Nematology, 2000, Vol.

2(4), 381-394

Description of two species of Chiloplectus Andrássy, 1984

(Nematoda: Plectidae) from Ukraine and a revised taxonomy of
the genus
Oleksandr H OLOVACHOV 1 , Andrij SUSULOVSKY 2 and Sven B OSTRÖM 3,*
1 Department of Zoology, Biological Faculty, L’viv National University, Grushevsky str. 4, L’viv 79005, Ukraine
2
State Museum of Natural History, Theatralna str. 18, L’viv 79008, Ukraine
3 Zoo-tax, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden

Accepted for publication: 22 December 1999

Summary – Two species of the genus Chiloplectus are described from Ukraine. Detailed studies by light and scanning electron
microscopy were made to differentiate between C. andrassyi, a new senior synonym of Plectus telekii, and C. loricatus. Some
previously unknown characters like the shape of the excretory gland duct, the number and position of somatic setae, and the epiptygmata
are introduced for this differentiation. C. loricatus is found to be a junior synonym of Plectus cancellatus, which is transferred to
Chiloplectus. An emended diagnosis and a revised classiŽ cation of Chiloplectus are proposed, and a key to the species of the genus is
provided. Plectus globilabiatus Kirjanova, 1958 and P. annulatus Maggenti, 1961 are regarded as species inquirendae.

Résumé – Description de deux espèces de Chiloplectus Andrássy, 1984 (Nematoda: Plectidae) d’Ukraine et une classiŽ cation
nouvelle pour le genre – Deux espèces du genre Chiloplectus sont décrites d’Ukraine. Des études détaillées en microscopie optique et
électronique à balayage ont été conduites pour différencier C. andrassyi, un nouveau synonyme majeur de Plectus telekii, et C. loricatus.
Quelques caractères jusqu’à présent inconnus comme la forme du canal de la glande excrétrice, le nombre et la position des soies
céphaliques et les epiptygmes ont été utilisés pour cette différentiation. C. loricatus est considéré comme un synonyme mineur de
Plectus cancellatus, lequel est transféré au genre Chiloplectus. Sont proposées une diagnose amendée et une classiŽ cation révisée du
genre Chiloplectus; une clef des espèces du genre est proposée. Plectus globilabiatus Kirjanova, 1958 et P. annulatus Maggenti, 1961
sont considérés comme species inquirendae.
Keywords – Chiloplectus andrassyi, Chiloplectus cancellatus, key, morphology, SEM.

The genus Chiloplectus was proposed by Andrássy Rühm, 1956. He also described the new species C. co-
(1984) for those species of the genus Plectus Bastian, loradensis, which together with C. andrassyi were the
1865, characterised by a strongly set off lip region and only two species recognized by him in Chiloplectus.
strongly separate globular or discoidal lips, each with a Boström (1997) described C. masleni, which was com-
small setose projection on its inner side. In this new genus, pared and contrasted with C. loricatus.
he included three species: C. globilabiatus (Kirjanova, We have made detailed morphological studies by light
(LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on mate-
1958) Andrássy, 1984, C. andrassyi (Timm, 1971) An-
rial of C. andrassyi and C. loricatus from Ukraine lead-
drássy, 1984 and C. globocephalus (Mulk & Coomans,
ing to the conclusion that the latter species is synony-
1978) Andrássy, 1984. In a subsequent revision of Chilo- mous with P. cancellatus, which is thus transferred to
plectus, Andrássy (1985) listed three species, viz. C. an- Chiloplectus.
drassyi, C. globilabiatusand the newly described C. lori-
catus Andrássy, 1985, thus returning C. globocephalusto Materials and methods
Plectus. Zell (1993) in a revision of the genus Plectus,
synonymised C. loricatus, Plectus annulatus Maggenti, Animals were extracted by a modiŽ ed Baermann funnel
1961 and P. cancellatus Zullini, 1978 with P. thornei method, relaxed by heat, Ž xed in TAF, processed to pure

*
Corresponding author, e-mail: [Link]@[Link]

c Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2000

® 381
O. Holovachov et al.

