New Data on Predatory Dorylaimids (nematoda: Dorylaimida) from Iran

Two species of predatory dorylaimid nematodes were recovered from different parts of northern and northwestern Iran. The first species, Carcharolaimus banaticus, was recovered from Noshahr city, Mazandaran province, and is characterised by 1.8-2.0 mm long females having 20.3-21.8 mu m long odontostyle. It was recorded from Iran for the first time. Compared to the type population from Banat (former Yugoslavia), the body of the Iranian population is longer (1.8-2.0 vs 1.23-1.76 mm). The second species, Aetholaimus rotundicauda, was recovered from grasslands of Kaleibar city, East Azarbaijan province, and is characterised by 1.3-1.6 mm long females having 9.5-11.5 mu m long tooth. Its occurrence in Iran is a new record. Compared to the type population from The Netherlands, its body is shorter (L mean = 1.4 vs 1.7 mm). Both recovered species represent Iran as a new geographical distribution area for the two genera Carcharolaimus and Aetholaimus. Phylogenetic relationships of these two species with other selected dorylaimid taxa were studied using small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. In the inferred tree, representatives of the two suborders Dorylaimina and Nygolaimina formed two separate clades. The Iranian population of Carcharolaimus banaticus formed a clade with formerly sequenced isolate of the species inside the former major clade, and Iranian population of Aetholaimus rotundicauda formed a clade with formerly sequenced isolate of the species inside the latter major clade.