Dimensions: 14 females (paratypes): L = 0.546
(0.525-).620) mm; a = 40 (36-47); b = 6.5 (6.3-7.1); c
= 3.0 (2.5-3.1); c' = 21.9 ( 20.0-25.0); V = 51 (46-53);
stylet = 12 (11-13) um.
5 males (paratypes): L = 0.540 (0.520-0.558) mm; a = 37 (35-45);
b
= 6.4 (6.2-6.6); c = 2.9 (2.8-3.0); T = 23.5 (23-25);
stylet = 11 (10-13) um.
Holotype female: L = 0.540 mm; a = 36; b =
6.4;
c = 2.6; c' = 20.6; V = 46.2; stylet = 11um.
Description:
Females: Body attenuated posteriorly, rather sharply
from the anus, forming a long filiform tail. On fixation, body anterior
to anus almost straight, posterior to anus slightly curved ventrally.
Body cuticle coarsely striated, striations 1.5-2.5um apart in the
neck region and 1.3-2.0um in the mid-body. Lateral fields
occupying about one third of body width and marked with 3 incisures.
No lonigitudinal lines on the cuticle.
Lip region without annulations, flatly rounded in
contour. En face view shows centrally located oral aperature
surrounded by distinct lip cap and six lips, of which the laterals are
slightly larger and bear the minute amphidial openings. Sclerotization
distinct. Hemizonid at level of anterior end of basal bulb, extending
2 body annules. Excretory pore just behind hemizonid, 66-70um
from anterior end. Stylet well developed, conus and shaft of about
equal size; basal knobs rounded measuring 2.0-3.0um across.
Opening of dorsal oesophageal gland located 1.5-2.5um behind stylet
base. Procorpus and isthmus almost equal in length. Median
bulb spherical; basal bulb pyriform; cardia distinct. Intestinal
cells filled with granules. Rectum equal to one anal body width or
slightly longer.
Ovary single, prodelphic,outstretched; spermatheca
somewhat elongated, 12-14 x 7-9 um in size, filled with sperm.
Post-vulvar uterine sac absent. Vagina occupies one third of vulval
body width; vulva with a distinct vulval flap.
Tail filiform, tapering sharply beyond anus to a
rounded terminus, 178-276um in length, 20-25 times anal body diameter
and about 2 times vulva-anus distance.
Males: Similar to females in body form.
Testis single, outstretched. Spicules 15-16um long, gubernaculum
5um long. Caudal alae well developed, adanal, 35-39um long.
Cloacal opening slightly raised. Tail long and filiform, 178-192um
in length.
Type habitat and locality: Soil around
roots of peach (Prunus persica) from Konwar Gaon, Dhakuakhana, Assam,
collected by Shri M.N. Phukan on 25-10-77.
Additional collections: Specimens identified
as A. muktii were also collected from soil around roots of tea plants
(Camellia chinensis) at Tezpur, Assam.
Differential diagnosis: Aglenchus
muktii sp. n. comes close to A. agricola (de Man, 1884) Meyl,
1961 and A. prargicola (Paetzold, 1958) Meyl, 1961. From A.
agricola it differs in having a non-annulated lip region, 3 incisures
in the lateral field, and a very long filiform tail. (A. agricola
has 3 annules in lip region, lateral incisures and a tail which is not
as filiform as in A. muktii). The new species differs from
A.
paragicola in having a smaller body, longer stylet, anteriorly placed
vulva, and 3 incisures in lateral field. (In A. paragricola,
L = 0.617-0.069 mm, stylet = 10.6-10.7 um; V = 57.5-58.5,
4 incisures in lateral field).
In having 3 incisures, A. muktii resembles
A.
indicus Khan, Chawla & Prasad, 1969, but differs from it in having
larger body length, smaller body diameter, non-annulated lip region, anteriorly
placed vulva, longer tail which is 20-25 times anal body-width, and by
the absence of longitudinal lines on the body cuticle. (In A.
indicus L = 0.4-0.5 mm, a = 20.5-26.5, lip region with 3 annules,
body cuticle with 14 longitudinal lines, V = 65-68, c = 5-6, tail 9-10
times anal body-width).