Description of Aphelenchoides persicus sp. n. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Iran

During a survey on the soil nematodes, a population of the genus Aphelenchoides was collected around the rhizosphere of persimmon in Guilan Province, Iran. The morphological and molecular characters confirmed the new species, namely A. persicus sp. n. The new species is characterized by a female body length (699-1068 μm), lip region offset from the rest of the body by a slight constriction, lateral fields with six incisures, stylet 12-13.5 μm long, with a clear basal swelling, excretory pore ca 1.5 metacorpal length posterior to base of the metacorpus, post uterine sac elongate, about 4-7 times than the vulval body diameter; conical female tail with a single centrally located mucron with tiny projection close to the tail tip, male body length (663-908 μm), and spicule well developed with rounded condylus, blunt conical rostrum, and a hook-like tip of dorsal limb. The new species belongs to the Group 2 category of Aphelenchoides species and was similar to seven known species with six lateral field incisures, including A. allius, A. chinensis, A. meghalayensis, A. nechaleos, A. paranechaleos, A. parasexlineatus, and A. sexlineatus. The molecular phylogeny based on 28S rDNA revealed that the new species stands close to A. hamospiculatus (MN931591; MN931592) and two unidentified Aphelenchoides (KY769057; LC583315). The measurements, line illustrations, LM photographs, and phylogenetic analysis are given for the new species.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Two Florida Populations of Foliar Nematodes (Aphelenchoides spp.) Isolated From Strawberry With the Description of Aphelenchoides pseudogoodeyi sp. n. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) and Notes on Their Bionomics

Two Florida populations of foliar nematodes were collected from strawberries originating from Cashiers, North Carolina (USA) located west from Willard, the type locality of Aphelenchoides besseyi. Both nematodes were cultured on Monilinia fructicola and identified using morphological characteristics and molecular assays as Aphelenchoides besseyi and Aphelenchoides pseudogoodeyi sp. n., a herein described new species related to Aphelenchoides goodeyi belonging to the Group of Aphelenchoides exhibiting stellate tails. The morphological and biological characters of Florida A. besseyi fit those of the original description of this species. A. pseudogoodeyi sp. n., which was initially misidentified as Aphelenchoides fujianensis, differed from the type population of the latter species from China because it was without males, and females lacked a functional spermatheca, whereas type A. fujianensis is an amphimictic species. Phylogenetic analyses using near full-length 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), the D2-D3 expansion fragments of 28S rRNA, and partial COI gene sequences indicated that A. besseyi is a species complex. A. pseudogoodeyi sp. n. grouped in different clades from those of the type A. fujianensis, instead merging with populations identified of 'A. fujianensis' from Brazil and other countries, suggesting that the latter are conspecific and incorrectly identified. The Florida A. besseyi infected strawberry and gerbera daisy, but not soybean and alfalfa. A. pseudogoodeyi sp. n. is mainly mycetophagous. Localized inoculation of 300 specimens applied with filter paper adhering to the blade of the soybean leaves resulted in nematode penetration into the mesophyll with subsequent development of lesions limited to the inoculated area of the blade.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Aphelenchoides primadentus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from northern Iran

Aphelenchoides primadentusn. 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 502-613μm in females and 461-564μm in males, presence of three lines in the lateral fields, a low lip region slightly offset by a shallow depression, 11.1-13.8μm 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 atcaone 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 19-22μm 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, namelyA. iranicusandA. heidelbergi. Compared toA. ensete,A. huntensisandA. 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. composticolaandA. 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 (COImtDNA) 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 withA. ritzemabosiin SSU, and three other species,A. besseyi,A. ritzemabosiandA. fujianensis, in theCOItree.

