Main Content
< Top page

The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Aphanolaimus

Aphanolaimus De Man, 1880 (ref. ID; 3571)

Araeolaimida De Coninck & Stekhoven, 1933: Family Leptolaimidae Orley, 1880: Subfamily Leptolaiminae Orley, 1880 (ref. ID; 3571)

Order Chromadorida: Family Leptolaimidae (ref. ID; 6862)

Family Camacolaimidae (ref. ID; 880)

Family Leptolaimidae (ref. ID; 6182, 6740)

ref. ID; 1663

Stoma greatly reduced; amphid circular and prominent. (ref. ID; 1663)

ref. ID; 1923

Stoma rudimentary. (Aquatic, about 15 species) (ref. ID; 1923)

ref. ID; 3571

Type species

Aphanolaimus attentus De Man, 1880 (ref. ID; 3571)

ref. ID; 6859

Bacterivore. (ref. ID; 6859)
  1. Aphanolaimus anisitsi Daday, 1905
    See; Paraphanolaimus anisitsi (ref. ID; 3571)
  2. Aphanolaimus aquaticus Daday, 1894 (ref. ID; 1732, 3571) or 1897 (ref. ID; 880, 881, 1861)
  3. Aphanolaimus attentus De Man, 1880 (ref. ID; 1732, 1861, 3571)
    Syn; Aphanolaimus brachyurus Daday, 1899 (ref. ID; 3571)
  4. Aphanolaimus brachyurus Daday, 1899
    See; Aphanolaimus attentus (ref. ID; 3571)
  5. Aphanolaimus cobbi Micoletzky, 1922 (ref. ID; 1732, 3571)
  6. Aphanolaimus communis Cobb, 1899 (ref. ID; 1732) N.A. Cobb in M.V. Cobb, 1915 (ref. ID; 3571)
  7. Aphanolaimus deconincki Coomans & De Waele, 1983 (ref. ID; 1732 original paper)
  8. Aphanolaimus duodecimpapillatus Kreis, 1932
    See; Aphanolaimus viviparus Plotnikov (ref. ID; 3571)
  9. Aphanolaimus longisetosus Altherr, 1960 (ref. ID; 1732) or (Altherr, 1960) Andrassy, 1968 (ref. ID; 3571)
    Syn; Paraphanolaimus longisetosus Altherr, 1960 (ref. ID; 3571)
  10. Aphanolaimus louisae Coomans & De Waele, 1979 (ref. ID; 1732)
  11. Aphanolaimus microlaimus De Coninck, 1935 (ref. ID; 1732, 3571)
  12. Aphanolaimus minor Cobb, 1914 (ref. ID; 1732, 3571)
  13. Aphanolaimus multipapillatus Daday, 1905 (ref. ID; 1732, 3571)
  14. Aphanolaimus papillatus Daday, 1899
    See; Ironus longicaudatus (ref. ID; 3571)
  15. Aphanolaimus pseudoattentus Coomans & De Waele, 1983 (ref. ID; 1732 original paper)
  16. Aphanolaimus pulcher G. Schneider, 1906
    See; Sabatieria pulchra (ref. ID; 3571)
  17. Aphanolaimus solitudinis Andrassy, 1968 (ref. ID; 1732, 3571)
  18. Aphanolaimus spiriferus Cobb, 1912 (ref. ID; 1732, 1923) or 1914 (ref. ID; 3571)
  19. Aphanolaimus tenuis Daday, 1899
    See; Alaimus simplex (ref. ID; 3571)
  20. Aphanolaimus viviparus N.A. Cobb in M.V. Cobb, 1915
    See; Aphanolaimus cobbi (ref. ID; 3571)
  21. Aphanolaimus viviparus Plotnikoff, 1899 (ref. ID; 1732) or Plotnikov, 1901 (ref. ID; 3571)
    Syn; Aphanolaimus duodecimpapillatus Kreis, 1932 (ref. ID; 3571)

Aphanolaimus aquaticus Daday, 1894 (ref. ID; 1732, 3571) or 1897 (ref. ID; 880, 881, 1861)

Diagnosis

A. aquaticus is characterised by its large body length, head shape, shape of the amphideal fovea (with a low central elevation), large cephalic setae, posterior origin of the lateral field, large number of annules, shape of the vagina and shape of the spinneret. (ref. ID; 1732)

