Mesomermis devii sp. nov. (Nematoda: Mermithidae), a new species of nematode from Devi Cave in Georgia

Abstract

Adult female individuals of the nematodeMesomermis deviisp. nov.(Nematoda: Mermithidae) have been described. The hostorganism is not determined. The individuals were isolated from moist guano obtained in the dark zone of Devi Cave (West Georgia).The new species is characterized by the following: rounded and symmetrical apical end of the head; mouth aperture is located in themiddle of the head terminus; 6 cephalic papillae are arranged in a single row; each papilla is equipped with 2 or 3 sensilla; stoma hasuneven width and the pharyngeal tube is of even width along the whole length; small amphids, with large, slightly oval, roundish holesand large, rounded pouches; pear-shaped vagina. Additionally, the radial holes emerging from the gland situated in the cuticle of theterminal part of the tail differentiate it from the species of the genusMesomermis . This is the second record of this genus in Georgia.A list of species in the genusMesomermisdistributed in the Palearctic and brief morphological descriptions indicating their hosts anddistribution details are provided.