was observed for some (four out of ten) females (Fig. [Extracted from the article]