Abstract A new genus and a new species are de- scribed for nematodes removed from the genital tract of Athoracophorus bitentaculatus in New Zealand.
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 1995, Vol. 22: 109-113 0301-4223/2201-0109 $2.50/0' © The Royal Society of New Zealand 1995
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Hugotdiplogaster neozelandia n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Diplogasteridae), a parasite of the New Zealand endemic slug, Athoracophorus bitentaculatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832) (Gastropoda: Athoracophoridae) SERGE MORAND Centre de Biologie et d'Ecologie tropicale et mediterraneenne (URA CNRS 698) Universite de Perpignan Av. de Villeneuve 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France
These nematodes are considered to be representatives of a new genus and a new species of the family Diplogasteridae and are described in this paper.
GARY M. BARKER New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture Research Institute Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre Private Bag 3123 Hamilton, New Zealand
Nematodes were removed from the penis and oviduct of slugs which had been preserved in alcohol or formalin. These nematodes were transferred to 70% ethanol, cleared with lactophenol, and mounted in glycerol. Figures were made with the aid of a drawing tube. Measurements given are for the holotype male, the allotype female, and five paratypes. All measurements are in micrometres.
Abstract A new genus and a new species are described for nematodes removed from the genital tract of Athoracophorus bitentaculatus in New Zealand. Hugotdiplogaster neozelandia n. gen., n. sp. is different from other genera in the Diplogasteridae by the shape of the stoma and by possessing a very robust and large gubernaculum. It is the first time that a diplogasterid has been reported associated with a mollusc. The localisation of the nematode in the genital tract of slugs raises questions about its life cycle and effect on the host.
Hugotdiplogaster n. gen. GENERIC DIAGNOSIS: Nematoda, Rhabditida Oerley, Diplogasteroidea Micoletzky, 1922, Diplogasteridae Micoletzky, 1922. Hugotdiplogaster n. gen. Oral opening round, lips absent, stoma circular, rhabdions fused, spicules fused distally, gubernaculum robust larger than spicules with complex shape; 9 pairs of male genital papillae; female with a cuticular projection covering the vulva aperture. Type species: Hugotdiplogaster neozelandia n. sp. (by monotypy). TAXONOMIC NOTES: The shape of the oesophagus and the number and the arrangement of male papillae place the specimens in Diplogasteridae sensu Poinar (1977). According to Andrassy (1976), 26 genera are recognised in the Diplogasteridae. All possess a complex stoma, with the exception of Diplogasteroides de Man, 1912 and Goffartia Hirschmann, 1952. Our specimens resemble the latter genera in the shape of the stoma, but differ in the robust gubernaculum and in the cuticular projection covering the vulva aperture. The specimens do not correspond with any previously described genus (Goodey 1963; Andrassy 1976; Poinar 1977; Bongers 1988), in particular by: (1) possessing a very
Keywords Nematoda; Diplogasteridae; Hugotdiplogaster neozelandia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Athoracophoridae; Athoracophorus bitentaculatus
INTRODUCTION During dissection of preserved Athoracophoridae, several nematodes were removed from the penis and oviduct of preserved specimens of the species A thoracophorus bitentaculatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832).
Received 2 February 1994; accepted 30 August 1994
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Morand & Barker—Hugotdiplogaster neozelandia n. gen., n. sp.
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robust gubernaculum larger in size than the spicules; (2) a very simple circular stoma without denticles and distinct rhabdions; (3) cuticular projection covering the vulva. We propose to erect a new genus, Hugotdiplogaster, to accommodate our material.
DESCRIPTION: Adults. Small species. No lateral alae. Round oral opening. 4 inner papillae visible. 2 small amphids (Fig. 2C). No special structure in the lateral field. Rhabdions fused in a circular stoma. No denticles or structures visible (Fig. 2D). Diplogasterid oesophagus. Ring nerve at the level of isthHugotdiplogaster neozelandia n. sp. m u s b e t W een the muscular median bulb and the (Fig. 1-2, Tables 1-2) glandular basal bulb (Fig. 1 A, 2F). Both bulbs valveSPECIES DIAGNOSIS: Median and basal bulbs valve- less. Excretory pore at the level of glandular bulb less; male tail with a small mucron on tip; bursa ab- (Fig. 1 A, 2F). sent; 9 pairs of papillae: 3 ventral pre-cloacal, 1 M a l e Measurements are given in Table 1. De Man ventral post-cloacal, 3 ventral post-cloacal, and 2 r a t i o s ; a = 1 9 j (17.5-21.2), b = 6.4 (6.2-6.7), c = lateral post-cloacal; vulva in median position. 17
