Morphological and molecular characterisation of Aporcelaimellus simplex (Thorne & Swanger, 1936) Loof & Coomans, 1970 and a new concept for Aporcella Andrassy, 2002 (Dorylaimida: Aporcelaimidae)

Abstract

This contribution presents a study of Iberian and Californian populations of Aporcelaimellus simplex, including morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The species is characterised and distinguished by its lip region offset by an expansion, pars refringens vaginae absent, and conical tail with a small but distinct hyaline terminal portion. No significant difference exists between American and European populations. Molecular data and the derived evolutionary tree show a topology in which this species forms a well-supported group with members of Discolaiminae, far from other representatives of Aporcelaimellus. Putting special emphasis in the absence of pars refringens vaginae, A. simplex is transferred to the genus Aporcella. The taxonomy of this genus is revised in depth, with the proposal of an emended diagnosis, the provision of a list of 13 valid species (mostly new combinations from Aporcelaimellus) as well as a key to their identification and a compendium of their main morphometrics. Aporcella debruinae sp. n. is proposed for Aporcelaimellus papillatus apud de Bruin & Heyns, 1992.