World Database of Nematodes

Leduc, D.; Sinniger, F. (2018). Combining morphological and molecular data to classify Laxus sakihariiae sp. n., a new stilbonematine nematode (Nematoda: Desmodoridae) from the coast of Sesoko Island, Japan. Nematology. 20(1): 81-95.

389558

10.1163/15685411-00003126 [view]

Leduc, D.; Sinniger, F.

2018

20(1): 81-95

Publication

Available for editors   [request]

Because of their relatively simple body plan, the number of morphological characters used to differentiate between closely related nematode genera is often limited. In addition, boundaries among genera sometimes become blurred due to the appearance of new trait combinations as more new species are described. Molecular phylogenetic analyses can address the shortcomings of morphological taxonomy by clarifying relationships among closely related species and genera and can help identify which morphological characters are taxonomically informative. Here, we describe Laxus sakihariiae sp. n. from shallow subtidal sands on Sesoko Island in the Okinawa prefecture, investigate phylogenetic relationships with other stilbonematine species and genera based on SSU rDNA sequences, and provide the first LSU rDNA sequence for the subfamily. The new species can be easily distinguished from all other species of the genus by the presence in the male of subventral and ventral rows of stout and spine-like setae in the pre- and postcloacal regions. This feature suggests affinities with the closely related genus Leptonemella, although the SSU consensus tree clearly shows that the new species forms a monophyletic clade together with the other Laxus species for which sequences are available. The structure of the cephalic capsule in L. sakihariiae sp. n., which consists of a block layer between the median and basal zones of the cephalic cuticle, is consistent with the placement of this species. This trait is not currently used as a diagnostic feature, but our finding suggests that the structure of the cephalic capsule may be taxonomically useful for differentiating between some stilbonematine genera.

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