Louwrens R. Tiedt

Heterorhabditis noenieputensis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from South Africa

A new entomopathogenic nematode in the genus Heterorhabditis is described from South Africa, from two singular isolates found 1000 km from each other, from beneath a fig tree and in a citrus orchard, respectively. Morphological and molecular studies indicate both isolates to be the same and a new undescribed Heterorhabditis species. Comparison of sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and the D2D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene with available sequences of other described species within the genus, indicate the two isolates as a new species. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data concerned placed the new species, H. noenieputensis n. sp., closest to H. indica and H. gerrardi in the indica-group. The new species, H. noenieputensis n. sp., is distinguished from other species in the genus by a combination of several morphological traits of the males and the infective juveniles (IJs). The new species differs from all other species previously described, as regards the body length of the IJs, except for H. indica and H. taysearae, in which the IJ is smaller. The IJ also differs from that of H. indica in the length of the oesophagus, the body diameter, the length of the tail and the E%. In addition, males of H. noenieputensis n. sp. differ from their closest relative, H. indica, in the position of the excretory pore, SW% and D%; and from H. gerrardi in the length of the oesophagus and SW%. The seventh pair of genital papillae of H. noenieputensis n. sp. are normally developed, while for H. indica they are often branched or swollen at the base, while 8 and 9 are usually absent in both species.

Steinernema citrae n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from South Africa

During a survey for entomopathogenic nematodes in citrus orchards throughout South Africa, a new species of Steinernema was isolated from a citrus orchard on Rietkloof farm, near the town of Piketberg in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The nematode was isolated from soil using the Galleria -baiting technique. Steinernema citrae n. sp. is characterised by the following morphological characters: third-stage infective juvenile with a body length of 754 (623-849) μ m, distance from head to excretory pore of 56 (49-64) μ m, tail length of 71 (63-81) μ m, and ratio E value of 110 (85-132). The lateral pattern for the new species is 2, 7, 8, 6, 4, 2 and is not typical for the genus. Steinernema citrae n. sp. is closely related the feltiae -group. The body length of the IJ is close to that of S. texanum and S. weiseri , though it differs in body diam., the length of the pharynx and E%. The male of S. citrae n. sp. differs from S. feltiae in the length and shape of the spicule and body diam. Steinernema citrae n. sp. differs from all species in the feltiae -group in the morphology of the vulva, as it has a single flapped, low, epiptygma. It also differs from the most closely related species, S. feltiae , as there is no interbreeding between the two species. In addition, the new nematode differs from other species of the feltiae -group by characteristics of the ITS and D2D3 regions of its rDNA.

Steinernema sacchari n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from South Africa

A new species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema sacchari n. sp., was isolated by trapping with the sugar cane borer, Eldana saccharina, from soil of a sugar cane field in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The new species is morphologically characterised by the length of the infective juvenile (IJ) of 680 (630-722) μm, tail length of 64 (51-74) μm, ratio a = 19 (14-23), H% = 49 (43-57) and E% = 82 (70-109). The pattern of the lateral field of the IJ of the new species is 2, 5, 2 ridges (3, 6, 3 lines or incisures). The male of the first generation can be recognised by the long spicule of 83 (73-89) μm, gubernaculum of 61 (50-68) μm, D% = 67 (54-88) and GS% = 73 (66-81). The first generation male lacks a mucron, while the second generation male always has one. The first generation female can be recognised by the vulval lips not being raised, the possession of long double-flapped epiptygmata and the lack of a postanal swelling. Analysis of the ITS and D2D3 regions showed S. sacchari n. sp. to differ from all other Steinernema species and to belong to a new monophyletic group, the ‘Cameroonian’ clade, consisting of S. cameroonense, S. nyetense and S. sacchari n. sp. This group is closely related to the feltiae-kraussei-oregonense Clade III.

Morphological and molecular characterisation and diagnostics of some species of Scutellonema Andrássy, 1958 (Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae) with a molecular phylogeny of the genus

Scutellonema spp. are widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the world and are associated with numerous agricultural and horticultural crops. Identification of many Scutellonema species is not always reliable, in part because many species share very similar diagnostic characters. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of S. brachyurus from the USA and South Africa, S. bradys from Nigeria and three unidentified species from California, USA, New Zealand and Burkina Faso. Morphological descriptions, measurements, light and scanning electron microscopic photos and drawings are given for S. brachyurus. Females of S. brachyurus from the USA (type A) and South Africa (type B) showed a significant variation in the number of sectors and blocks on the lip annuli, ranging from about 4-12 and from 8-20, respectively. Molecular analysis using the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and the COI mtDNA gene sequences revealed two distinct genotypes within S. brachyurus samples: type A (samples from USA, Italy, Korea, Taiwan) and type B (South Africa). Multivariate analyses determined that S. brachyurus from the USA and Taiwan (type A) differed from that from South Africa (type B) mainly in body, tail and DGO lengths, and ratios b′, c′, c and V. Phylogenetic relationships within Scutellonema are given as inferred from the analyses of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and the COI mtDNA gene sequences. PCR-RFLP diagnostic profiles and PCR with species-specific primers are developed for the studied Scutellonema species.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Hemicycliophora lutosa Loof & Heyns, 1969 and H. typica de Man,1921 from South Africa (Nematoda: Hemicycliophoridae)

