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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.

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]

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: 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: 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]

Summary: Two populations of Lobocriconema were recovered from the rhizosphere of Parrotia persica in Rango forest, Gorgan, and Nargesi forest, Nokandeh, Golestan province, northern Iran. Both of the recovered populations were characterised using morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy), morphometric and molecular data based upon small, partial large and internal transcribed spacer 1 ribosomal RNA (SSU, LSU D2-D3, ITS1 rDNA) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c subunit oxidase I (COI mtDNA) gene sequences. The first examined population, recovered from Gorgan, was mainly characterised by having 34-39 retrorse body annuli 11-16 μ m thick at mid-body with crenate, dentate and lobulate margins, longitudinal cuticular scratches on entire body on both lateral regions, sometimes one or two anastomoses along the body, a single labial annulus with smooth margin and smaller than the first body annulus, four distinct submedian lobes, simple open vulva with no overhang, and a terminal anus. This population was almost identical to Neolobocriconema iranense , a close examination of a topotype population recovered in this study confirming that they were conspecific. The second population, L. nokandense n. sp., was recovered from the Nokandeh and looked similar to the first population but was morphologically separated from it by a slightly crenate labial annulus under SEM (vs smooth), longer tail (13-21 vs 6-10 μ m) and smaller ratio c (23.6-32.4 vs 44.7-86.0). In molecular phylogenetic analyses, the two populations formed a clade in both SSU and LSU phylogenies. In ITS1 and COI phylogenies, the Nokandeh population (the new species) formed a separate sister clade to the N. iranense clade. Detailed observations using SEM data revealed a small annulus between the submedian lobes and the single labial annulus, an open vulva and a slightly ornamented cuticle in all three studied populations (the newly recovered populations from Golestan and the topotype population of N. iranense from Mazandaran province and the new species), corroborating their placement under Lobocriconema. As a result, N. iranense was transferred to Lobocriconema as L. iranense n. comb. (= N. iranense). The new species was morphologically compared with its close relatives L. iranense n. comb., L. pauperum , L. incrassatum , and L. nasuense , all of which having the aforementioned small annulus between the submedian lobes and the first labial annulus. The phylogeny of the genus is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Ektaphelenchoides tonekabonensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based upon morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. The new species is characterised by 476-659 μ m long females, lip region broad and continuous with body contour, two weak lateral bands barely visible in lateral view and cross section, needle-like stylet with its conus forming ca 50% of the total length and with a very narrow lumen in the shaft, excretory pore located just opposite the metacorpus base or slightly posterior, a dense (sclerotised) mass just anterior to the vagina, a short post-uterine sac 5-7 μ m long, elongate conoid distal body region ending in a long filiform part, males common with a dorsally convex conical tail ending to a filiform tip, 7-8 μ m long spicules with a small projection at the capitulum close to the condylus, its tip posteriorly bent, and five precloacal + caudal papillae. Based upon morphological similarities and phylogenetic affinities, it is similar to six known species of the genus, namely: E. attenuata , E. caspiensis , E. fuchsi , E. kelardashtensis , E. musae , and E. ruehmi. Ektaphelenchoides caspiensis is typologically most similar to the new species and can be separated based on vulval position, excretory pore position and male tail characters. The next most similar species, E. kelardashtensis , has a longer stylet and posteriorly located excretory pore. Comparisons with the other aforementioned species and typologically similar species under Seinura are also discussed. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using Bayesian inference (BI) based upon two partial small and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU rDNA D2-D3) sequences and the phylogenetic affinities of the new species in both phylogenies were discussed. [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: A population of Neolobocriconema serratum was recovered from the rhizosphere of Hosta sp., northern Iran, for the first time. It was studied using morphological and molecular data and new morphological observations were made. The Iranian population is characterised by females having 37-43 body annuli, their outer margin ornamented with 12-14 small lobe-like outgrowths under light microscopy, anastomoses occur sparsely in some females and the succeeding annulus is usually anteriorly bent opposite to the vulva. The cephalic region has a single smooth wavy annulus with grooves and is separated from the first, wider body annulus by a very short neck. Four prominent discoid submedian lobes and two lateral pseudolips present, appearing two layered (i.e. , one above the other) in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Body 487-607 μ m long, stylet 85-93 μ m long with rounded to anchor-shaped knobs, ovary very long, vulva generally closed, but open in some specimens under SEM. Tail conoid with bluntly rounded end and males absent. The recovered population agreed well with the type population based upon the morphometric data and female morphology. In having an almost identical morphology and morphometrics, N. allantoideum is proposed as a junior synonym of N. serratum. The molecular phylogenetic analyses were done by using near-full-length sequences of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA), the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1 rDNA) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI mtDNA). The Iranian population of this species formed a clade with three other populations of the species in the SSU rDNA, and with one population in both the ITS1 rDNA and the COI mtDNA trees using Bayesian inference. [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]

