New species of Epacanthion (Nematoda: Thoracostomopsidae) from Patagonia coast, Río Negro and Chubut, Argentina

Abstract

Two new free-living marine nematodes belonging to the family Thoracostomopsidae, subfamily Enoplolaiminae and the genera Epacanthion are described from Patagonian coastal areas, Río Negro and Chubut provinces of Argentina. In Epacanthion bicuspidatum sp. nov. the main features are: two cusps on distal mandible end; presence of two rings of eight setae in the cervical region; and eight crown-shaped setae along the body, presence of one supplement distant two cloacal body diameter (cbd) from cloacae, gubernaculum and short spicule. Epacanthion ampullatum sp. nov. is characterized by having a tubular and long pre-cloacal supplement, short spicule, presence of gubernaculum, presence of three long setae on the tip of the tail, the presence of one supplement distant three cbd from cloacae and the presence of two small cusps on the distal end of the mandible. Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2012.