Genus Aprutides
Scognamiglio, Talame' and s'Jacob, 1970
Diagnosis: Seinurinae. Small nematodes (0.3-0.5 mm long),
ventrally curved to C-shaped on heat relaxation. Cuticle finely annulated,
the mid-body annules being about 1um apart. Lateral field
about one fifth of body width and marked by two incisures in the mid-body
region. Cephalic region slightly offset, rounded, nearly as high
as wide and divided into two annules, the posterior one being about
twice as wide as the anterior. There is an oral disc in A. guidettii.
In en face view the cephalic region in divided into six equal sectors.
Cephalic framework lightly sclerotized. Stylet about 13-16um
long, lightly sclerotized and with sclerotized attachment points for the
protractor muscles; distinct basal swellings present or absent. Procorpus
cylindrical leading to the well developed oval to rounded rectangular median
bulb. Valve plates situated more or less centrally. Oesophageal
glands forming a mostly dorsal lobe about three to six body widths long.
Nerve ring immediately behind the median bulb with the excretory pore at
the same level or slightly posterior. Vulva with slightly protuberant
lips, post-median (62-70%). Vagina at right angles to the body axis.
Genital tract monoprodelphic, outstretched. Developing oocytes mostly
in single file. Spermatozoao may be present in a spermatheca situated
between the quadricolumella and the oviduct. Post-uterine sac about
two to three body widths long. Tail elongate, about 34-65um
long, with a clavate tip. Male testis reaching almost to the oesophageal
gland lobe. Spicules rosethorn-shaped with well-developed rostrum
and apex. A weak gubernaculum is present. Tail medium conoid
at first and then narrowing abruptly on the dorsal surface to form an elongate,
ventrally curved process with a clavate tip. One pair of caudal papillae
reported about midway along the broader section of the tail.
(Description- Hunt, 1993)
Type species: Aprutides martuccii Scognamiglio,
Talame' and s'Jacob, 1970
Other species: A. guidettii Scognamiglio, 1974
DNA Sequences Obtained