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Populations of Bakernema inaequale, C. petasum, C. sphagni, C. mutabile, Ogma octangulare, Xenocriconemella macrodora and Hemicriconemoides chitwoodi were identified and re-described from different geographical areas in the continental United States and molecularly characterized. Two new species of spine nematodes Criconema arkaense n. sp. from Washington County and Lee County, Arkansas and Criconema warrenense n. sp from Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas are also described and named. Criconema arkaense is characterize by having a conspicuous lip region offset from the body with two annuli, short rounded tail with a thin cuticular sheath and subterminal anus. Criconema warrenense n. sp. has two lip region annuli about the same width, first annulus directed posteriorly, separated by a narrow neck annulus and a short conoid tail, unilobed non-folded annulus. The molecular characterization of Criconema arkaense and Criconema warrenense using ITS1 rDNA gene sequence and the molecular phylogenetic relationships of these new species along with the known spines nematodes are provided.

Enchodelus groenlandicus (Ditlevsen, 1927) Thorne, 1939 = Dorylaimus (Doryllium) groenlandicus Ditlevsen, 1927 = Dorylaimellus groenlandicus (Ditlevsen, 1927) Thorne & Swanger, 1936 (Fig. 1) MATERIAL EXAMINED Four females collected from one location. MEASUREMENTS See Table 1. DISTRIBUTION Collected in March, 2010 from Ahar Village, Tehran Province, Iran, in the rhizosphere of grasses. REMARKS The examined specimens fit very well with the recent redescription of this species by Guerrero et al. (2008a), although some observed morphometric differences are considered as intraspecific variation. The Iranian population has a slightly longer pharyngeal expansion (140-162 vs 111-142 µ m) and shorter female tail (19-24 vs 22-37 µ m; c = 73-104 vs 53-83; cļ = 0.4-0.6 vs 0.6-0.8). Moreover, taking into account the tripartite nature of the uterus in this species, as illustrated by Guerrero et al. (2008a), the Iranian population has a less developed pars distalis than Iberian populations, although the pars dilatata oviductus is more developed than in the Iberian specimens and female tail lacks saccate bodies (vs some very small bodies observed). One of the four females observed had two vulvae. Its morphometrics are: L = 1.89 mm, a = 23.9, b = 5.1, c = 82, cļ = 0.5, V 1 = 34.0, V 2 = 41.5, lip region diam. = 22 µ m, odontostyle length = 45 µ m, odontophore length = 53 µ m, neck length = 372 µ m, pharyngeal expansion length = 155 µ m, anal body diam. = 45 µ m and tail length = 23 µ m. This is the first report of the species in Iran., Published as part of Pedram, Majid, Pourjam, Ebrahim, Robbins, Robert T., Ye, Weimin & Santiago, Reyes Peña-, 2011, Description of one new, and new data on two known, species of Enchodelus Thorne, 1939 (Dorylaimida: Nordiidae) from Iran, pp. 729-740 in Nematology 13 (6) on page 730, DOI: 10.1163/138855410X545786, http://zenodo.org/record/8114679

Enchodelus sardashtensis * sp. n. (Figs 2, 3) MATERIAL EXAMINED Ten females from one location. MEASUREMENTS See Table 3. Female Moderately slender nematodes of medium size, 1.29- 1.50 mm long. Body cylindrical, tapering towards anterior end. Habitus curved ventrad upon fixation, adopting an open C-shape. Cuticle two-layered, 2.0-3.0 µ m thick in anterior region, 1.5-3.0 µ m at mid-body and 4-5 µ m on tail, outer layer bearing very fine transverse striations which are more conspicuous at dorsal surface of tail. Lip region moderately angular, offset by a marked depression, 2.3-2.8 times as broad as high, ca one-third of body diam. at neck base, lips mostly amalgamated, labial papillae distinct, visibly protruding above lip region contour. Amphid fovea cup-shaped, opening at level of labial depression, aperture 8-10 µ m or three-fifths to twothirds of lip region diam. Odontostyle typical of genus, comparatively long and