A New Species of Parasphaerolaimus Ditlevsen 1919 (Nematoda: Sphaerolaimidae) from the Bay of Bengal
In: Thalassas. Universidad de Vigo: Vigo. ISSN 0212-5919; e-ISSN 2366-1674, more
|  |
| Keywords |
Taxonomic status > New taxa > New species
Parasphaerolaimus bengalensis Manna, Balakrishnan & Ansari, 2025 [WoRMS]
|
| Authors | | Top |
- Manna, C.
- Balakrishnan, S.
- Ansari, K.G.M.T.
|
|
|
| Abstract |
A new predatory free-living marine nematode species Parasphaerolaimus bengalensis sp. nov. is described from the Champa estuary, West Bengal, India. The new species is characterised by the presence of striated cuticle with lateral alae, numerous longitudinal rows of cervical setae, curved spicules with rounded distal ends, rather large dorso-caudal gubernaculum apophysis, paired testis, and females with mono prodelphic ovary. It differs from other species of Parasphaerolaimus by its body length, amphidial size, spicules morphology, and length of gubernaculum apophysis. Comparative morphological study along with spicules and gubernaculum structure has been carried out for all valid species of the genus Parasphaerolaimus and highlighted. In general, Parasphaerolaimus was widespread in various habitats; the current species identified in the estuarine ecosystem is characterized by muddy sediment and promotes most predatory nematodes, including Parasphaerolaimus bengalensis sp. nov. This study also suggests this is the first documentation from the Indian waters of predatory free-living marine nematode species. |
|
