Retrieval of the genus Capitellus Siddiqi, 1983, with description of C. caramborum sp. nov. (Dorylaimida, Belondiridae) associated with Andalusian (Spain) olive groves

Abstract

A new species of belondirid nematode, collected in olive groves of the southern Iberian Peninsula, is described, including SEM observations and molecular (LSU, SSU) study. Capitellus caramborum sp. nov. is characterized by its 0.82–1.09 mm long body, lip region offset by constriction and 6.0–6.5 µm wide with a distinct perioral refractive disc 4.0–4.5 µm wide, odontostyle 6.0–6.5 µm long, odontophore bearing basal flanges and 1.8–2.0 times the odontostyle long, neck 223–296 µm long, pharyngeal expansion occupying 53–59% of the total neck length, female genital system diovarian, uterus simple and 27–38 µm or 1.4–1.9 body diameters long, vulva (V = 53–56) longitudinal, tail convex conoid to subcylindrical (24–34 µm, c = 31–38, c’ = 1.8–2.1), spicules strongly curved ventrad and 23–25 µm long, and four ventromedian supplements. Morphological and molecular data support the retrieval of Capitellus as a valid genus, its taxonomy being updated, including the transference of Dorylaimellus neocapitatus to it.