Descriptions

Female: Head width 1/4 to 3/10 of maximum body width and 3/10 to 1/3 of the body width at the pharyngo-intesinal junction. Cuticle about 2.5-3.0 µm thick, with more than 600 annules along the body. In a straight position of the body near the middle they measure 1.5-2.0 µm. No longitudinal striations present. Lateral field originating at the 30th to 44th annule, i.e. at 44-57 µm or 6 to 8 times the head width from the anterior end of the body (n=23). Lateral field marked off by two crenated lines, only 1.5 µm wide. The lateral lines are indented opposite the transverse striae of the cuticle. Sixteen to 25 (n=7) prominent body pores present, irregularly distributed along the dorsal and ventral side of the lateral field. Head 6.5-8.0 µm broad and 7.5-9.5 µm high, i.e. more high than broad. Four well developed cephalic setae present, 8-10 µm long. Amphideal fovea large, 4.5-5.5 µm wide, forming a single spiral by spiral character sometimes obscure because of low central elevation. Fusus 14-19 µm from the anterior end of the body, i.e. about 2-2.5 times the head width (n=16); starting at 8-12 annules behind the head and extending over 2-4 annules. Stoma short and small, about 2 µm, inverse funnel-shaped. Pharynx 190-200 (194, n=5) µm; forming a narrow weakly muscularised cylinder. Pharyngo-intestinal junction cylindrical, with conical tip. Ventral gland large, H-shaped, cell body situated at the level of the pharyngo-intestinal junction; duct leaving cell body near it centre. Two coelomocytes in front of and one laterally from the ventral gland cell. First body pore occurs at the 19th to 28th annule or 29-43 µm from the anterior end of the body. The second body pore occurs at 61-77 µm from the anterior end of the body. Female reproductive system didelph and amphidelph, typical for the genus with empty spermathecae. Vulva a transverse slit. Vagina 13-18 µm long, extending inward over more than 1/2 of the corresponding body width. Tail 112-173 (145, n=9) µm long, narrowing gradually to a short and very stout spinneret. Three caudal glands present, usually all confined to the tail. Anus a curved slit. (ref. ID; 1732)

Aphanolaimus attentus De Man, 1880 (ref. ID; 1732, 1861, 3571)

Synonym

Aphanolaimus brachyurus Daday, 1899 (ref. ID; 3571)

Diagnosis

A. attentus differs from A. multipapillatus Daday, 1905, A. communis Cobb, 1899 and A. viviparus Plotnikoff, 1899 in having less than ten pre-anal supplements. The species can be distinguished from A. spiriferus Cobb, 1912, A. cobbi Micoletzky, 1922 and A. aquaticus in having even not half as much annules. A. microlaimus De Coninck, 1935, A. solitudinis Andrassy, 1968 and A. longisetosus Altherr, 1960 differ from A. attentus in having all three a sclerotized pharyngeal portion behind the stoma. A. attentus seems nearest to A. minor Cobb, 1914 and A. louisae Coomans & De Waele, 1979, however many differences exist. From A. minor it differs by the presence of four cephalic setae, the large amphideal fovea and three to four pre-anal supplements. From A. louisae it differs e.g. by shorter body, head shape, shape of the amphideal fovea, shorter cephalic setae, absence of longitudinal striae, absence of secondary indentations on the lateral lines, the more posterior origin of the lateral field, the shape of the spinneret, the shape of the spicules and the number of pre-anal supplements. (ref. ID; 1732)

