Taxonomic analysis reveals an extended southern distribution of Carphodorus bilineatus, highlighting unexpected ecological and climatic adaptability in native nematodes.
We report on a population of the belonolaim nematode Carphodorus bilineatus Colbran, 1965, collected from the rhizosphere of Red-anther Wallaby Grass Rytidosperma pallidum, occurring in a patch of native forest at the base of Black Mountain, Australian Capital Territory. Our specimens are morphologically and morphometrically consistent with the type-description of C. bilineatus. In addition, we generated novel sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene, 18S, ITS, and 28S rRNA. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated 18S + 28S dataset including representatives of the subfamily Belonolaiminae Whitehead, 1960 places our population sister to previously generated sequences of C. bilineatus. This report extends the known distribution of C. bilineatus approximately 220 km further south, giving the species a total known range of 950 km and an apparently ability to exist across a variety of habitats and climatic zones.
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