Basilaphelenchus persicus n. gen., n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies. The new genus belongs to the family Aphelenchoididae and is characterised mainly by the small body size of females (297-393 µm) and males (304-331 µm), high cephalic region in both sexes, fine 5.5-7.8 µm long stylet that is barely visible in mounted specimens yet clear in fresh individuals, stylet with a linear conus and weak shaft ending in three elongate, posteriorly directed, knobs, small spherical metacorpus with posteriorly located (at 72-75% of metacorpus) weak but distinct valve, monodelphicprodelphic reproductive system with a long post-vulval uterine sac containing large rounded sperm cells, a vulva lacking any flap apparatus, conical tail of female usually ventrally bent at tip and male tail ventrally bent as in the female, lacking the P1 supplement, but with three pairs of caudal papillae, and small arcuate spicules with rounded condylus and small pointed rostrum. The new genus is similar to both Tylaphelenchus and Pseudaphelenchus in the possession of a raised cephalic region and a small spherical metacorpus, placing it in the subfamily Tylaphelenchinae. It is also typologically similar to Aphelenchoides. Molecular phylogenetic studies using both SSU and LSU rRNA gene sequences (both partial) revealed that the new genus formed a robustly supported sister clade with Pseudaphelenchus spp. and had a basal placement to this clade and, probably, to all other aphelenchoidids. Tylaphelenchus grosmannae is transferred to the new genus as B. grosmannae n. comb. and A. christinae n. comb. (= T. christinae) is proposed. The taxonomic status of Tylaphelenchus is discussed and T. sinodendroni n. comb. (= A. sinodendroni) proposed. [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]

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]

Aphelenchoides primadentus n. sp. is described and illustrated based on its morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. It was recovered from natural forests of northern Iran in association with mosses. The new species is characterised by its body length of 502-613 µm in females and 461-564 µm in males, presence of three lines in the lateral fields, a low lip region slightly offset by a shallow depression, 11.1-13.8 µm long stylet in females, its conus being longer than the shaft (m = 53.0-68.5) and bearing well-developed, rounded basal knobs, the excretory pore located at ca one body diam. posterior to the metacorpus, a conical tail with a multipapillate terminus or with a single, warty, wide mucron-like structure at the tip, and males with 19-22 µm long arcuate spicules that lack a well-developed condylus and rostrum. The new species was morphologically compared with species of the genus having three lines in the lateral field and a multipapillate tail tip or tail with warty mucron, namely A. iranicus and A. heidelbergi. Compared to A. ensete, A. huntensis and A. gorganensis, three species with a multipapillate tail tip or warty mucron at the tail tip, the new species has a basic difference in the number of lines in the lateral field and, compared to two species, A. composticola and A. petersi, which have three lines in the lateral field and a similar overall morphology, the new species has basic differences in tail tip morphology. The results of phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of ribosomal small subunit RNA (SSU) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI mtDNA) genes revealed there is currently no sequenced species of the genus phylogenetically close to the new species being sequenced for these two genomic and non-genomic regions. The new species forms a clade with A. ritzemabosi in SSU, and three other species, A. besseyi, A. ritzemabosi and A. fujianensis, in the COI tree. [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]