slender, 1.5-2.0 µ m diam., ca 11.5-14.0 times as long as wide, 1.5-1.8 times longer than lip region diam. and ca 1.9% of total body length. Odontophore 1.3-1.7 odontostyle lengths long, with well developed basal flanges. Guiding ring ‘double’, situated at 15-17 µ m from anterior end. Pharynx consisting of slender but muscular anterior section enlarging gradually, basal expansion 3.5-3.8 times as long as broad, ca twice as long as body diam. at its level and occupying 35- 38% of total neck length, gland nuclei located as follows: DN = 68-72, AS obscure, PS = 52-59. Nerve ring situated at 125-133 µ m from anterior end. Cardia rounded conoid, (10-17) × (10-13) µ m, almost as long as wide. Distinct dorsal, ovoid to spindle-shaped cellular mass, ca 40 µ m long, present in all specimens between cardia and proximal end of anterior ovary. Green material observed inside intestine. Genital system didelphic-amphidelphic, both branches equally and well developed, anterior 247- 285 µ m and posterior 230-270 µ m long, ovaries usually large, 95-182 µ m long, often reaching and surpassing sphincter level, oviduct 115-150 µ m or 1.9-2.5 body diam. long, joining ovary subterminally, consisting of a tubular part and a well developed pars dilatata. Oviduct and uterus separated by a distinct sphincter. Uterus 95- 145 µ m long, tripartite, i.e., consisting of a wide proximal region with distinct lumen, a more slender intermediate section with very narrow lumen, and a well developed, spheroid distal portion. One or two uterine eggs, (86-97)× (37-51) µ m, observed within one or both genital tracts, with thick shell. Vagina extending inwards two-fifths to one-half of body diam., pars proximalis (19-22) × (18- 20) µ m, with somewhat sigmoid walls and surrounded by weak musculature, pars refringens consisting of (in lateral view) two triangular sclerotisations, measuring (5-6)×(5- 7) µ m; pars distalis 4.0-5.0 µ m long. Vulva a transverse slit. Prerectum 2.5-3.5 anal body diam. long. Rectum 25- 36 µ m or almost as long as anal body diam. Tail rounded conoid, ventrally almost straight, dorsally convex, a few large and distinct saccate bodies present in ventral region. Two pairs of caudal pores, one subdorsal, one practically lateral (in one female three pores observed). * The species name refers to Sardasht, the geographical region from where it was collected. Male Unknown. TYPE HABITAT AND LOCALITY Soil in the rhizosphere of grasses, Shalmash village, Sardasht, western Azarbayjan, north-western Iran. TYPE MATERIAL Female holotype and five female paratypes deposited in the Nematode collection of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tarbiat Modarre, Tehran, Iran. Five female paratypes deposited with the Nematode Collection of Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, University of Jaén, Spain and two paratype females deposited with USDA Nematode Collection, Beltsville, MD, USA. DIAGNOSIS AND RELATIONSHIPS The new species is characterised by its body length of 1.3-1.5 mm, lip region offset by marked depression and 13-15 µ m broad, odontostyle 22-27 µ m long or 1.5- 1.8 times the lip region diam., neck 290-310 µ m long, pharyngeal expansion 100-110 µ m long or 35-38% of total neck length, a dorsal cellular mass present between cardia and proximal end of anterior ovary, uterus tripartite and 95-145 µ m long, V = 44-48, female tail rounded conoid (19-23 µ m, c = 61-76, c&lcedil; = 0.7-0.8) and bearing saccate bodies, and male unknown. Having a comparatively small size (L * 1.5 mm), narrow lip region (up to 15 µ m) and short odontostyle (< 30 µ m), E. sardashtensis sp. n. is very similar to E. altherri Vinciguerra & De Francisci, 1973 and E. arcticus Nesterov, 1976, two close, poorly described, species (see also remarks), only known to occur in their corresponding type locations (cf., Guerrero et al., 2008). It differs from E. altherri in its shorter odontophore (35-37 vs 42-45 µ m) and total stylet length (58-65 vs 67-72 µ m), longer neck (290-310 vs 236-276 µ m), more anterior vulva (V = 44- 48 vs 50-52), shorter female tail (c = 61-76 vs 55-58), and male absent vs present, and from E. arcticus in its longer odontostyle (ca 1.5-1.8 vs 1.2 times the lip region diam.), relatively shorter pharyngeal expansion (35-38 vs ca 43% of total neck length), more anterior vulva (V = 44-48 vs 49-51), shorter female tail (19-23 vs 23-31 µ m, c = 61- 76 vs c = 48-53) with vs without saccate bodies, and male absent vs present. MOLECULAR STUDY Ribosomal DNA near-full-length small subunit 18S gene of E. sardashtensis sp. n. was sequenced and deposited in GenBank under accession number HQ404367. Sequencing on internal transcribed spacer and partial 5.8S gene was not successful. Blast search revealed this sequence is unique without identical match with any other species in GenBank. The 18S of this species had 99% identity with E. macrodorus voucher M53 from Iran ( FJ042953) with 3 bp differences over 1190 bp aligned sequences, Enchodelus sp. (AY284793) with 5 bp differences over 1311 bp aligned sequences, Enchodelus sp. (AY284792) with 9 bp differences over 1311 bp aligned sequences, Enchodelus sp. (EP207247) with 12 bp differences over 1311 bp aligned sequences, and 96% identity with E. veletensis voucher M34 from Iran ( EU477379) with 38 bp differences and 3 gaps over 1193 bp aligned sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that E. sardashtensis sp. n. is closest to E. macrodorus M53 (Fig. 4) and is in the round-tail clade (Fig. 5). This 18S fragment is very conserved; E. sardashtensis sp. n. has identical sequence with E. babakicus, E. longispiculus, E. macrodorus and E. hopedorus. REMARKS Some (although minimal) doubts persist as to the true identity of this Iranian population due to the fact that the original descriptions of its most similar species, E. altherri and E. arcticus, lack many details necessary to carry out a detailed comparison. Nevertheless, the differences observed, especially those concerning the length of odontostyle/odontophore/total stylet, pharynx length and vulva position, are significant enough to support the proposal of a new taxon., Published as part of Pedram, Majid, Pourjam, Ebrahim, Robbins, Robert T., Ye, Weimin & Santiago, Reyes Peña-, 2011, Description of one new, and new data on two known, species of Enchodelus Thorne, 1939 (Dorylaimida: Nordiidae) from Iran, pp. 729-740 in Nematology 13 (6) on pages 734-737, DOI: 10.1163/138855410X545786, http://zenodo.org/record/8114679

Enchodelus longispiculus Guerrero, Liébanas & Peña-Santiago, 2008 MATERIAL EXAMINED Thirty-nine females and 27 males from three localities. MEASUREMENTS See Table 2. MOLECULAR STUDY Ribosomal DNA near-full-length small subunit 18S gene, internal transcribed spacer and partial 5.8S gene of E. longispiculus were sequenced and deposited in GenBank under the accession number HM851184. Blast search of the 2562 nucleotides yielded the highest match with other Enchodelus species. On the 18S, E. longispiculus had an identical sequence with E. babakicus voucher M32 from Iran (FJ042952). The 18S of this species had 99% identity with E. macrodorus voucher M53 from Iran (FJ042953) with 2 bp differences, Enchodelus sp. (AY284793) with 5 bp differences, Enchodelus sp. (AY284792) with 9 bp differences, Enchodelus sp. (EP207247) with 15 bp differences, and 97% identity with E. veletensis voucher M34 from Iran (EU477379) with 35 bp differences and six gaps. However, the ITS1 region of E. longispiculus had considerable variation compared with three Iranian species including E. babakicus voucher M32 (FJ042950, identities = 601 / 725 (82.9%), gaps = 27 / 725 (3.7%)), E. macrodorus voucher M53 (FJ042951, identities = 568 / 729 (77.9%), gaps = 85 / 729 (11.7%)), and E. veletensis M34 (EU477380, identities = 353 / 672 (52.5%), gaps = 70 / 672 (10.4%)). These significant differences indicate that they are all distinct species. No ITS sequence data is available to compare