Redescription of Pungentus pungens Thorne & Swanger, 1936 (Dorylaimida: Nordiidae), with a revised taxonomy of the genus

Abstract

Pungentus pungens, the type species of its genus, is re-described and illustrated on the base of type material and recently collected specimens. It is characterised by a body 1.51-2.04 mm long and comparatively slender (a = 40-54), 9-12 mu m broad lip region offset by weak but perceptible constriction, odontostyle 18-23 mu m long, neck 343-395 mu m long, pharyngeal expansion occupying 48-57% of total neck length, uterus simple and 34-54 mu m long or 0.8-1.6 corresponding body diam., V = 45-52, tail short and rounded (21-29 mu m, c = 66-86, c' = 0.8-1.1) with abundant saccate bodies, spicules 47 mu m long, and ten widely spaced ventromedian supplements lacking a hiatus. An emended diagnosis is proposed for Pungentus and its separation from the most similar genera is discussed. Sixteen valid species as well as one species inquirenda and three species incertae sedis are listed. Two new synonymies are proposed: Pungentus maorium of P. silvestris, and P. minnsi of P. pungens. Pungentus mosellae is herein considered species incertae sedis. A dichotomous key to species identification and a compendium of their morphometrics are also provided.