Molecular and morphological characterisation of Aphelenchoides kheirii n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Pinus nigra in north-western Iran

Aphelenchoides kheirii n. sp. was isolated during a survey of nematodes associated with bark samples of pine trees (Pinus nigra) in West Azerbaijan province, north-western Iran. The new species has a body length of 500 (448-520) μm in the female and 442 (402-480) μm in the male. The cuticle is weakly annulated with four lateral lines and the lip region is offset. The stylet is 10.4 (10-11) μm long with small basal swellings and the excretory pore located immediately posterior to base of metacorpus; hemizonid invisible. The post-vulval uterine sac length 37.7 (28-45) μm. Spicules are relatively short (18-20 μm in dorsal limb) and the end of the dorsal limb clearly curved ventrally like a hook. The male tail has usual three pairs of caudal papillae (2 + 2 + 2) and a well-developed mucron. The female tail is conical, terminating in a complicated step-like projection, usually with many tiny nodular protuberances. The new species belongs to the Group 2 category of Aphelenchoides species sensu Shahina in which ten known species among Groups 2 and 4 sensu Shahina, namely: A. arcticus, A. blastophthorus, A. fuchsi, A. parasaprophilus, A. paraxui, A. xui, A. dactylocercus, A. gynotylurus, A. iranicus and A. saprophilus are the most similar species. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit (SSU) and partial large subunit (LSU) sequences of rRNA supported the morphological results.

Description of Aphelenchoides giblindavisi n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), and Proposal for a New Combination

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 μm in females and 523 to 679 μm 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 μm 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.

A molecular phylogenetic approach for unravelling the taxonomic status of Basilaphelenchus persicus n. gen., n. sp. (Aphelenchoididae: Tylaphelenchinae)

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, monodelphic-prodelphic 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.

Description of Aphelenchoides macrospica n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Northwestern Iran

Aphelenchoides macrospica n. sp. is described and illustrated from the West Azerbayjan province, northwestern Iran. The new species is characterized by its body length of 807 to 963 μm (males) and 792 to 1,094 μm (females), offset cephalic region, lateral fields with four incisures, long stylet with 15 to 16 μm length, and excretory pore situated opposite or behind the nerve ring. Pharyngeal glands overlapping intestine dorsally and extending for 90 to 121 μm, tail terminus mucronate in both sexes. Vagina directed anteriad, and spicules are relatively large (27-32 μm) with well-developed broadly rounded apex and condylus. The new species comes close to seven known species of the genus namely A. arcticus, A. blastophthorus, A. haguei, A. huntensis, A. lucknowensis, A. parasaprophilus, and A. xui, but it differs from them by the body size, stylet length, size of spicules, and length of postvulval uterine sac. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of 28S and 18S rDNA, confirmed its status as a new species.

Aphelenchoides eldaricus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Pinus eldarica in western Iran

Aphelenchoides eldaricusn. sp. is described and illustrated from wood and bark samples of a dead Mondell pine in Kermanshah Province, western Iran. The new species has a body length of 597 (507-700) μm (females) and 662 (636-695) μm (males). The cuticle is weakly annulated with three lateral lines and the lip region is offset. The stylet is 9.6 (9-10) μm long with small basal swellings and the excretory pore is locatedcaone body diam. posterior to the metacorpus valve. The spicules are large with the dorsal limb 40 (38-42) μm long with a prominent rostrum and rounded apex. The female tail is conical, tapering gradually to an acute terminus with a simple ventral mucron. The male tail bears six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae and a well-developed mucron. The new species belongs to the Group 2 category ofAphelenchoidesspecies and is close to four known species, namelyA. cibolensis,A. indicus,A. rutgersiandA. sacchari. Molecular analyses of the partial 18S and the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene confirmed its morphological status as a new species.

Aphelenchoides salixae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Salix alba in western Iran

Aphelenchoides salixaen. sp. was isolated from wood and bark samples of a dead willow in Kermanshah Province, western Iran. The nematodes were collected directly from wood samples and were successfully reared onBotrytis cinerea. The new species has a body length of 567 (507-620) μm (females) and 382 or 400 μm (males). The cuticle is weakly annulated with four lateral lines. Lip region offset. The stylet is 9.5 (9-10) μm long with small basal swellings. The excretory pore is locatedcaone body diam. posterior to the metacorpus valve. The spicules are short with the dorsal limb 14 or 15 μm long (n = 2), apex and rostrum rounded and only slight offset. The female tail is cylindrical with a broadly rounded terminus. The male tail is conical, bearing six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae with a hamate mucron at terminus. The new species belongs to the Group 1 category ofAphelenchoidesspecies and is close to seven known species, namely:A. capsuloplanus,A. confusus,A. limberi,A. obtusicaudatus,A. obtusus,A. orientalisandA. rotundicaudatus. Molecular analyses of the partial 18S, D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA genes and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) supported it as a new species and that the new species is closest toA.besseyi,A. fujianensisandA. ritzemabosiin dendrograms inferred using 18S and 28S D2-D3 genes.

