A new species of the genus Xiphinema Cobb 1913 (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from north and northwest Iran

Five populations of a new dagger nematode species were recovered from natural grasslands and forests of north and northwest Iran, and described based upon morphological and molecular data in present paper. Xiphinema hyrcaniense n. sp. is characterized by 3.9-5.5 mm long females, having 102-142 mu m long odontostyle, 64-88 mu m long odontophore, guiding ring located at 115-147 mu m distance from anterior end, two equally developed genital branches having crystalloids in tubular part of uteri and pseudo-Z-organ at their junction with pars dilatata uteri, short, rounded to dorsally more convex tail with a mucro or in few specimens, without it. Common males with 72-95 mu m long spicules and four juvenile developmental stages. The new species is similar to six known species belonging to artificial morphospecies group 5, especially looking closest to X. montenegrinum in its general morphology, but could be separated by ontogenesis of tail shape and morphometric indices. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial large subunit, and internal transcribe spacer 1 ribosomal DNA (LSU D2-D3 and ITS1 rDNA) sequences, the new species formed a clade with X. cretense and Xiphinema sp. in LSU; and in ITS1 tree, with X. dentatum and X. paradentatum.

Automated summary

In this study, a new dagger nematode species Xiphinema hyrcaniense n. sp. was discovered and described in natural grasslands and forests of north and northwest Iran, showing similarities to known species in morphospecies group 5 but with differences in tail shape and morphometric indices. Molecular phylogenetic analyses placed the new species in clades with X. cretense, Xiphinema sp., X. dentatum, and X. paradentatum based on LSU and ITS1 rDNA sequences.