Table 1. Measurements of two populations of Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971) Andrássy, 1984 and three populations of
Chiloplectus cancellatus (Zullini, 1978) n. comb. from Ukraine (Body length in mm, other measurements in mm).
Chiloplectus andrassyi Chiloplectus cancellatus
Pop. I Pop. II Pop. III Pop. IV Pop. V
Females Males Females Male Females Females Females
n 30 2 10 1 30 14 15
Body length 0.99 ± 0.04 0.80; 0.87 0.83 ± 0.05 0.96 1.07 ± 0.06 1.09 ± 0.07 1.03 ± 0.04
(0.85-1.05) (0.76-0.91) (0.95-1.2) (0.96-1.21) (0.94-1.08)
Body diam. 48.9 ± 3.4 32.0; 32.0 31.0 ± 6.2 44.1 53.4 ± 5.0 52.1 ± 10.6 44.1 ± 4.5
(41.7-55.2) (27.3-41.5) (44.6-66.6) (37.5-66.8) (34.8-49.8)
Pharynx length 230 ± 5.4 202; 187 192 ± 9.6 232 246 ± 19.0 266 ± 12.3 239 ± 11.4
(220-240) (180-214) (217-284) (241-283) (215-263)
Tail length 116 ± 10.1 101; 93 103 ± 6.1 107 106 ± 5.4 107 ± 7.8 96 ± 6.6
(76-136) (93-110) (95-117) (88-119) (88-108)
Anal body diam. 25.9 ± 1.5 28.7; 28.7 19.4 ± 2.9 31.1 25.5 ± 1.8 26.3 ± 2.2 22.7 ± 3.2
(ABD) (22-28) (16.6-26.3) (22.3-29.6) (22.5-29.9) (16.6-28.0)
a 20.4 ± 1.1 25.1; 30.2 27.9 ± 6.0 21.9 20.0 ± 1.5 21.0 ± 5.0 23.3 ± 1.8
(18.0-23.0) (19.5-36.9) (15.3-21.8) (15.7-28.8) (20.6-26.9)
b 4.3 ± 0.1 4.0; 4.6 4.3 ± 0.2 4.2 4.3 ± 0.2 4.1 ± 0.1 4.3 ± 0.2
(3.9-4.6) (3.3-4.6) (3.7-4.6) (3.9-4.3) (4.0-4.7)
c 9.6 ± 0.7 7.9; 9.3 8.1 ± 0.4 9.1 10.1 ± 0.6 10.2 ± 0.4 10.7 ± 0.7
(7.5-11.3) (7.7-8.7) (9.0-11.5) (9.5-10.8) (9.4-11.9)
c¢ 4.5 ± 0.5 3.5; 3.3 5.4 ± 0.8 3.4 4.2 ± 0.3 4.1 ± 0.3 4.3 ± 0.6
(3.2-5.7) (4.6-6.5) (3.5-4.8) (3.7-4.5) (3.4-5.4)
V 46.4 ± 1.0 – 45.8 ± 1.5 – 51.5 ± 0.9 52.2 ± 1.3 52.0 ± 0.9
(41.5-50.0) (43.7-48.6) (50.2-53.9) (50.1-55.0) (50.5-53.9)
Stoma length 25.9 ± 1.4 25.6; 23.7 22.4 ± 1.3 24.0 27.0 ± 2.9 28.3 ± 1.5 24.8 ± 1.6
(23.7-28.9) (20.9-25.1) (23.0-29.4) (24.4-31.1) (22.1-26.8)
Lip region diam. 12.7 ± 0.7 10.7; 13.3 11.4 ± 1.3 12.6 11.9 ± 0.8 12.2 ± 0.5 11.8 ± 0.5
(11.4-14.0) (9.2-13.3) (9.7-13.0) (10.9-13.3) (10.9-12.6)
Lip region height 4.3 ± 0.8 4.0; 4.7 4.7 ± 1.3 5.9 5.1 ± 1.0 5.3 ± 0.7 4.9 ± 0.9
(3.3-5.5) (2.8-6.4) (3.3-6.9) (4.5-6.6) (3.3-6.2)
Amphid location 12.9 ± 1.1 13.0; 12.1 12.8 ± 1.2 15.9 16.0 ± 1.2 16.0 ± 1.4 14.6 ± 0.9
(10.9-15.6) (10.2-14.0) (13.5-18.0) (14.0-18.5) (13.0-15.6)
Amphid/stoma 50.0 ± 5.3 50.8; 51.1 57.2 ± 6.2 66.3 59.3 ± 5.6 56.5 ± 3.5 59.1 ± 5.0
ratio (%) (37.7-59.8) (44.3-64.8) (53.6-70.0) (50.0-62.3) (52.7-68.1)
Cuticle thickness 3.0 ± 0.3 2.3; 2.8 2.4 ± 0.3 4.3 4.1 ± 0.5 5.6 ± 0.7 3.9 ± 0.3
(2.4-3.3) (1.9-2.8) (3.3-5.0) (4.7-7.3) (3.3-4.5)
Annule width 1.5 ± 0.1 1.0; 1.3 1.2 ± 0.2 1.8 1.8 ± 0.1 2.0 ± 0.1 1.8 ± 0.1
(1.3-1.6) (1.0-1.5) (1.7-2.1) (1.9-2.1) (1.6-1.9)
Rectum length 21.8 ± 1.5 – 18.5 ± 1.9 – 29.8 ± 1.8 29.7 ± 2.1 26.9 ± 1.7
(16.6-23.7) (15.4-20.9) (26.5-33.4) (26.5-33.2) (23.7-30.3)
Rectum/ABD 0.8 ± 0.1 – 1.0 ± 0.1 – 1.2 ± 0.1 1.1 ± 0.1 1.2 ± 0.2
(0.7-1.0) (0.8-1.1) (1.1-1.3) (1.0-1.3) (1.0-1.6)
Spur from tail 19.2 ± 1.5 16.6; ? 13.4 ± 1.9 15.2 13.8 ± 1.8 14.7 ± 0.4 13.0 ± 0.8
terminus (16-22.3) (11.4-17.8) (10.6-16.4) (11.9-16.9) (11.2-14.2)
Ant. ovary 89 ± 15 – – – – 84 ± 17 –
length (60-108) (52-98)
Post. ovary 85 ± 17 – – – – 88 ± 22 –
length (60-113) (58-142)
Ant. oviduct 128 ± 11 – – – – 120 ± 16 –
length (111-152) (98-152)
Post. oviduct 126 ± 16 – – – – 116 ± 16 –
length (102-152) (87-150)

