Description and molecular phylogeny of Ditylenchus gilanicus n. sp. (Nematoda: Anguinidae) from northern forests of Iran

Abstract

Ditylenchus gilanicus n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. The new species is characterized by its small body size, six lines in the lateral field, weak stylet with distinct rounded knobs, median pharyngeal bulb with refractive valvular apparatus, pharyngeal bulb offset from intestine, female reproductive system having long post-vulval uterine sac (PUS), elongate conoid tail with pointed tip and common males with small spicules. Morphological differences between the new species and eight closely related species of the genus namely D. australiae, D. dauniae, D. elegans, D. filenchulus, D. geraerti, D. longicauda, D. medicaginis and D. zeae are discussed. Phylogenetic analyses using partial 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA D2/D3 sequences revealed that the new species belong to D. triformis-group.