title: Steinernema biddulphin. sp., a New Entomopathogenic Nematode (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) from South Africa.
abstract: A new species of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN),Steinernema biddulphin. sp., was isolated from a maize field in Senekal, Free State Province of South Africa. Morphological and molecular studies indicated the distinctness ofS. biddulphin. sp. from otherSteinernemaspecies.Steinernema biddulphin. sp. is characterized IJs with average body length of 663 μm (606-778 μm), lateral fields with six ridges in mid-body region forming the formula 2,6,2. Excretory pore located anterior to mid-pharynx (D% = 46). Hyaline layer occupies approximately half of tail length. Male spicules slightly to moderately curved, with a sharp tip and golden brown in color. The first generation of males lacking a mucron on the tail tip while the second generation males with a short filamentous mucron. Genital papillae with 11 pairs and one unpaired preanal papilla. The new species is further characterized by sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial 28S regions (D2-D3) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Phylogenetic data show thatS. biddulphin. sp. belongs to the "bicornutum" clade within the Steinernematidae family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Harun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cimen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Entomopathogenic Nematodes, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vladimír
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Půža
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Entomopathogenic Nematodes, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic.
authors.forename: JiŘí
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: NermuŤ
authors.affiliation: South African Agricultural Research Council, Small Grain Institute, Private Bag X29, Bethlehem, 9701, South Africa.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hatting
authors.affiliation: South African Agricultural Research Council, Small Grain Institute, Private Bag X29, Bethlehem, 9701, South Africa.
authors.forename: Tshima
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ramakuwela
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selcuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hazir
keywords: D2-D3; ITS; South Africa; Steinernema biddulphi; entomopathogenic nematodes; new species; phylogeny; taxonomy