Descriptions

  • Female: Body C-shaped after fixation, tapering towards both extremities. Head width 1/5 of maximum body width and 3/10 of the body width at the pharyngo-intestinal junction. Cuticle about 4 µm thick; with 209-276(226, n=10) coarse annules along the dorsal and 192-259(212, n=10) annules along the ventral half of the body. Annules wider in the middle of the body than near the extremities: in a straight portion of the body near the middle they average 2.5-3.5 µm. No longitudinal striations present. Lateral field marked off by two crenated lines, originating at the 9th to 14th annule (n=44), at 28-36(34, n=10) µm from the anterior end of the body and extending throughout the body till about 3/4 of the tail length; 1.5-2.5 µm wide. The lateral lines are indented opposite the transverse striae of the cuticle. When a body pore is present irregularities may occur such as more indentations and short transverse striations per annule. 15 to 22 (18, n=11) prominent body pores present, irregularly distributed along the dorsal and the ventral side of the lateral field. A minute projection can often be observed inside the pore. The pores are connected with granular, oval epidermal gland cells, on the average 11 µm long and 6 µm wide. The first pore occurs at the 7th to 11th annule (n=44), in five females the first body pore was missing on one side. The second pore occurs at the 15th to 23rd annule (n=44), in one female the second body pore was missing on one side. Head about 7-9 µm broad and 6-8 µm high, almost hemispherical but somewhat more broad than high, provided with four thick but short cephalic setae, 2.5- 3.5 µm long. i.e. much shorter than the corresponding head width. Amphids large; fovea forming a single complete spiral, 4-5 µm wide; i.e. somewhat more than half as wide as the corresponding head width; with prominent central elevation. The anterior margin of the amphid opposite the base of the cephalic setae. The fovea leads inward at its dorsal side to an amphideal canal widening to a large fusus at 12-16(14.4, n=10) µm from the anterior end of the body, i.e. 1.6-2.1(1.8) times the basal head width; it usually occurs opposite the 5th to 7th body annules, sometimes opposite the 4th to 6th annules. Mouth opening small. Stoma about 2.0-2.5 µm long, very small, inverse funnel-shaped. Pharynx a narrow, weakly muscularised cylinder; 105-119(110, n=11) µm long; joining the stoma at the level of the cephalic setae. Dorsal pharyngeal gland visible till just behind the head; its obscure outlet situated in the anterior most part of the pharynx. Pharyngo-intestinal junction cylindrical with conical tip. Intestine a rather uniform tube. Rectrum 24-34(28, n=10) µm, i.e. 1.3-1.9(1.7, n=10) anal body widths long. Ventral gland large, cell body situated in the region of the phayngo-intestinal junction. From these gland a duct leads forwards to the cephalic region where it apparently opens into the stoma. Nerve ring surrounds the oesophagus at 50-60%. Female reproductive system typical for the genus. The position of both branches in relation to the intestine is variable: some females have both branches at the same side, left or right, while some have both branches at opposite side. In young females, however, the reproductive system is mainly ventral to the intestine. Vulva equatorial. Vagina 13-17(14, n=10) µm long, extending inward between 2/5 and 1/2 of the corresponding body width. Out of 22 females five had a single intrauterine egg (40-60x20-30 µm). Tail 81-100(90, n=10) µm long, narrowing gradually to a short and stout spinneret. Three caudal glands present, the anteriormost one extending dorsally from the rectum. (ref. ID; 1732)
  • Male: Resembling female in most respects except the following. Body more ventrally curved after fixation, especially so in the tail region. The somatic sensillum that occurs 1.0-1.5 body widths in front of the nerve ring has a more developed seta than in the female. Male reproductive system with single, posterior reflexed testis. Spicules 22-24(23, n=4) µm long axially. Proximally the spicules are provided with a capitulum, while distally they end on a broad forked tip. Gubernaculum with a narrow corpus and cuneus. Usually four (n=14), sometimes three (n=3), pre-anal tuboid supplements present; their length varies from 9 to 13 µm. The distance between two supplements varies from 30 to 50 µm. The one but last supplement is surrounded by a prominent cuticular elevation. Tail region provided with four pairs of well developed setae: a pair of lateroventral ones opposite the spicules; two pairs of lateroventral and one pair of laterodorsal caudal setae, the latter shortly before or after the end of the lateral field. The lateroventral ones are longer than the laterodorsal ones. (ref. ID; 1732)

    Aphanolaimus deconincki Coomans & De Waele, 1983 (ref. ID; 1732 original paper)

    Diagnosis

    A. deconincki n. sp. comes closest to A. attentus and A. pseudoattentus n. sp. From both species it can easily be differentiated by the head shape, more posterior origin of the lateral field, larger number of body annules, absence of a well-developed seta inside the first or second body pore, shorter spicules, presence of usually five pre-anal supplements and spinneret shape. From A. attentus, A. deconincki n. sp. differs moreover by the larger body length, longer cephalic setae and shape of the spicules. From A. pseudoattentus n. sp., A. deconincki n. sp. differs also by the shape of the amphideal fovea (well-developed central elevation in A. deconincki n. sp.) and by the absence of secondary indentations along the lateral field. (ref. ID; 1732)