382 Nematology
 Two species of Chiloplectus

glycerin by a slow evaporation method and mounted on by striated cuticle. Deirids located inside the lateral Ž eld.
slides. For SEM studies, TAF-Ž xed specimens of C. lo- Pharyngeal region with 16 (eight pairs) somatic setae dis-
ricatus were used, while glycerin-processed specimens of tributed as follows (n = 10): Ž ve pairs anterior to nerve
C. andrassyi were processed according to Sanwal (1968) ring (Ž rst lateral seta at 25-26 annules from base of lips),
with some modiŽ cations. Glycerin-processed specimens one pair at level of nerve ring or somewhat posterior, one
of C. andrassyi were washed in 95% alcohol for 2 h to pair at level of excretory gland and one pair at level of
ensure removal of glycerin. The washing procedure was bulb. One pair of somatic setae located between cardia
carried out by placing the nematodes in large volumes of and anterior ovary, one pair at level of vulva, three to Ž ve
alcohol in embryological watchglasses and changing the
pairs between posterior ovary and anus. Excretory gland
alcohol every 15 min. Specimens were then washed in
duct cuticularised. Right loop of excretory gland duct two
70% alcohol for 8 h changing the alcohol every 2 h, and
to three times shorter than left, left stretches to dorsal
subsequently for 20 h, changing the alcohol every 10 h.
side of the body in most of the specimens. Basal pharyn-
After removal of glycerin, the specimens were washed
in a series of 50, 30, and 10% alcohol (two 1-h changes geal bulb oval, short muscular extension present between
for each step) and reŽ xed in TAF. The specimens were bulb and cardia. Female reproductive system didelphic,
then processed for SEM according to Boström (1989). amphidelphic, ovary branches symmetrical, re exed. A
The terms ‘prorhabdion’ and ‘protostom’ are used in this maximum of two eggs present in genital organs, measur-
paper for strictly descriptive reasons following the usage ing: 75.4 ± 2.9 (69.0-80.0) ´ 36.4 ± 1.0 (33.4-38.6)m m,
within Plectidae started by Maggenti (1961) and do not each egg 1.9-2.5 times longer than its own diameter (mea-
imply homologies across nematode orders. sured only for Population I). Egg shell wrinkled. Vagina
straight, about one third as long as vulval body width, en-
circled by two sphincter muscles, appearing as two pairs
Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971) of elliptical cross-sections through the muscle, refringent
Andrássy, 1984 epiptygmata slightly developed. Vulval lips slightly pro-
= Plectus andrassyi Timm, 1971
truding. Rectum equal to or less than one anal body diam.
= Plectus telekii, Mulk & Coomans, 1978
Both anal folds protruding, posterior fold without annu-
(This synonymy was proposed by Zell (1993))
lation. Tail gradually narrowing, arcuate, with six caudal
(See also Schiemer, 1978; Zullini, 1978;
Steiner, 1987) setae (n = 10): one seta at level of anus on the left side of
(Figs 1-3, 4A-B) the body, one subdorsal and one subventral pair and ter-
minal seta (spur) located about four tail tip diam. from
M EASUREMENTS tail end. Spinneret with circle of papilliform structures
at base. Three caudal glands present, opening on tail tip.
See Table 1. A single specimen with aberrant tail and without caudal
glands was found (Fig. 2F).
D ESCRIPTION

