Morphological and molecular characterization of Laimaphelenchus deconincki (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) based on specimens from Iran

Abstract

During a survey for nematodes associated with conifers in northern Iran, a known species of Laimaphelenchus was found in the bark samples of Taxus baccata L. trees and is described and illustrated here as L. deconincki Elmiligy & Geraert, 1972. It is characterized by lacking a distinct labial disc on the cephalic region; having six amalgamated labial sectors of equal width, separated by pairs of well-developed ribs; three lines in lateral field; the presence of a vulva flap; vagina surrounded by a cuticularised tube in which the walls vary in thickness; the post-uterine sac 25–62 μm long; tail with a single stalk-like terminus and four pedunculate tubercles; and absence of males. L. deconincki is morphologically very similar to L. cocuccii, but differs in the shape of the vaginal musculature (more angular vs round). Additional information on morphological characters and also the phylogenetic relationships of this known species using sequences of the D2/D3 region of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene is provided and added herein.