for other Enchodelus species from GenBank. Figure 4 is a phylogenetic tree from a multiple alignment with 1693 total characters. This tree includes some dorylaimid species with a high match from the blast search result in GenBank. This tree is consistent with our previous results (Pedram et al., 2009a, b). Enchodelus longispiculus is identical to E. babakicus and they are in the same clade with E. sardashtensis sp. n., E. macrodorus and three other unidentified Enchodelus spp. with 100% support. This clade in the Nordiidae is sister to Eudorylaimus Andrássy, 1959 in Qudsianematidae, Epidorylaimus Andrássy, 1986 in Qudsianematidae and Prodorylaimus Andrássy, 1959 in Dorylaimidae. Enchodelus veletensis voucher M34 from Iran is not monophyletic with above-mentioned Enchodelus species. Figure 5 is a phylogenetic tree from a multiple alignment with only 638 total characters, so that all species in Enchodelus from GenBank can be included to examine their relationships. This tree is also consistent with our previous results (Pedram et al., 2009a, b) with two significant clades, viz. conical tail vs rounded tail (the clade to which E. longispiculus belongs). This tree shows that the 3 &lcedil; portion of 18S is highly conserved. Many Enchodelus species share identical DNA sequences although they can be easily differentiated morphologically. * Total range of several populations (taken from Guerrero et al., 2008a). DISTRIBUTION Found in three localities, in the rhizosphere of grasses, in Kaleibar, Eastern Azarbayjan, Chorreh village, Roudbar, Gilan province, and Astara, Gilan province, Iran. Collected in July, August and November, 2009. REMARKS The available data on E. longispiculus, i.e., its original description from the Iberian Peninsula (Guerrero et al., 2008b) and its subsequent report from Romania (Ciobanu et al., 2010), suggest that it might be a widely distributed species. It shows important intraspecific variations, especially in some morphometric features, e.g., body size (L = 1.07-1.87 mm), odontostyle length (24-34 µ m), vulva position (V = 41-51), etc. The three Iranian populations of the species herein studied fit well with those previously known, but it is morphometrically closer to Romanian material in its body size. Moreover, the range of some measurements is wider than that observed so far (although almost always overlaps it) in such parameters as lip region 13-15 µ m (vs 14-18 µ m in previous studies), body diam. at mid-body 40-55 µ m (vs 47-71 µ m) and tail length 15-37 µ m (vs 17-29 µ m). This is the second report of the species in Asia, although the first one in Uzbekistan by Tulaganov and Usmanova (1978) is rather problematic since no description or illustration was provided (cf. Andrássy, in lit.)., Published as part of Pedram, Majid, Pourjam, Ebrahim, Robbins, Robert T., Ye, Weimin & Santiago, Reyes Peña-, 2011, Description of one new, and new data on two known, species of Enchodelus Thorne, 1939 (Dorylaimida: Nordiidae) from Iran, pp. 729-740 in Nematology 13 (6) on pages 730-734, DOI: 10.1163/138855410X545786, http://zenodo.org/record/8114679

Enchodelus macrodorus (de Man, 1880) Thorne, 1939 = Dorylaimus macrodorus de Man, 1880 = Dorylaimus (Doryllium) macrodorus (de Man, 1880) Ditlevsen, 1928 = Dorylaimellus macrodorus (de Man, 1880) Thorne & Swanger, 1936 (Fig. 5) MEASUREMENTS See Table 1. REMARKS The morphometrics of the Iranian population are within the accepted values for the species as stated by Guerrero et al. (2008a), with only a small broadening of some measurement ranges such as odontophore length (46-57 vs 42-55 µ m), body diam. (68-92 vs 56-86 µ m; a = 17-24 vs 19-32) and tail length (17-23 vs 22-37 µ m; c&lcedil; = 0.4-0.6 vs 0.5-0.7). The following features have been considered of special relevance when comparing this species with E. babakicus n. sp.: i) labial constriction absent vs present; ii) vulva strikingly more anterior (V = 41.5-44.5 vs 44- 49); iii) slightly shorter uterus (119-149 