Phasmarhabditis bohemica n. sp (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a slug-parasitic nematode from the Czech Republic

Phasmarhabditis bohemica n. sp. is described and illustrated from the body of Deroceras reticulatum from the village of Chel. cice, the Czech Republic. Morphological and molecular data showed that the new isolate is close to other species of Phasmarhabditis, particularly P. californica and P. papillosa. Females are characterised by a body length of 2079 (1777-2222) mu m and a long tapering tail with prominent papilliform phasmids located laterally in the mid-tail region. Males are 1683 (1515-1818) mu m long. They have a peloderan bursa, with nine pairs of rays, 1/1/1/2/1/3, and a reflexed testis 495 (434-555) mu m long. Dauer juveniles are thin, 553 (474-636) mu m long, with prominent lateral fields consisting of two prominent ridges and three incisures. Small subunit (18S), ITS, and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA were used to analyse the phylogenetic relationships of sequenced species in Phasmarhabditis and other closely related species. Our preliminary observations suggest that the newly described species may be a facultative mollusc-parasitic nematode that is able to survive permanently in the saprobic phase on decaying organic matter. The ecology, morphology, and phylogenetic positions of P. bohemica n. sp. are discussed.