12 



F.R. WANLESS AND R. HUNTER 



India, Malawi, Holland, Poland and Belgium. Terrestrial, found in 

 various soils, forest litter and sand dunes. 



Remarks. These specimens are all identified as M. acarayensis 

 using Geraert & Raski's key (1986); furthermore they compare well 

 with the range of measurements presented for M. acarayensis. 

 However, they possibly differ by the more anterior origin of the 

 lateral field, 6.4-7.0 pm behind spear base in these females, com- 

 pared with 11-15 um in a Spanish population (Gomez Barcina et al. , 

 1992). Other populations are more difficult to compare in the same 

 manner as the start of the lateral field is given as originating at a level 

 of 1/3 to about middle of the oesophageal procorpus (Geraert & 

 Raski, 1986). 



Malenchus bryophilus (Steiner, 1914) Andrassy, 1980 



(Fig. 15) 



Material examined. Fort Augustus Bay: 91, 105 m; cores 2, 7, 

 1 ?, 286. Foyers Plateau: 158, 160 m; cores 15, 18, 1 9, 1 8. River 

 Oich:0.31 cm; core 31, 2$?. 



Horizon. Core 2 (1-2 cm) Core 31 (3-4 cm). 



FEMALES, (n = 4). L = 349.5 um (334-364); a = 21 .3 ( 1 8-24.7); b 

 (n = 2) = 4.5 (4.4-4.5); c = 4.9 (4.6-5. 1 ); c' = 7.9 (7. 1-8.6); V = 64.4 

 (63.8-65.3); V = 8 1 .2 (63.8-65.3 ); tail/V-a = 1 .4 ( 1 .2-1 .5); tail 72 

 um (69.1-73.6). 



Head slightly narrowed, about 5 pm wide at base with 4-5 

 annules. Amphids not clear. Annules 1.4—1.5 pm at mid-body. 

 Lateral field with two lines appearing smooth or crenated depending 

 on fine focus; originating at level of spear knobs to two annuli 

 posterior, or 0-2.5 pmfrom spear knobs, ending between 25-35% of 

 tail length. Spear fine, especially conus, 9-9.6 pm long, knobs 

 small, about 2.56 pm wide. Excretory pore 61-71 pm from anterior. 

 Oesophagus 78.8 pm long (n = 2); median bulb ovoid, valve poorly 

 developed, at 45-50% of oesophageal length (n = 2). Vulva sunken. 

 Vagina perpendicular or slightly tilted anteriorly with thickened 

 walls; anterior genital branch 96-1 1 3 pm long; spermatheca rounded 

 to ovoid, packed with sperms. Postuterine sac about 5 pm long (n = 

 2), possibly collapsed in other females. Distance from vulva to anus 

 48.6-57 pm. Tail tip finely rounded to pointed. 



Males, (n = 3). L = 362 pm (337-379); a = 21. 1 (20.6-21 .5); b = 

 4.7 (4.4-5.0); c = 4.5 (4. 1-4.7); c' = 7.3 (6.6-8.3); gubernaculum = 

 5.5 pm (5.3-5.76); spicules = 16.5 pm (16-17); tail = 80.6 pm 

 (71.6-91 )pm. 



Similar to female. Head narrowed, about 5 pm wide at base with 

 5 fine annules. Amphids sinuous. Body annules 1.4—1.5 pm at mid- 

 body. Spear 9.0-9.6 pm long. Oesophagus 7 1-85 pm long; median 

 bulb ovoid, valve weak, at 48.6-53.8% of oesophageal length. Testis 

 189-213 pm long, occupying 41-56% of body length. Cloacal lips 

 pronounced; bursa adanal, 27-32 pm long, with smooth margins. 



Distribution and habitat. Cosmopolitan, occurs in soil, near 

 or in roots; in humus, forest litter and moss. 



Remarks. The morphometries and morphology agree for the 



Fig. 15 Malenchus bryophilus (Steiner, 1914). A, C-G, female. A, 

 oesophageal region; C, tail; D, habitus: E, posterior end of reproductive 

 system: F, G, lateral field at different focal levels. B. H. male. B, head 

 region showing amphid and origin of lateral field in respect of spear 

 knobs; H. spicular region. Scale bars a = 10 pm. b = 60 pm. 



Fig. 16 Malenchus pachycephalia Andrassy, 1981. A-F. female. A, 

 oesophageal region; B. anterior region showing amphid and origin of 

 lateral field; C, posterior end of reproductive system; D, tail; E, lateral 

 field; F, habitus. Scale bars a = 20 pm, b = 10 pm. c = 100 pm. 