Female Male
Labial region strongly offset from body contour, lips
Similar to female in most respects. Testes two: anterior
strongly separated from each other. Each lip with inner
one straight, 63.8 and 107.8 m m, posterior one re exed,
setose projection, clearly seen under LM and pressed to
lip on SEM-photos (specimens of C. andrassyi were re- 50.2 and 73.5 m m long. Spicules somewhat asymmetri-
hydrated to TAF and are consequently somewhat ‘wrin- cal. Two preanal tubuli present. Male formula: 42.0,35.6/-
kled’ under SEM). Outer labial sensilla located in a me- 74.7-/20.4/-47.4-/21.3 and 39.3,40.8/-80.0-/23.0/-31.0-
dial slit on each lip. Prorhabdion length half of protostom /22.5 (sensu Zell, 1993). Gubernaculum 12.8 and 13.0 m m
diameter. Cephalic setae originating on third or fourth an- long, curved, with strong caudal process, strongly curved
nule. Amphids at 10-11 annules from base of lips. Cuti- and directed posteriorly. Preanal setiform papilla located
cle of moderate thickness, annulated, without longitudi- 17.5 and 17.8 m m anterior to anus. Tail more strongly
nal incisures. Lateral Ž eld consists of two wings (alae), curved than in female, with one ventral papilla and large
seen as four incisures in LM as the two wings separated number of setae.

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O. Holovachov et al.

Fig. 1. Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971) Andrássy, 1984. A-G: Female. A, B: Head end showing different conditions of labial region
structure; C: Pharyngeal region; D: Reproductive organs; E: Basal bulb and excretory gland; F, G: Vaginal region (Scale bars: A, B,
F, G = 10 m m; E = 30 m m; C, D = 50 mm; black setae are located on the side of the body facing the viewer and white setae are
located on the opposite side).

384 Nematology
 Two species of Chiloplectus

Fig. 2. Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971) Andrássy, 1984. A: Whole female; B, C: Male tail; D: Spicules and gubernaculum; E:
Female tail; F: Aberrant female tail (Scale bars: D = 10m m; B, C, E, F = 30 mm; A = 100 mm; setae as in Fig. 1).

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O. Holovachov et al.

Fig. 3. Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971) Andrássy, 1984. A-G: Female. A: Head end, lateral view; B: Head end, oblique ventral
view (arrowhead points at slit with outer labial sensilla); C: Lateral Ž eld; D: Vulva; E: Anus; F: Tail; G: Tail terminus with spinneret
and spur (Scale bars: B, C, E, G = 1 mm; A, D = 2 mm; F = 10 mm).

