Genus Dolichodorus
Cobb, 1914

Dolichodoridae

 Female: Labial region rounded, striated, offset, roughly quadrangular to prominently four lobed in en face view; labial disc more often prominent; subdorsal and subventral lip sectors distinct; lateral lip sectors reduced or absent. Amphid aperture small slit laterally directed. Stylet long (50 to 160 um), strong. Lateral field with three lines, areolated. Tail hemispherical-spiked, rarely conoid. Phasmids postanal.

 Male: Spicules most generally with prominent flanges. Gubernaculum apparently protruding.



Diagnosis.- Dolichodorinae.  Body straight to slightly arcuate when relaxed.  Cuticle with fine but distinct annules formed by deep striae.  Lateral fields completely areolated, with three incisures reducing to one and finally disappearing towards the extremities.  Lip region striated, prominently four-lobed, offset by a deep constriction, anteriorly with four large smooth areas surrounding an offset circular oral disc; lateral lips or areas absent, amphidial apertures longitudinally elongate, situated between subdorsal and subventral lip areas (see Sher and Bell, 1975).  Sclerotization of basal plate massive.  Spear exceptionally elongated, with tubular conus markedly longer than the shaft.  Spear guide elongated, tubular.  Precorpus often swollen with convoluted lumen.  Excretory pore well anterior to hemizonid.  Vulva not raised; vaginal sclerotization appearing symmetrical in lateral view.  Female tail convex-conoid anteriorly, spicate posteriorly; terminal portion not annulated; phasmids a little behind anal level.  Post-rectal intestinal sac present.  Juvenile tail similar to that of female.  Male tail short, conical, with a trilobed bursa whose lateral lobes are well developed, striated and posteriorly tapering.  Spicules robust, with distal half appearing claw-like due to large flanges.  Gubernaculum also robust, protrusible.

Type-species: Dolichodorus heterocephalus Cobb, 1914.
Other species:  D. minor Loof & Sharma, 1975; D. nigeriensis Luc & Caveness, 1963;  D. profundus Luc, 1960;  D. pulvinus Khan, Seshadri, Weishcer & Mathen, 1971; D. silvestris Gillespie & Adams, 1962; D. similis Golden, 1958.

(Description- Siddiqi)