Description of two new monhysterid species (Nematoda) from Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Two new monhysterid species collected from a ditch, rich in wet humus and organic matter, in Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India, have been described and illustrated. Monhystrella kerryi sp. n. is characterised by small-sized females (L = 440-510 μm, a = 21-26, b = 5.52-6.41, c = 3.49-4.32, c’ = 7.86-10, V = 57-63), smooth cuticle, funnel-shaped stoma with a small dorsal tooth, posterior vulva and presence of an ovoid glandular body opening distally into vaginal lumen. The other species, Hofmaenneria keoladeoensis sp. n., is characterised by a large-sized body (L =1008-1243 μm; a = 43-47; b = 6.09-6.40; c = 5.94-6.12; c’ = 10.2-10.27; V = 69-71), distinctly annulated cuticle, large and well developed labial setae, sexual dimorphism not found in amphidial apertures, relatively posterior vulva, presence of three glandular bodies opening into vaginal lumen distally and males with 23-25 μm long spicules.