Studies on Domorganus macronephriticus Goodey, 1947 (Nematoda: Ohridiidae)

Abstract

The examination of Domorganus macronephriticus specimens isolated from soil samples from Germany and France, and from earthworms and soil in Russia revealed several previously unknown morphological features: (1) presence of two minute lateral tongues in the round lipless mouth opening; (2) absence of inner and outer labial papillae; (3) commalike amphids in the juveniles antedating the round amphids in adults; (4) ventral glands consisting of distinct canal and cell, with the gland body almost always situated on the right of the intestine; (5) presence of two large pseudocoelomocytes, located between the ventral gland body and the intestine; (6) presence of midventral prevulvar warts in the females, variable in size, number and position. In measurements and ratios females were more variable than males. The nematode lives as a commensal in the intestine of earthworms but is also commonly found free in soil. It is known to occur in various biotopes and soil types in six European countries.