Anguillonema amolensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on its morphological, morphometric, and molecular characters. The new species is characterized by its 575 to 820 mm long and wide body (body width at vulva = 30 to 59 mm), irregularly ventrally curved after fixation, five to six lines in lateral fields, 6.0 to 7.5 mm long stylet with small rounded knobs, pharynx lacking a median bulb, pharyngo-intestinal junction anterior to nerve ring and excretory pore, females with monodelphic-prodelphic reproductive system, 15 to 19 mm long conical tail with broad rounded tip, and males absent. The new species is compared with two known species of the genus, Anguillonema poligraphi and A. crenati. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the new species using partial sequences of small subunit (SSU) rDNA revealed that it forms a clade with an unidentified nematode species and two species of the genus Howardula. In phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of the 28S rDNA (D2-D3 segment), the new species formed a monophyletic group with species belonging to two genera Howardula and Parasitylenchus. [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]

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]

Two populations of Xiphinema ingens were recovered and characterised based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Interesting morphological variation was observed on the nature of differentiation in uterus of females between both populations, i.e. one population had only a pseudo-Z-organ in the shape of globular bodies, whilst the second population had a similar pseudo-z-organ but also had crystalloids which varied in size and number and were located near the pseudo-z-globules or sometimes at some distance from them towards the vagina. Variation was also observed in the shape of tail of juveniles within each population as well as between two recovered populations. Both populations had the same range of morphometric data and formed a fully supported clade in both Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods of phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of 28S rDNA D2-D3 and ITS1 regions. The two populations of X. ingens formed a clade with another Xiphinema species native to Iran (X. castilloi) in 28S and two species, X. macroacanthum and X. bernardi, in ITS1 trees. [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]

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]

Paralongidorus iranicus n. sp., a new bisexual species of the genus, is described and illustrated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and molecular studies from specimens collected in the rhizosphere of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) from the Caspian (Khazar) seashore, Nour, northern Iran. Paralongidorus iranicus n. sp. is characterised by the large body size (7.8-11.4 mm), a rounded lip region, clearly set off by a collar-like constriction at level of, or slightly posterior to, the amphidial aperture, and bearing a very large, stirrup-shaped, amphidial fovea, with conspicuous slit-like aperture, a very long and flexible odontostyle ca 170 μm long, guiding ring located at 34 μm from anterior end and males with spicules ca 80 μm long. In addition, data from an Iranian population of P. bikanerensis recovered from the rhizosphere of palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Bam, Kerman province, south-eastern Iran, agree very well and are very close to the original description of the species from India. The D2 and D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA gene, ITS1, and 18S rRNA sequences were obtained for P. iranicus n. sp. and P. bikanerensis. Phylogenetic analyses of P. iranicus n. sp. and P. bikanerensis rRNA gene sequences and of Longidorus spp. sequences published in GenBank were done using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference. Paralongidorus species (including P. iranicus n. sp.) clustered together; however, P. bikanerensis clustered within Longidorus spp. and was clearly separated from all other Paralongidorus spp. in trees generated from the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S and partial 18S data set, respectively. [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]