386 Nematology
 Two species of Chiloplectus

M ATERIAL EXAMINED Chiloplectus cancellatus (Zullini, 1978) n. comb.

= Plectus cancellatus Zullini, 1978
(See also Ebsary, 1985)
Ukraine, Crimea, Alushta District, Au-Dag Mountain, (Figs 4C-D, 5-7)
extracted from moss on a rock, June 1996 (Population I,
studied under SEM); Crimea, Jalta District, Kishka Moun- M EASUREMENTS
tain, extracted from moss on a rock, July 1998 (Popula-
tion II). Only found in mosses (Homalothecium lutescens) See Table 1.
and some ground lichens. All samples collected by O. Ho-
lovachov. D ESCRIPTION
Female
Labial region strongly offset from body contour, lips
R ELATIONSHIPS strongly separated from each other. Each lip with well de-
veloped inner setose projection (touching the other labial
setose projections over the oral aperture) and with outer
Descriptions of males of Chiloplectus have previously
labial sensilla located in a radial slit on each lip. Labial
been made by Mulk and Coomans (1978), Steiner (1987)
papillae at the base of subventral and subdorsal lips.
and Zell (1993). Mulk and Coomans (1978) described the
Prorhabdion length equal to protostom diameter. Cephalic
male of Plectus telekii as possessing four preanal tubular setae originating on second or third annule. Amphids at
supplements of which the anterior three are well devel- seven to eight annules from base of lips. Anterior 10-
oped and sclerotised, while the fourth and most posterior 12 annules directed forward when lips are retracted and
is small and not sclerotised. Steiner (1987) described the evenly rounded in other case. First two to four annules
male of C. andrassyi with one to three (usually three) pre- smooth, posteriorly more or less interrupted by longitudi-
anal tubular supplements. Zell (1993) described the male nal incisures dividing them into blocks (‘tiled’) on rest of
of C. andrassyi, which he considered a senior synonym the body; this interruption appearing irregular and varies
of P. telekii, as having two or three preanal tubular supple-
ments. Zell also described the male of P. thornei, which he
considered a senior synonym of P. annulatus, P. cancella-
tus and C. loricatus.
The number and arrangement of preanal tubular sup-
plements cannot, in our opinion, be used to differentiate
species of Plectidae. We base our opinion on data from
males of nine species of Plectus and the males of Chilo-
plectus described in this paper. As an example of this, 72
males of Plectus from the acuminatus-group found at the
site for Population V of C. cancellatus showed the follow-
ing pattern of tubular supplements: four males have one,
37 males have two and 31 males have three supplements,
which are differently arranged in different specimens. A
description of this population will be given in a forthcom-
ing paper, where this question will be discussed in detail.
Preliminary data show that only presence or absence of
tubular supplements and shape of spicules and gubernac-
ulum can be used to differentiate species of Plectidae.
Therefore we regard Plectus telekii Mulk & Coomans, Fig. 4. Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971) Andrássy, 1984. A,
1978 as a junior synonym of C. andrassyi because they B: Female. A: Lip region, median section; B: Vaginal region-
could not be separated solely on the basis of different Chiloplectus cancellatus (Zullini,1978) n. comb. C, D: Female.
arrangement and length of tubular supplements. C: Lip region, median section; D: Vaginal region.

Vol. 2(4), 2000 387

O. Holovachov et al.

Fig. 5. Chiloplectus cancellatus (Zullini,1978) n. comb. A-G: Female. A, B: Head end showing different labial region structure;
C: Pharyngeal region; D: Reproductive organs; E: Basal bulb and excretory gland; F, G: Vaginal region (Scale bars: A, B, F,
G = 10 m m; E = 30 mm; C, D = 50 mm; setae as in Fig. 1).

388 Nematology
 Two species of Chiloplectus

Fig. 6. Chiloplectus cancellatus (Zullini,1978) n. comb. A: Whole female; B: Male tail; C: Spicules and gubernaculum; D: Female tail;
E, F: Aberrant female tails (Scale bars: C = 10 m m; B, D, E, F = 30 mm; A = 100 mm; setae as in Fig. 1).

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O. Holovachov et al.