vs 130-175 µ m or 1.6-2.2 vs 1.9-2.5 times corresponding body diam.); iv) males not found vs common (all Enchodelus males found in the sample had a lip morphology typical of E. babakicus n. sp. which had a sex ratio of 1.23 females per male). This evidence supports the suggestion by Guerrero et al. (2008a) that E. macrodorus males are very rare. In that study, 30 records of E. macrodorus were analysed, 12 of these being considered as reasonably confirmed although only three reported the presence of males. Detailed descriptions of E. macrodorus males are not available in the literature and there are no data on important measurements, such as spicule length, which could support a more accurate diagnosis. Individuals identified as E. macrodorus were collected from the same sample as E. babakicus n. sp. and represent the first report of this species from Iran., Published as part of Pedram, Majid, Niknam, Gholamreza, Guerrero, Pablo, Ye, Weimin & Robbins, Robert T., 2009, Morphological and molecular characterisation of Enchodelus babakicus n. sp. and E. macrodorus Thorne, 1939 (Nematoda: Nordiidae) from Iran, pp. 895-907 in Nematology 11 (6) on page 902, DOI: 10.1163/156854109X430563, http://zenodo.org/record/8114788

Enchodelus babakicus * n. sp. (Figs 1-4) MEASUREMENTS See Table 1. DESCRIPTION Female Moderately slender nematodes of medium size, 1.21- 1.56 mm long. Habitus slightly curved ventrad when heat relaxed, adopting an open C-shape. Body cylindrical, tapering gradually towards both ends but more so anteriorly. Cuticle two-layered, external layer ca 1.0-2.0 µ m thick along entire body, internal layer 2.0-3.0 µ m thick in anterior region, 1.0-1.5 µ m at mid-body and 5.0-7.0 µ m on tail. Cuticle with fine but distinct transverse striations, especially visible at neck and tail regions. Lateral cords granular, forming 15-20% of body diam. at mid-body. Lip region rounded, clearly separated from adjacent body by a distinct constriction, 2.4 times as broad as high or ca one-third of body diam. at neck base. Lips amalgamated, labial and cephalic papillae scarcely projecting above lip contour. Amphidial fovea stirrup shaped, aperture slitlike, located at level of labial constriction, occupying 57- 67% of lip diam. Cheilostom cylindrical, with distinct indentation resembling an additional guiding ring, as described by Coomans (1985) in species of Californidorus and Enchodelus. Odontostyle 2.24-2.34 lip diam. long, well sclerotised with furcate base, 2.5-3.0 µ m in diam. or 13.6-15.3 times as long as broad, guiding ring double, located at 26-30 µ m or 1.3-1.6 lip diam. from anterior end. More or less spherical cavity with weakly sclerotised walls observed just posterior to guiding ring. Odontophore flanged, 1.0-1.2 times longer than odontostyle. Nerve ring located 130-143 µ m from anterior end. Pharynx composed of slender but muscular anterior portion and a muscular expanded part occupying 35.5-38.5% of total neck length, pharyngeal gland nuclei located as follows: DN = 69.0 ± 1.5 (67-72); S 1 N 1 and S 1 N 2 not observed; S 2 N 1 = 54.8 ± 1.0 (53-56); S 2 N 2 = 56.0 ± 1.9 (53-58). Very delicate membrane surrounding pharyngeal expansion. In some specimens, this structure apparently extending along ventral and/or dorsal side of pharyngeal expansion. Cardia hemispherical, about as broad as long, 12-13 × 11-13 µ m in size. Reproductive system amphididelphic, both branches equally developed. Ovaries reflexed, short, not reaching sphincter level, measuring 39- 63 µ m long, oocytes first in two or more rows, then in one row, distal part of ovary consisting of a well developed blind sac, similar to that described by Coomans (1964) in Discolaimus and Longidorus species. Oviduct joining ovary subterminally, close to proximal end of blind sac. Oviduct consisting of tubular part and well developed pars dilatata. Distinct sphincter visible between oviduct and uterus. Uterus 130-175 µ m or 1.9-2.5 body diam. long, tripartite, consisting of