    Descriptions

  • Female: Body tapering towards both extremities. Head width about 1/3 of the maximum body width and about 2/5 of the body width at the pharyngo-intestinal junction. Cuticle about 2.5 µm thick, with 400 to 500 small but distinct annules along the body. In a straight portion of the body near the middle they average 1.5-2.0 µm. No longitudinal striations present. Lateral field originating at the 17th to 25th annule (n=63), at 30-39(34, n=8) µm, i.e. 5-6 times the head width, from the anterior end of the body; extending throughout the body till 3/5 of the tail length. Lateral field marked off by two crenated lines, 1.5-2.0 µm wide, indented opposite the transverse striae of the cuticle. Twelve to 18 (15, n=13) prominent body pores present; irregularly distributed along the dorsal and the ventral side of the lateral field. Inside each pore a minute projection can often be observed. Each pore is connected with a granular, oval epidermal gland cell. The first pore occurs at the 8th to 16th annule (n=69); in one female the first pore on one side occurs at the 20th annule, in two females at the 21st annule and in one female the first pore was missing on one side. The second pore occurs at the 25th to 33rd annule (n=63), in one female on one side at the 35th annule, in three females the second pore was missing on one side. Head 6.5-7.5 µm broad, 7-8 µm high, i.e. somewhat more high than broad. Four well-developed cephalic setae present, 5.0-5.5 µm long. Amphideal fovea large, about 4.5 µm wide (i.e. about 2/3 of the corresponding head width), forming a single complete spiral with prominent central elevation. The anterior margin of the amphids opposite the base of the cephalic setae. Fusus at 11-15 µm from the anterior end of the body, i.e. almost twice the head width at head base; it startes opposite the 4-6th annule and extends over 3-4 annules. Stoma about 2 µm long, small inverse funnel-shaped. Pharynx 121-181(150, n=13) µm long, forming a narrow weakly muscularised cylinder. The anteriormost part of the lumen may be wider than the remainder. Dorsal pharyngeal gland visible till just behind the head; its outlet obscure, situated in the anteriormost part of the pharynx. Pharyngo-intestinal junction cylindrical with conical tip. Intestine forming an uniform tube. Rectum 21-25(22.5, n=13) µm long. i.e. 1.8-2.1 anal body widths. Ventral gland large, with cordiform cell body situated at the level of the pharyngo-intestinal junction, accompanied by coelomocytes. From this gland a duct leads forward, apparently opening into the stoma. Nerve ring surrounds the oesophagus at 50-55%. Female reproductive system typical for the genus. Position of both genital branches in relation to the intestine variable: out of thirteen females one had both branches at the left side of the intestine, while one had both branches at the right side of the intestine; six had the anterior branch at the left side and the posterior branch at the right side, four females had the anterior branch at the right side and the posterior branch at the left side, while one young female had the reproduction system mainly ventral from the intestine. Intra-uterine eggs only present in five out of 69 females, measuring 37-56x16-20 µm. Vulva equatorial. Vagina 8-12(10.5, n=13) µm long, extending inward over about 1/2 of the corresponding body width. Tail 96-159(124, n=13) µm long. Three caudal glands present but often obscure, anterior one may extend dorsally from the rectum. Spinneret conical, moderately long. (ref. ID; 1732)
  • Male: Resembling females in most respects. Lateral field originating between the 17th and 23rd annule (n=17). Fourteen to 18(15, n=4) prominent body pores present. Male reproductive system with single posterior testis, spermatozoa rounded. Spicules 14-19(17, n=19) µm long axially. Proximally the spicules are provided with a capitulum, distally they end bluntly. Gubernaculum slightly to more strongly bent. Usually five (n=13), sometimes four (n=2) of six (n=4) pre-anal tuboid supplements present: their length varies from 5.5 to 9.5 (7.5) µm. The penultimate supplement is surrounded by a prominent cuticular elevation. Tail 98-122(104, n=4) µm long. Tail region provided with four pairs of well developed setae: three pairs lateroventral (one opposite the spicular heads, two caudal) and one pair laterodorsally near the end of the lateral field. The lateroventral ones are slightly longer than the laterodorsal ones. (ref. ID; 1732)

    Aphanolaimus pseudoattentus Coomans & De Waele, 1983 (ref. ID; 1732 original paper)

    Diagnosis

    A. pseudoattentus n. sp. comes closest to A. attentus but differs from this species in its greater body length, head shape, shape of the amphideal fovea, longer cephalic setae, presence of secondary indentations along the anterior part of the lateral lines, shape of the spicules and shape of the spinneret. (ref. ID; 1732)

