Loofilaimus, a Remarkable New Genus of Dorylaimida From Iran

Abstract

Loofilaimus, a remarkable new genus of dorylaim nematodes is described from Iran. It is characterized by a continuous lip region with amalgamated lips; sclerotized cheilostome forming a bowl-shaped cavity, odontostyle short and wide, oesophagus conspicuously muscular along its entire length, amphidelphic gonads and short hemispheroid tails in both sexes. A new Family Loofilaimidae is proposed under Superfamily Tylencholaimoidea to accommodate this genus which has a curious mixture of characters of different dorylaim groups.