Descriptions of four new and a known species of Alaimidae (Alaimida: Nematoda) from Iran

Abstract

Four new and a known species of Alaimida are described and illustrated from Iran.

Alaimus iranicus sp. n. is characterized by having 1.0-1.2 mm long, slender body, continuous lip region, pore-like amphids at 15-18% of neck length from anterior end, mono-opisthodelphic female genital system with a small anterior uterine sac, elongate conoid tail and males with straight spicules and 4-5 ventromedian supplements. Alaimus mucrocaudatus sp. n. is characterized by having 0.9-1.1 mm long, slender body, continuous lip region, pore-like amphids at 23-27% of neck length from anterior end, noopisthodelphic female genital system, 7-9 mm long anterior uterine sac, agina with marked cuticularization, and elongate conoid, ventrally arcuate tail with a mucro. Paramphidelus andrassyi sp. n. is characterized by having a narrow, ÔJÕ-shaped body; lip region continuous with prominent cup-shaped amphids; mono-opisthodelphic female genital system with an anterior uterine sac; and elongate attenuated tail ending with a fine mucro. Paramphidelus didelphus sp. n. is characterized by having 1.1-1.4 mm long body; slightly offset lip region; amphidial opening chaliciform, 3-4 .m wide at 18-25 .m from anterior end; didelphic female genital system with anterior branch shorter than posterior; and slightly ventrally curved tail with distinct mucro. Alaimus parvus Thorne, 1939 is described for the first time from Iran.