    Descriptions

  • Female: Resembling males in most respects. Cuticle with 302-317 coarse annules along the dorsal and 277-298 annules along the ventral half of the body. Lateral field originating at the 14th to 16th annule. Secondary indentations regularly present anteriorly or very rare. Twelve to 16 prominent body pores present. Amphideal fovea smaller. Female reproductive system typical for the genus. One female has both branches at the left side, the other female has the anterior branch at the right side and the posterior branch at the left side of the intestine. Vagina about 12 µm long, extending inward over about 1/3 of the corresponding body width. Tail elongate; anus a transverse oval. (ref. ID; 1732)
  • Male: Head width about 3/10 of maximum body width and about 1/3 of the body width at the pharyngo-intestinal junction. Cuticle about 3.5-4.0 µm thick; with 230-317(273, n=13) coarse annules along the dorsal and 221-300(261, n=13) annules along the ventral half of the body. Annules wider in the middle of the body than near the extremities; in a straight portion of the body near the middle they measure about 3 µm. No longitudinal striations present. Lateral field marked off by two crenated lines, originating at the 10th to 16th annule (n=13), at 33-41(36, n=13) µm from the anterior end of the body, and extending throughout the body till about 3/4th of the tail length; 1.5-2.5 µm wide. The lateral lines are indented opposite the transverse striae of the cuticle, but more indentations may occur anteriorly. At first these secondary indentations are regularly distributed, but further back their distribution becomes irregular. From 13 to 18 (n=13) prominent body pores present, irregularly distributed along the dorsal and the ventral side of the lateral field. A minute projection can often be observed inside each pore. The first or second body pore (exceptionally both) provided with a strong and much longer seta. Each pore connected with a granular, oval epidermal gland cell, on the average 11 µm long and 5 µm thick. The first pore occurs at the 9th to 13th annule and was missing on one side in one male (n=13). The second pore occurs at the 19th to 25th annule (n=13). Head 7-8 µm broad, 7-8 µm high, i.e. about as broad as high. Four well-developed setae present, 6.5-7.5 µm long i.e. somewhat shorter then the corresponding head width. Amphideal fovea large, about 4.5-5.5 µm wide, i.e. somewhat more than 3/5th of the head width at head base, forming a single spiral. Spiral character sometimes obscure because of low central elevation. The anterior margin of the amphids opposite the base of the cephalic setae. Fusus widening at the level of the 4th to 6th annule. Mouth opening small. Stoma about 2 µm long, very narrow, inverse funnel-shaped. Pharynx a narrow, weakly muscularised cylinder, 133-157(147, n=13) µm long; joining the stoma at the level of the cephalic setae. Dorsal pharyngeal gland opening into the pharyngeal lumen in the head region. The anteriormost part of the pharyngeal lumen is sometimes expanded. Pharyngo-intestinal junction cylindrical with conical tip. Intestine a rather uniform tube. Ventral gland large; cell body situated in the region of the pharyngo-intestinal junction; accompanied by coelomocytes. Male reproductive system at the left side of the intestine, only the posterior testis developed. A large anterior blind sac with granular wall is partly filled with sperm and probably functions as a vesicula seminalis. At its blind end there are three coelomocytes closely opposed to the genital tract at one side and the intestine at the other. Spicules 20-25(22, n=13) µm long axially. Proximally provided with a capitulum, distally blunt, sometimes with a small posterior hook. Gubernaculum 6-7 µm, consisting of a median piece and two lateral projections. In all specimens (n=13) four pre-anal tuboid supplements present; their length varies from 9 to 12 µm. The one but last supplement is surrounded by a prominent cuticular elevation. Tail 112-131(116, n=13) µm long, narrowing gradually to a short somewhat variable spinneret. Caudal region provided with four pairs of well developed setae: three pairs lateroventrally, two of which are caudal, one opposite the spicula heads, 5-6 µm, and one pair laterodorsally near the end of the lateral field, 3.5-4.0 µm. Cloacal aperture inverse T-shaped. Anterior tip with two minute dots that may represent sensillar endings; posterior lip shield-like. Three well-developed caudal glands present, the anteriormost extending dorsally from the intestine in the region of anterior supplements. Spinnert conical, moderately long. (ref. ID; 1732)