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Aphelenchoides fuchsi sp. n. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) Isolated from Pinus eldarica in Western Iran

Aphelenchoides fuchsi sp. n. is described and illustrated from bark and wood samples of a weakened Mondell pine in Kermanshah Province, western Iran. The new species has body length of 332 to 400 µm (females) and 365 to 395 µm (males). Lip region set off from body contour. The cuticle is weakly annulated, and there are four lines in the lateral field. The stylet is 8 to 10 μm long and has small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located ca one body diam. posterior to metacorpus valve or 51 to 62 μm from the head. The postuterine sac well developed (60-90 µm). Spicules are relatively short (15-16 μm in dorsal limb) with apex and rostrum rounded, well developed, and the end of the dorsal limb clearly curved ventrad like a hook. The male tail has usual three pairs of caudal papillae (2+2+2) and a well-developed mucro. The female tail is conical, terminating in a complicated step-like projection, usually with many tiny nodular protuberances. The new species belongs to the Group 2 sensu Shahina, category of Aphelenchoides species. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit (SSU) and partial large subunit (LSU) sequences of rRNA supported the morphological results.

Description of Pseudaphelenchus zhoushanensis n. sp. (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae) found in the wood of Pinus thunbergii at Zhoushan Islands, Zhejiang Province, China

Pseudaphelenchus zhoushanensis n. sp. was isolated from a dead Pinus thunbergii at Changgang Mountain, Zhoushan Islands, Zhejiang Province, China. It is characterised by the small to medium length body, cuticle slightly annulated, presence of three lateral lines, stylet 9.0-10.7 μm with small but conspicuous basal knobs, excretory pore located from same level as the metacorpus to slightly anterior to metacorpus, true bursa surrounding entire tail but inconspicuous, male tail conical with a single mucron, spicule with distinct condylus and rostrum strongly arcuate to a pointed end, female tail conical with annulation, strongly ventrally bent in distal part of tail, with terminus bluntly pointed or finely mucronate. Phylogenetic analyses using sequences of the18S and 28S D2-D3 regions of rDNA confirmed the status of P. zhoushanensis n. sp. as a new species. Combining the molecular phylogenetic analyses, morphology and biology of P. zhoushanensis n. sp. and Tylaphelenchus jiaae indicates that T. jiaae is a member of Pseudaphelenchus to which it is herein transferred as P. jiaae n. comb. (= T. jiaae).

Aphelenchoides iranicus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from West Azerbaijan province, Iran

Aphelenchoidesiranicusn. sp. is described and illustrated from bark samples of an oak tree (Quercussp.) in West Azerbaijan province, north-western Iran. The new species is characterised by body length of 350 (330-383) μm in females and 343 (323-370) μm in males, lip region set off from body contour, lateral fields with three lines, stylet 8 (7-9) μm long with small basal swellings, excretory pore 59 (56-62) μm from anterior end, hemizonid invisible, pharyngeal glands overlapping intestine dorsally and extending for 48 (41-54) μm, female tail subcylindrical with many tiny finger-like appendages at the tip, and male with aphelenchoid type spicules 17.6 (17-18) μm long. The new species comes close to nine known species of the genus namely:A. brevicaudatus,A. cibolensis,A. conimucronatus,A. editocaputis,A. montanus,A. pusillus,A. rarus,A. sphaerocephalusandA. vaughani, but differs from them by the number of incisures in the lateral field, shape of tail mucron, stylet length, size of spicules and length of post-vulval uterine sac. Additionally, this species is characterised molecularly and phylogenetically by sequences of the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S and partial 18S rRNA genes that are unique in relation to the sequences deposited in GenBank.