Merlinius alpinus
(Allen, 1955) Siddiqi, 1970
| syn.: |
Tylenchorhynchus alpinus Allen, 1955
Nagelus alpinus (Allen, 1955)
Siddiqi, 1979 |
Dimensions.- 2 females L = 0.83-0.95 mm. a =- 26-27; b = 5.0-5.3;
c = 11-13; V = 52-54; Sylet = 39-41 um long
7 males L = 0.87-1.00 mm; a - 29-35; b = 4.6-5.7; c = 10-12; T = 57-68
per cent; Stylet = 40-42 um long
Female (holotype).- l = 0.83 mm; a = 26; b = 5; c = 13; v =
53
Body cylindrical, tapering at both ends. Lip region set off from
body contour by constriction, bearing 9 annules. Labial framework
heavily sclerotized. Stylet well developed, 39 um long, with
large rounded knobs. Excretory pore opens at level of middle of basal
esophageal bulb. Spermatheca containing spermatozoa present.
Tail subcylindrical, with terminus bluntly rounded, not annulated.
Cuticle finely striated. Lateral field with 6 incisures. Phasmids
prominent, opening at middle of tail.
Male (allotype).- L = 0.87 mm; a = 29; b = 4.6; c = 10; Stylet
41 um long. Similar to female. Bursa envelops tail. Gubernaculum
simple, curved.
Holotype.- Female collected September 13, 1947, by D.J. Raski,
catalogue no. 47, University of California Nematode Survey Collection.
Allotype.- Male collected September 13, 1947, by D.J. Raski,
catalogue no. 48, University of California Nematode Survey Collection.
Paratypes.- One female and nine males, same data as holotype;
one female and one male collected August 17, 1950, by D.J. Raski at Mount
Evans, Colorado
Type host.- Soil.
Type locality.- Trail Ridge, Colorado, at elevation of 12,000
feet.
Tylenchorhynchus alpinus can be distinguished by the set-off
lip region, the six incisures, and the bluntly rounded tail without annules
around the the terminus. T. alpinus can be separated from
affinis,
exilis,
and macrodens by the fine annulation of the cuticle, the length
of the stylet, and the number of annules on the lip region.
Tylenchorhynchus aplinus is known only from Colorado.
(Description- Allen, 1955)
According to Brzeski, 1991: [Geocenamus alpinus (Allen, 1955)]
Females from Skierniewice, Poland (n = 21): L = 1215 (1016-1534), oesophagus
= 207 (198-221), excretory pore = 161 (140-175), tail = 96 (75-121), tail
annuli = 63 (46-84), annulus width = 1.4 (1.1-1.6), stylet = 39 (36-41),
m = 50 (45-54), a = 29 (26-37), b = 5.9 (5.0-7.3), MB = 53 (51-55), c =
12.7 (11.2-14.5), c' = 3.6 (3.2-4.4), V = 51 (48-53), phasmids % tail =
30 (22-39).
Single bivulval female from Skierniewice, L = 1050, oesophagus = 206,
excretory pore = 161, tail = 76, tail annuli = 56, annulus width
= 1.1, stylet = 38, m = 47, a = 29, b = 5.1, MB = 56, c = 13.8, c' = 3.4,
V = 55 and 61, phasmids % tail = 23 and 32.
Males from Skierniewice, (n = 14): L = 1119 (971-1248), oesophagus
= 197 (180-208), excretory pore = 160 (142-170), tail = 106 (99-125), annulus
width = 1.3 (1.1-1.5), stylet = 38.6 (37-40), m = 51 (48-54), a = 32 (29-36),
b = 5.7 (5.4-6.3), MB = 54 (52-55), c = 10.5 (9.1-11.7), c' = 4.7 (4.3-6.0),
phasmids % tail = 34 (26-41), spicule = 34 (31-36), gubernaculum = 9.6
(8-12).
Body annuluation indistinct mainly due to shallow striae. Lateral field
with six lines, deirids distinct at four-line zone. Head narrower
than adjacent body, with 8-10 annuli, head diameter 10-11 um.
Cephalic skeleton very strong, central tube and basal ring very refractive,
fine posterior ribs extend for 3-4 annuli. Stylet very robust, knobs
inclined laterally, about 7-8 um in diameter. Median bulb
ovate, lumen wall thickenings 4-5 um long, isthmus thin, basal bulb
a little over half of isthmus length. Excretory poe from the middle
of isthmus to beginning og basal bulb level. Female genital branches
rather short. Epiptygma single or double, vaginal walls weakly swollen.
Sometimes refractive plug present in vagina, its function and origin unknown.
It was found in inseminated and non-inseminated females collected at various
times during the year. Spermatheca appears axial and unilobed.
An abnormal female with two vulvae was found. Tail tapers slightly
to unstriated teminus. Phasmids at about one-third of tail length,
except for one female where phasmids were at 51 and 53% of tail length.
Terminal hyaline part of tail 10-12 um long.
(Description- Brzeski, 1991)
DNA Sequences Obtained