Fig. 7. Chiloplectus cancellatus (Zullini,1978) n. comb. A-G: Female. A: Head end, lateral view (arrows point at cephalic sensilla at the
base of subventral and subdorsal lips); B: Head end, semi-en face view (arrowheads point at slits with outer labial sensilla); C: Lateral
Ž eld and deirid; D: Vulva; E: Anus; F: Tail; G: Tail terminus showing spinneret, fringe of spines and terminal seta (spur) (Scale bars:
B, C, G = 1 mm; A, E = 2 m m; D = 4 mm; F = 10 mm).

390 Nematology
 Two species of Chiloplectus

in different specimens. Tiled cuticle rather difŽ cult to ob- 1998, leg. R. Hodun’ko (Population III); the Carpathi-
serve under LM, hardly seen in large part of specimens, ans, Skole District, Skole, extracted from beech litter, July
especially in material kept for a long time. Lateral Ž eld 1994, leg. A. Susulovsky (Population IV); Crimea, Jalta
consisting of two wings (alae) divided by striated cuticle District, Kishka Mountain, extracted from moss (Frulla-
(four incisures under the LM). Deirids setiform, located nia dilatata) on a rock, July 1998, leg. O. Holovachov
inside the lateral Ž eld, its base surrounded by a cuticular (Population V). Specimens from beech litter from ‘Roz-
depression. Pharyngeal region with 14 (seven pairs) so- tochya’ Reserve (L’viv Province, April 1998) were stud-
matic setae distributed as follows (n = 10): four pairs an- ied under SEM. The species is known from more than 20
terior to nerve ring (Ž rst lateral seta at 20-21 annules from localities in different regions of the Ukrainian Carpathians
base of lips), one pair posterior to nerve ring, one pair and from Crimea (Susulovsky & Holovachov, 1997).
at level of loops of excretory gland and one pair at level
of bulb. Two pairs of somatic seta located between cardia R ELATIONSHIPS
and anterior ovary, one pair at level of vulva, three pairs
between posterior ovary and anus. Excretory gland duct The morphology of the anterior end of P. cancellatus
cuticularised. Both loops of excretory gland duct of equal places it in the genus Chiloplectus and the data arrived
length, stretched to dorsal side of the body in most of at in this study support a synonymy with C. loricatus.
the specimens. Basal pharyngeal bulb oval. Female repro- Zullini (1978) described the six lips of P. cancellatus as
ductive system didelphic, amphidelphic, ovary branches well offset and conspicuous (’le labbra sono ben staccate
symmetrical, re exed. Up to two eggs present in genital ed evidente’) and depicted them on his Fig. 3. They are
organs, measuring: 53.8 ± 1.2 (47.4-58.5) ´ 31.8 ± 1.2 also seen in the description of P. cancellatus by Ebsary
(27.7-38.6) m m, each egg 1.2-2.1 times as long as its own (1985; Fig. 3C) and in the revision by Zell (1993; Fig. 7d).
diameter (measured only for Population IV). Egg shell Andrássy (1985) did not describe longitudinal incisures
wrinkled. Vagina straight, about one-third as long as vul- on the cuticle of C. loricatus. He later checked the type
val body width, encircled by two sphincter muscles, ap- specimens of C. loricatus and found the transverse stri-
pearing as two pairs of elliptical cross-sections through ation of the cuticle, posterior to the amphids, to be di-
the muscle; refringent epiptygmata well developed. Vul- vided into very Ž ne and small blocks (I. Andrássy, pers.
val lips slightly protruding. Anterior anal fold protrud- comm.). Zell (1993) proposed that C. loricatus is identi-
ing, posterior anal fold undeveloped, without annulation. cal to P. thornei, of which it was made a junior synonym.
Tail gradually narrowing, arcuate, with Ž ve caudal setae It is most likely that the specimens of P. thornei apud Zell
(n = 10): one subdorsal and one subventral pair and ter- actually belong to C. loricatus, but that does not warrant
minal seta (spur) about three or four tail tip diam. from the proposed [Link], we do not agree with
tail end. Lateral Ž eld ending 10-12 annules from tail tip. this synonymization because of the differences in labial
Spinneret surrounded by fringe of spines at its base. Three region, lateral Ž eld, and cuticle thickness. Due to the very
caudal glands present, opening on tail tip. Two specimens short description of P. thornei it is not possible to correctly
found with aberrant tail (Fig. 6E-F). deŽ ne its systematic position. It is probably identical with
some species in the P. acuminatus group, as proposed by
Male Andrássy (1985).
Similar to females in most respects. Testes two: ante- Some morphometrical and morphological characters
rior one 110.2 m m, posterior one re exed, 82.7 m m long. separating C. andrassyi and C. cancellatus are listed in
Spicules somewhat asymmetrical. Two preanal tubuli pre- Table 2.
sent. Male formula: 30.6,32.0/-90.3-/22.6/-31.5-/18.5.
Gubernaculum 12.1 m m long, angular, with strong caudal
process. Preanal setiform papilla located 14.9 m m anterior Chiloplectus coloradensis Zell, 1993
to anus. Tail more strongly curved than in female, with
two ventral papillae and large number of caudal setae. This species was described from specimens originally
collected by G. Thorne in Colorado, USA. C. coloraden-
M ATERIAL EXAMINED sis is close to C. andrassyi, but was considered differ-
ent from it on the basis of the more anterior location of
Ukraine, the Carpathians, Rakhiv District, Menchul- the subterminal caudal seta. Our material of C. andrassyi
Kvasivskyi Mountain, extracted from beech litter, April shows a wider range (11.4-22.3 m m) of spur location. As

