DESCRIPTIONS OF HELICOTYLENCHUS MELONI N. SP. AND H. STRIATUS N.SP. (NEMATODA: HOPLOLAIMIDAE) FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

Specimens of two undescribed spiral nematodes, Helicotylenchus meloni n.sp. and H. striatus n.sp., collected from soil around the roots of musk melon (Cucumis melo L.) from Mirpursakro, Sindh, Pakistan, are described and illustrated. H. meloni n.sp., was recognized from all the other species of the genusHelicotylenchus on the basis of a combination of characteristics: ventrally arcuate body, hemispherical head with 3-4 distinct annules, rounded and backwards sloping stylet knobs, dorsally convex tail with a non annulated short terminal ventral peg. H. striatus n.sp., was distinguished from the other species of the genus by its hemispherical head with 4-5 distinct annules, anteriorly directed stylet knobs, tail slightly curved dorsally with a broadly rounded striated terminus having 8-15 annules on the ventral side.