Zhan F, Tian C, Li H, Yang R, Bao H, Zhang S, Zhang X, Shi Y, Tomalak M, Půža V, Guo W
College of Life Sciences and Technology, https://ror.org/059gw8r13Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang830046, China.
Institute of Microbiology, https://ror.org/023cbka75Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Environmental Microbiology, Urumqi, Xinjiang830091, China.
J Helminthol. 2025 Jul 24;99:e80. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X25100448.
A novel entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species, n. sp., was isolated from soil samples collected in a forest located in Yuli County within the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, China. Integrated morphological and molecular analyses consistently place n. sp. within the 'clade'. The infective juvenile (IJ) of new species is characterized by a body length of 674-1010 μm, excretory pore located 53-80 μm from anterior end, nerve ring positioned 85-131 μm from anterior end, pharynx base situated 111-162 μm from anterior end, a tail length of 41-56 μm, and the ratios D% = 42.0-66.6, E% = 116.2-184.4, and H% = 25.5-45.1. The first-generation male of the new species is characterized by a curved spicule length of 61-89 μm, gubernaculum length of 41-58 μm, and ratios D% = 36.8-66.2, SW% = 117.0-206.1, and GS% = 54.8-82.0. Additionally, the tail of first-generation female is conoid with a minute mucron. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, 28S, and sequences demonstrated that the three isolates of n. sp. are conspecific and form a sister clade to members of the 'clade' including , , , and Notably, the IJs of the new species exhibited faster development at 25°C compared to other species. This represents the first described of an indigenous EPN species from Xinjiang, suggesting its potential as a novel biocontrol agent against local pests.