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O. Holovachov et al.

Table 2. Comparison of some morphometrical and morphological characters for Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971) Andrássy, 1984,
Chiloplectus cancellatus (Zullini, 1978) n. comb. and Chiloplectus masleni Boström, 1997.
Chiloplectus andrassyi Chiloplectus cancellatus Chiloplectus masleni
Cuticle Annulated, annules normal Tiled, anterior 10-12 Annulated, annules normal
annules directed
forward
Cuticle thickness 1.9-3.3 mm 3.3-7.3 mm 3.0-3.5 m m
Annule width 1.0-1.6 mm 1.6-2.1 mm 1.2 m m
Cephalic seta origination 3rd-4th annule 2nd-3rd annule 3rd-4th annule
Amphids from ant. end 10.2-15.6 m m 13.0-18.5 m m 17.4 m m
1st lateral seta from base of lips 25-26 annules 20-21 annules 32 annules
Excretory gland duct Loops of excretory duct of Loops of excretory duct of Loops of excretory duct of
different length, right one equal length, stretches to different length, right one
2-3 times shorter than left dorsal side of the body 2 times shorter than left
Epiptygmata Slightly developed Strongly developed Slightly developed
V 41.5-50.0 50.1-55.0 47
Egg size 69.0-80.0 ´ 33.4-38.6 m m 47.4-58.5 ´ 27.7-38.6 m m –
Rectum 15.4-23.7 mm 23.7-29.9 m m 29.2 m m
Rectum ABD 0.74-1.1 0.99-1.56 0.8
Caudal setae 6 5 7
Base of spinneret with Circle of papillae Circle of spines ?
Pairs of somatic setae from 8 7 8
ant. end to end of pharynx

