Molecular and morphological characterization of n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina, Sphaerulariidae) associated with bark samples of from western Iran.

A new species of Paurodontoides, P. siddiqii n. sp., is described and illustrated based on its morphological, morphometric, and molecular characters. The new species is characterized by a female 550-729 μm long, lip region continuous with body contour, stylet length 7.0-8.0 μm long or c. 1.0-1.2 times the lip region diameter, lateral fields with four smooth incisures, excretory pore at 85-125 μm from anterior end located at the base of the pharyngeal bulb or posterior to it, basal pharyngeal bulb with a short posterior extension projecting into the intestine, monodelphic-prodelphic reproductive system with prominent 19-22 μm long post-uterine sac, and elongate conoid tail with a filiform terminus. The new species is compared with two known species of the genus. It differs from the type species of the genus, P. linfordi, by having slightly shorter stylet, lateral field with smooth incisures, different position of the excretory pore, and absence of male. Compared to P. latus, the new species has a shorter body, shorter stylet, different position of the excretory pore, female tail shape and absence of male. The new species was also compared with close species of the genus Paurodontus because of lateral field marked with four lines, asymmetrical stylet knobs and absence of male. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the new species using partial sequences of 18S rDNA revealed that it forms a clade with a species of the genus Ficotylus. In phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of the 28S rDNA D2-D3 domain, the new species formed a monophyletic group with a species of the genus Veleshkinema and Sphaerularia spp. (Sphaerulariinae).