Two new nematode species of the genus Zalonema (Desmodorida, Desmodoridae, Desmodorinae) from mangrove wetlands, China
Two new species of the genus <i>Zalonema</i> Cobb, 1920 were identified during a meiofaunal survey of mangrove sediment in China. <i>Zalonema eurysbucca</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is characterized by body length 1772-2309 µm, cuticle with transverse annuli; cephalic setae measuring 1-2 µm, and eight subcephalic setae (2-3 µm) arranged in a circle between the cephalic setae and the anterior margin of the amphid; amphideal fovea (4-4.5 turns) located laterally on the main posterior portion of the cephalic capsule; buccal cavity large and cup-shaped, with twelve cheilorhabdia in the vestibule, a cuticularized dorsal tooth, and minute ventral tooth; males possess lateral and ventral alae; spicule length (as arc) about 1.13-1.34 times the anal body diameter (abd); a small cup-shaped preanal supplement is present, and the ventral ala exhibit pore-like depressions at the somatic setae positions. <i>Zalonema cylindribucca</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is distinguished by the following characteristics: body length 1158-1451 μm; cuticle with transverse annuli; four cephalic setae (2-3 µm) and eight subcephalic setae (2-3 µm) arranged in separate circular rows; amphideal fovea with 3-3.5 turns; cylindrical buccal cavity containing 12 cheilorhabdia arranged circularly in the vestibule; a large dorsal tooth located near the cheilorhabdia base and a small ventral tooth at the buccal cavity's base; males possess both lateral alae and ventral ala, spicules measuring 1.07-1.19 times the anal body diameter (as arc), a small cup-shaped preanal supplement present, and the ventral ala exhibit small pore-like depressions at somatic setae positions.
Authors
- Yuzhen Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8953-0756)
- Yuqing Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9177-0144)
Institutions
- Jimei University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ZooKeys
- Published
- 2025-11-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1260.164776
- Primary Topic
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province