Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. (Nemata: Criconematidae) from Greece

Abstract

Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. is described and illustrated from a bisexual population found in Filippias, Epirus, Greece, in the rhizosphere of giant reed (Arundo donax) and unidentified aquatic plants along the edge of irrigation canals. Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. is characterized by a long stylet (more than 120 microm), body length (L = 1,078-1,634 microm; R = 303-362), and lateral field marked by three lateral lines in females and four in males. The lip region is distinctive in that the female labial disc is oval and offset from the first lip region annule, and protrudes markedly; the male labial disc is very large, offset and rectangular, and protrudes distinctly. Hemicycliophora hellenica n. sp. resembles H. megalodiscus Loof by possession of a strongly protruding labial disc, but differs in having a longer female body, more body annules, longer stylet, and dorsally and ventrally indented head annules. The male labial plate is larger than in H. megalodiscus, and the male has four incisures in the lateral field vs. three in H. megalodiscus.

Keywords: Criconematoidea; Greece; Hemicycliophora hellenica; morphology; nematode; new species; taxonomy.