Xiphinema mazandaranense n. sp. is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to morphospecies group 6, which is characterised by having two equally developed female genital branches that have spines in the uteri and a short, rounded tail. The new species is characterised by having spines in the tubular portion of the uterus, body 3.7-5.2 mm long, odontostyle 163-173 μm long, odontophore 96-100 μm long, body 62-80 μm diam., rounded tail, four juvenile stages, males rare with three ventromedian supplements next to the adcloacal pair and spicules 85 μm long. The polytomous identification codes of the new species are: A4-B3-C7b-D6-E456-F45-G4-H2-I23-J7b-K2-L1. The new species appears closely related to the members of X. pyrenaicum group which are characterised by a rounded tail with or without an inconspicuous projecting bulge and a uterus devoid of Z-differentiation but showing spiniform structures. The new species differs from members of the X. pyrenaicum group, which includes the recently described X. iranicum, by a more rounded tail without any projection. Beside morphological and morphometric data, molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rDNA gene (SSU) placed the new species in close relationship with some species belonging to Xiphinema morphospecies group 6 and further separated this species from the X. pyrenaicum complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhyssocolpus vinciguerrae sp. n., from natural habitats in Iran, is described, illustrated and sequenced. It is characterised by the body length of 1.04-1.37 mm, lip region offset by depression and 11-13 μm broad, odontostyle 8-10 μm or 0.7-0.8 times the lip region diam. long, neck 227-265 μm long, pharyngeal expansion 80-95 μm long or 31-35% of total neck length, a dorsal cell mass present between cardia and the end of the anterior ovary/testis, uterus bipartite, 90-170 μm long, vulva longitudinal (V = 48-55), abundant irregularities in body cuticle around vulva, female tail conical with rounded terminus (35-55 μm, c = 24-34, c′ = 1.4-1.9), spicules 43-51 μm long and 6-8 spaced ventromedian supplements located outside the range of the spicules. It is very similar to R. aquilonius, R. arcticus and R. iuventutis. A molecular characterisation of the new species was done on ribosomal DNA nearfull-length small subunit 18S gene, internal transcribed spacer and partial 5.8S gene. The results obtained support a close relationship between Rhyssocolpus and Heterodorus, and a more distant relationship with Enchodelus. [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]

A new species with a rounded tail belonging to the Enchodelus macrodorus-group is described from a natural habitat in the vicinity of Kaleibar City, north-west Iran. Enchodelus babakicus n. sp. is characterised by its medium sized body (1.21-1.56 mm), lip region offset by a marked constriction, odontostyle 40-45 μm long, tripartite uterus and presence of abundant males with 49-61 μm long spicules and 10-14 spaced ventromedian supplements. The new species is close to E. distinctus, E. groenlandicus, E. macrodorus, E. microdoroides and E. saxifragae. A population of E. macrodorus was also found in the same sample as the new species. Molecular analysis was inferred from sequencing of 18S rDNA and ITS1 regions of three species of the genus from Iran, including E. babakicus n. sp., E. macrodorus and E. veletensis, together with other available sequences in GenBank. The sequences showed that E. babakicus n. sp. belongs to a clade formed by Enchodelus species characterised by a rounded tail. [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]

Xiphinema iranicum n. sp. is described from soil samples collected about the rhizosphere of Rosa sp. growing in a natural mountainous region close to Maragheh city, north-western Iran. The new species belongs to group 6 of the polytomous key to species identification and is unique by having a medium body length (3.8-4.3 mm), odontostyle length of 141-162 μm, odontophore length of 90-98 μm, mid-body diam. of 69-88 μm, presence of spines in the uterus and a hemispherical to conoid tail with a rounded terminus or minute bulge. It resembles X. ingens, X. aceri, X. aequum, X. smoliki, X. illyricum, X. macedonicum and X. vuittenezi but differs from X. aceri and X. aequum by having different tail shape, longer odontophore, lower ratio a, higher ratio c and lower ratio c′. Compared to X. ingens and X. smoliki, it differs by having lower ratio a, lower ratio b, spines in uterus vs crystalline bodies plus pseudo Z-organ in X. ingens and spines plus pseudo Z-organ in X. smoliki and also by the presence of rare males, and, finally, it can be distinguished from X. vuittenezi by body and odontostyle length, characters of juveniles and molecular differences. The new species has similar polytomous identification codes to X. illyricum and X. macedonicum but can be differentiated from both by longer body, higher ratio c, higher V, longer odontostyle and odontophore and larger body diam. at mid-body and anus level. Ribosomal gene 18S rDNA and ITS1 of X. iranicum n. sp., X. aceri, X. montenegrinum and X. macedonicum, all obtained from north-western Iran in the same survey, were sequenced to investigate the phylogenetic relationships with other sequenced Xiphinema species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]