Monteironema caresi gen. n., sp. n. (Rhabditida: Anguinidae), from leaves of Ipomoea spp. (Convolvulaceae) in Brazil

A new genus and species, Monteironema caresi gen. n., sp. n., was recovered from chlorotic to necrotic angular spots on Ipomoea spp. collected in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species is characterised by three adult forms: semi-obese female, immature female, and male with small body (0.4 0.9 mm), mature adults have lip region offset and narrower than the body. The stylet is short (7.7-10.2 µm), robust, with rounded knobs and a sclerotised conus. The pharynx includes a muscular median bulb and non encaged glands overlapping dorsally. Excretory pore posterior to nerve ring. The female gonad is monoprodelphic with a quadricolumellar uterus, short post-uterine sac (0.5× vulva body width), conoid tail with a dorsal appendage. Males have arcuate spicules and a simple gubernaculum. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU, ITS, and LSU rDNA confirm M. caresi gen. n., sp. n. as a well-supported, independent lineage within Anguinidae, justifying its designation as a new genus and species.