Two Hemicycliophora species, H. lutosa and H. typica , found in samples from fallow soil and sugarcane soil in South Africa, were studied morphologically and, for the first time, molecularly. Diagnostic PCR-IT-rRNA-RFLP profiles generated by five restriction enzymes are provided. Study of phylogenetic relationships using D2-D3 expansion segment of 28S rRNA gene sequences revealed that H. lutosa was related to H. poranga . Hemicycliophora lutosa and H. poranga are compared morphologically. SEM photographs are given for H. typica and for H. lutosa for the first time. The male of H. typica represents a first report for South Africa.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of several Paratylenchus Micoletzky, 1922 (Tylenchida: Paratylenchidae) species from South Africa and USA, together with some taxonomic notes

Pin nematodes of the genus Paratylenchus are widely distributed across the world and associated with many plant species. Morphological identification of Paratylenchus species is a difficult task because it relies on many characters with a wide range of intraspecific variation. In this study we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of several pin nematodes: Paratylenchus aquaticus, P. dianthus, P. hamatus, P. nanus and P. straeleni, collected in different states of the USA and South Africa. Paratylenchus aquaticus is reported from South Africa and Hawaii and P. nanus is found from South Africa for the first time. Morphological descriptions, morphometrics, light and scanning electron microscopic photos and drawings are given for these species. Molecular characterisation of nematodes using the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequence revealed that samples morphologically identified as P. aquaticus, P. hamatus and P. nanus indeed represent species complexes containing several species. Sequences of the rRNA genes are also provided for several unidentified Paratylenchus. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Paratylenchus are given as inferred from the analyses of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequences. We present here the most complete phylogenetic analysis of the genus.

Revision of the family Carabodidae (Acari: Oribatida) VI. Mangabebodes kymatismosi gen. nov., sp. nov. and Antongilibodes paulae gen. nov., sp. nov. from Madagascar

This is the sixth in a series of revisions on the family Carabodidae, in which we describe and illustrate two new genera, Mangabebodes kymatismosi gen. nov., sp. nov. and Antongilibodes paulae gen. nov., sp. nov., both from the island of Madagascar. The work is based on adult specimens studied with the aid of optical and scanning electron microscopy. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5D0FD938-0B9A-4594-8FFE-65A8DD2B8CC4

Steinernema fabii n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from South Africa

The Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP), the University of Pretoria and the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Morphological and molecular studies on Aphelenchoides arachidis Bos, 1977 (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae) from groundnuts in South Africa

Aphelenchoides arachidis is reported for the first time from South Africa and for the fourth time outside Nigeria. The A. arachidis-infested pods from South Africa showed the following symptoms: small seeds with the testa wrinkled and darker in colour than that of non-infested seeds; the pods showed dark lesions and some seeds within the pods showed early germination. Differences between the two South African and the Nigerian populations of A. arachidis include more lateral lines in some specimens (2-4 vs 2) and, on average, longer post-uterine sac length (extending for 74 (41-96) and 62 (33-82) vs about 50% of vulva to anus distance). Scanning electron micrographs of this species are presented for the first time. The ITS regions of ribosomal DNA were amplified, sequenced, aligned and compared with other sequences of Aphelenchoides species. Two pathogenic fungi, Thielaviopsis basicola and Neocosmospora vasinfecta, were also isolated from this material.

The morphology and attachment of Protopolystoma xenopodis (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) infecting the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis

The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis (Anura: Pipidae) is host to more than 25 parasite genera encompassing most of the parasitic invertebrate groups. Protopolystoma xenopodis Price, 1943 (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) is one of two monogeneans infecting X. laevis. This study focussed on the external morphology of different developmental stages using scanning electron microscopy, histology and light microscopy. Eggs are released continuously and are washed out when the frog urinates. After successful development, an active swimming oncomiracidium leaves the egg capsule and locates a potential post-metamorphic clawed frog. The oncomiracidium migrates to the kidney where it attaches and starts to feed on blood. The parasite then migrates to the urinary bladder where it reaches maturity. Eggs are fusiform, about 300 μm long, with a smooth surface and are operculated. Oncomiracidia are elongated and cylindrical in shape, with an oval posterior cup-shaped haptor that bears a total of 20 sclerites; 16 marginal hooklets used for attachment to the kidney of the host and two pairs of hamulus primordia. Cilia from the 64 ciliated cells enable the oncomiracidium to swim for up to 24 h when the cilia subsequently curl up, become non-functional and are shed from the body. The tegument between the ciliated cells bears a series of sensory papillae. The body of the mature parasite is elongated and pyriform and possesses an opisthaptor armed with three pairs of suckers and two pairs of falciform hooks to ensure a firm grip on the flexible internal surface of the urinary bladder.