a distal spheroid pars dilatata, a slender intermediate portion and a wider proximal part, these three regions generally showing only weak development and obscured in some individuals by intestinal contents. Vagina extending inwards 51-60% of corresponding body diam. Pars proximalis vaginae 21.5 × 23.5 µ m, pars refringens composed of two trapezoidal, well sclerotised, pieces with a combined width of 16.5 × 4.0 µ m, pars distalis vaginae 6.3 µ m long (holotype). Sperm not observed in female genital tract. Prerectum 4.5-8.5 times and rectum 0.9-1.6 anal body diam. long. Tail short, rounded conoid, small saccate bodies observed along ventral surface, cuticle at terminus forming 42-57% of total tail length, two pairs of caudal pores located at middle of tail, one subdorsal, the other lateral. Male General morphology similar to that of female except for posterior region curved more ventrad. Reproductive system composed of two testes, anterior 179-262 and posterior 167-257 µ m long. Sperms ellipsoid, measuring 8.0-9.5 × 3.5 µ m. Spicules dorylaimoid, 1.3-1.8 anal diam. long and 3.9-4.8 times longer than wide, lateral accessory pieces paired, more or less cylindrical with bifurcate end, measuring 10.5-12.0×2.5 µ m. Series of 10-14 spaced ventromedian supplements starting 24- 32 µ m from adcloacal pair with posteriormost supplement located within range of retracted spicules, adcloacal pair located at 7.0-11.5 µ m from cloacal opening. Tail short conoid, dorsally convex, slightly ventrally concave with bluntly rounded terminus. Cuticle along ventral surface lacking saccate bodies. * The specific epithet is derived from Babak Fort, a historic location in the East Azarbaijan province of Iran and where the new species was found. M. Pedram et al. Juveniles Body length gradually increasing with stage. Comparison of length of functional odontostyle and replacement odontostyle identified four juvenile stages. Lip region in J1 flat, in J2 offset by a less marked constriction than in J3, J4 and adults. Lip region becoming progressively broader from J1 to J4. Genital primordium at vulval region observed in some J4. Tail in J1 conical, relatively much longer than in subsequent stages (c&lcedil; = 3), tail in J2- J4 similar in shape to that of female although becoming relatively shorter with stage (c&lcedil; = 1.0, 0.6-0.9 and 0.5-0.7 in J2, J3 and J4, respectively). TYPE MATERIAL Holotype female, ten paratype females, ten paratype males and paratype juveniles deposited in the Nematode Collection of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; two paratype females and two paratype males in separate slides deposited at CABI UK- Centre, Surrey, UK, and USDA Nematode Collection, Beltsville, MD, USA. TYPE HABITAT AND LOCALITY Rhizosphere of grasses from natural grasslands, Kaleibar City, mountains of Babak Fort, north-west Iran. DIAGNOSIS AND RELATIONSHIPS The new species is characterised by its 1.21-1.56 mm body length, lip region offset by marked constriction and 17.0-19.0 µ m broad, odontostyle 40-45 µ m long, odontophore flanged and 37-51 µ m long, neck region 283- 413 µ m long, pharyngeal expansion 100-136 µ m long or 35.5-38.5% of total neck length, amphididelphic female genital system, tripartite uterus, vulva pre-equatorial (V = 44-49), tail short, rounded (16-22 µ m long, c = 61- 93, c&lcedil; = 0.5- 0.7 in female; 19-30 µ m long, c = 49-72, c&lcedil; = 0.5- 0.9 in male), male as frequent as female with 49-61 µ m long spicules and 10-14 spaced ventromedian supplements, the posteriormost of which being within the range of the retracted spicules. Because of the morphology of the tail and the odontostyle length, E. babakicus n. sp. can be classified un- der the E. macrodorus -group as defined by Guerrero et al. (2008a). This group is characterised by the presence of a rather long odontostyle (> 35 µ m), odontophore with well developed flanges, tripartite uterus and rounded tail, and comprises the species described above together