Description of two new species of Prodontorhabditis Timm, 1961 (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) from India

Abstract

Two new species, Prodontorhabditis robustus sp. n. and P. grandistoma sp. n. are described and illustrated from rotting banana rhizome and decaying organic matter respectively. P. robustus sp. n. is characterized by thin and slender females with L= 490–625 µm; a= 25.8–34.7; b= 4.9–6.4; c= 2.4–3.7, an arched cheilostom with curved walls bearing basal dorsal and subventral denticles at the same level, males with 20–23 µm long, robust spicules with prominent dorsal velum and lateral spurs at its bifurcated distal tip and gubernaculum with attenuated proximal end. P. grandistoma sp. n. is characterized by plump females with L= 440–552 µm; a= 23.9–25.5; b= 4.4–5.7; c= 2.9–4.2, a long, narrow stoma of length 6–7 times diameter; the cheilostom straight but, wider anteriorly with a basal dorsal denticle and anterior subventral denticles, rectum with dilated lumen, males with 17–20 µm long, relatively slender spicules and a terminally indented bursa. This is the first report of Prodontorhabditis species from India. An updated list of species, a key to their identification and a compendium of their morphometrics and diagnostic features is presented.