Nematoda (Oxyuroidea: Thelastomatidae) From Australian Passalid Beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae) With Descriptions of New Species.

Abstract

Three new genera are proposed for nematodes recovered from the hindgut of Aulacocyclus mastersi, a passalid beetle collected in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, N.S.W., Australia. Anuronema (type-species A. kuringa n.sp.) is characterized by the virtual absence of a tail (only a rounded body terminus) in the female. Males are unknown. Phalacronema (type-species P. ardleyi n.sp.) has a conspicuous offset head, annulated cuticle without spines or scales, well developed lateral alae terminating behind the anus, and a didelphic reproductive system. Only females are known. Sprentia (type-species S. australis n.sp.) is characterized by head polymorphism with a conspicuous, campaniform head region in the female, but an inconspicuous, rounded, not offset head in the male; annulated cuticle, without spines; well developed lateral alae in both sexes; posterior oesophageal bulb feebly demarcated; female didelphic, male monorchic with a single thelastomatid spicule and 4 pairs of ventrolateral posterior papillae, 2 pairs precloacal and 2 post-cloacal. [AS]