with E. distinctus Ahmad & Jairajpuri, 1980, E. groenlandicus (Ditlevsen, 1927) Thorne, 1939, E. macrodorus (de Man, 1880) Thorne, 1939, E. microdoroides Baqri & Jairajpuri, 1974 and E. saxifragae Popovici, 1995. In having a lip region offset by a strong constriction, the new species can be distinguished from E. groenlandicus, E. macrodorus and E. microdoroides. Furthermore, it can be separated from E. groenlandicus by its shorter female body (1.21-1.56 vs 1.57-2.50 mm), shorter odontostyle, odontophore and total stylet (40-45, 37-51 and 79-95 µ m, respectively, vs 44-53, 45-55 and 94-108 µ m), shorter and less developed uterus and frequent presence of males vs absence; from E. macrodorus, probably the closest relative, apart from the deep constriction at the lip region, the new species differs by its slightly more posteriorly located vulva (V = 44-49 vs 37-47), slightly longer uterus (130-175 vs 56-143 µ m or 1.9-2.5 vs 0.9-2.0 body diam.), female tail more conoid (vs almost hemispherical) and greater number of ventromedian supplements (10-14 vs 6-12); and from E. microdoroides by its slightly longer female body (1.21-1.56 vs 0.9-1.3 mm), broader lip region (17.0-19.0 vs 13.0-14.0 µ m), guiding ring located more anterior (26-30 vs 37-39 µ m from anterior end) and males with longer spicules (49-61 vs 45-50 µ m). The new species resembles the remaining two species, namely E. distinctus and E. saxifragae, in having the lip region offset by a deep constriction. However, it can be distinguished from E. distinctus by its shorter female body (1.21-1.56 vs 1.85 mm), longer odontostyle (40-45 vs 36 µ m), pre-equatorial vulva (V = 44-49 vs 53) and males frequent vs absent. Finally, the new species differs from E. saxifragae by the much shorter female body length (1.21-1.56 vs 1.80-2.38 mm), female genital system with less developed uterus, differently shaped pars refringens vaginae (trapezoidal vs arcuate drop-shaped), shorter tail (16-22 vs 22-40 µ m) and males with slightly shorter spicules (49-61 vs 56-70 µ m) and fewer ventromedian supplements (10-14 vs 13-16). In the key provided by Guerrero et al. (2008), E. babakicus n. sp. can either be keyed out together with E. microdoroides in step 1, due to the small size of some individuals, or with E. saxifragae in step 3. However, it can be easily distinguished from both by the characteristics listed above., Published as part of Pedram, Majid, Niknam, Gholamreza, Guerrero, Pablo, Ye, Weimin & Robbins, Robert T., 2009, Morphological and molecular characterisation of Enchodelus babakicus n. sp. and E. macrodorus Thorne, 1939 (Nematoda: Nordiidae) from Iran, pp. 895-907 in Nematology 11 (6) on pages 896-902, DOI: 10.1163/156854109X430563, http://zenodo.org/record/8114788

Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is a major pest of cotton in the southeastern United States. The objective of this study was to examine the variation of reniform nematode populations from cotton-growing locations in the United States where it is prevalent. Multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant analysis were used to determine the variability of morphology in males and immature females. Reproduction indices of populations were measured on selected soybean and cotton genotypes in the greenhouse. High variability in morphometrics and reproduction was observed within all the populations, and several differences were found among populations. DNA sequences of the nuclear ribosomal first internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1) were compared among populations from the United States and to sequences of populations from Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and Japan. No polymorphic nucleotide sites were observed among the amphimictic populations. Only a parthenogenic population from Japan was distinct. The phenotypic polymorphism of the species in the United States could impact the effectiveness of management strategies based on host plant resistance.