Basiria clavicaudata
(Thorne, 1941) Ebsary, 1991
Synonyms:   Boleodorus clavicaudatus Thorne, 1941
     Boleodoroides clavicaudatus (Thorne, 1941) Mathur, Khan & Prasad, 1966
     Boleodorus (Neobasiria) clavicaudatus (Thorne,  1941) Siddiqi, 1986
Photo Gallery- Konza Prairie
Photo Gallery-Nine-mile Prairie

We find this charming little nematode in association with grass roots (and occasionally those of forbs) in samples taken from our tallgrass prairie sites.  Basiria species are believed to feed on mycorrhizal fungi, or perhaps on root hairs of various plants.  B. clavicaudata (and other Basiria species) is often observed in soil samples where the fungal populations are likely to be high, including agricultural samples (especially around alfalfa and strawberries), and other disturbed areas.

Description (from Thorne & Malek, 1968):
Female: 0.7 mm; a = 29; b = 5.3; c = 8.2; V = 61
     Body cylindroid except at extremities.  Lateral fields 1/3 body width, marked by 4 incisures.  Lip region rounded, not striated.  Amphid apertures minutely oval, just below contour of lips.  Spear 13u long with broad basal flanges.  Median bulb of esophagus fusiform, without sclerotized valve.  Basal bulb elongate-pyriform, slightly longer than body width.  Excretory pore and hemizonid opposite anterior end of of bulb.  Posterior uterine branch length less than body width.  Tail elongate-conoid to clavate terminus.
    Boleodoroides clavicaudatus [sic] differs from the type in longer spear, 13:8u-9u, more anterior vulva 61:75% and shorter posterior uterine branch.
    Habitat:  Prairie sod, state line east of Greeley, Colorado.

DNA Sequences Obtained
Specimen: Collected:
KonzaI CC-95 Konza Prairie, First survey