Description of a new terrestrial mermithid, Aethemermis orientalis n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) from northwest of Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Investigador CIC Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores, CEPAVE, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, UNLP, Argentine

10.22034/ijon.2026.2021884.1033

Abstract

During a survey conducted to study on the mermithid fauna in northwest of Iran, a population belonging to an unknown genus of the group was discovered from the sediments of the Kahaq area in Maragheh County. Aethemermis orientalis n. gen., n. sp. is described and illustrated as a new member of the Mermithidae family, based on morphological and morphometrical characters. The new genus is characterized by six cephalic papillae; absence of lip papillae; a cuticle with prominent cross fibers; a rounded-conoid head; eight hypodermal cords at mid-body; mouth slightly shifted ventrad; vulva a transvers slit; vagina short, straight and barrel-shaped, distal portion of the vagina sclerotized; spicules paired, separate, slightly curved to straight and longer than body width at cloaca; tail in both sexes short, with bluntly rounded terminus in females and slightly less rounded in males and without appendage, however post-parasitic juveniles with appendage. The new genus is morphologically compared with Heleidomermis. Currently, the new genus is monotypic.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Nematology
Volume 1, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 273-280

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