First report of Megodontolaimus coxbazari Timm, 1969 (Nematoda: Chromadorida) from the Indian coast

Abstract

Free-living marine nematodes of the genus Megodontolaimus Timm, 1969 are represented by two species described from Bangladesh, namely M. coxbazari and M. sonadiae. The genus is characterized by six outer labial sensillae rather than labial papillae, as well as cresentic apophysis on the pharyngeal bulb, two-pronged dorsal tooth, single large ventral tooth and four cephalic sensilla. After more than four decades, M. coxbazari has been rediscovered from the intertidal coastal area of India for the first time as well as outside the type locality. M. coxbazari has one pair of alae along the body and a double oesophageal bulb similar to Timm’s description. The length of whole body, oesophagus, tail, and sensilla are within the range as described in the type materials. This report on the occurrence of such an interesting nematode adds relevance to biodiversity assessments.