a result, C. coloradensis can no longer be clearly sepa- Chiloplectus masleni Boström, 1997
rated from C. andrassyi. The description of Zell’s species
does not specify structure of lateral Ž eld, vagina, and se- This species was described from the Antarctica and
totaxy, and also needs to be improved on the basis of SEM differentiated from C. loricatus by several features: wider
observations. It may be identical with C. andrassyi. labial region, longer and narrower stoma, more posterior
position of amphids, pear-shaped basal bulb, narrower
cuticular annulation, normal shape of anterior annuli and
Plectus globilabiatus Kirjanova, 1958 larger number of caudal setae. Some morphological and
morphometrical characters comparing C. masleni with
C. andrassyi and C. cancellatus are given in Table 2.
In her description, Kirjanova (1958) noted that this
species is characterised by presence of ten cephalic se-
tae and ten setiform papillae around oral opening. The Plectus annulatus Maggenti, 1961
number of setae and papillae (ten) may be a mistake by
the author. Her afŽ rmation that the presence of ten setae Maggenti (1961) pointed out that this species differed
is typical for Plectoides de Man, 1904 is also erroneous. from all other species of Plectus by the position of the
The number of setae and papillae is therefore doubtful, deirids outside the lateral Ž eld. Paratype specimens of
and cannot be used for determination of the systematic P. annulatuswere studied by Zell (1993), who found them
position of this species. Type material of P. globilabia- similar to C. cancellatus (P. thornei apud Zell, 1993).
tus, which had been deposited in the Zoological Institute On the other hand, the holotype described by Maggenti
of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, can- (1961) differs from C. cancellatus only by aberrant lat-
not be found and is unfortunately lost (S.Y. Tsalolikhin, eral Ž eld and deirid position. Plectus minutus was de-
pers. comm.). We support the opinion by Zell (1993) and scribed by Maggenti et al. (1990) with deirids located
Andrássy (1998) to regard it as species inquirenda until dorsal to lateral Ž eld. Zell (1993) synonymised P. mi-
specimens can be retrieved from the type locality. nutus with P. longicaudatus Bütschli, 1873 and consid-

392 Nematology
 Two species of Chiloplectus

ered deirid position outside the lateral Ž eld aberrant. This 2. Prorhabdions arcuate, their length equal to protostom
feature seems to be unique (or abnormal) among the Plec- diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . masleni
tidae. The problem can be solved only by the observation — Prorhabdions straight, their length half of protostom
of large numbers of specimens from different localities diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
(including type locality) and until such time we prefer to 3. Terminal caudal seta located 21-32 m m from tail tip . .
regard P. annulatus as species inquirenda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . coloradensis
— Terminal caudal seta located 11-22 m m from tail tip . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . andrassyi
Chiloplectus Andrássy, 1984
Andrássy (1985), Zell (1993) and Boström (1997) fo-
D IAGNOS IS ( EMENDED ) cused on morphometrical characters for species identiŽ -
cation. The present study shows that several of the charac-
Plectidae. Body length between 0.8 and 1.6 mm. Cu-
ters used (e.g., lip region diam., cuticle thickness, annule
ticle strongly annulated or tiled. Head strongly offset by
width) vary within wide limits, and are less well suited for
a constriction, lip region narrower than the neck, lips
determination of species. Besides using setotaxy, vagina
strongly separated, globular or discoidal, on their inner
and tail terminus structure in the taxonomy of the Plecti-
side with one small setose projection each. Cephalic setae
dae, as proposed by Ebsary (1985), De Ley and Coomans
obliquely directed. Amphids plectoid, level with the mid-
(1994) and Boström (1997), another interesting feature
dle of stoma. Mouth cavity with separate, short protostom.
can be found in the structure of the excretory gland duct,
Oesophagus plectoid, bulb with cardial process. Excretory
especially the length of the loops of the excretory duct.
pore at level of the posterior half of pharynx. Hypodermal
The shape of the excretory gland duct varies in different
glands absent. Pair of coelomocytes one body diameter
specimens and is also dependent on the mounted speci-
posterior to cardia. Vulva equatorial, gonads paired, op-
men’s position on the slide.
posite. Vagina with or without epiptygmata. Testes two,
spicules paired and slightly asymmetrical, gubernaculum
with posterior process. One to three sclerotised tubular Acknowledgements
supplements present. Tail of both sexes similar, conoid,
ventrally curved, 2.5-6.5 anal body diameters long. Three We are grateful to our colleague R. Hodun’ko for
caudal glands present, opening in a spinneret on tail tip. collecting soil samples with Chiloplectus cancellatus and
to Dr D. Mamchur for identiŽ cation of mosses. We are
T YPE SPECIES also indebted to Dr S.Y. Tsalolikhin for help with the
search for type material of P. globilabiatus Kirjanova,
Chiloplectus andrassyi (Timm, 1971), Andrássy, 1984 1958 and to Drs I. Andrássy and P. De Ley for valuable
= Plectus globilabiatusapud Andrássy, 1963 (nec comments.
Kirjanova, 1958)
= Plectus andrassyi Timm, 1971
= Plectus telekii Mulk & Coomans, 1978 References

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394 Nematology