Description of a Marine Nematode Hopperia sinensis sp. nov.(Comesomatidae) from Mangrove Forests of Quanzhou, China, with a Pictorial Key to Hopperia Species

A new free-living marine nematode species Hopperia sinensis sp. nov. from mangrove forests of Fujian Province, China, is identified and illustrated. Hopperia sinensis sp. nov. is characterized by its cephalic setae 2.4–2.8 μm long or 17%–20% head diameter, and amphids of 2.25–2.5 turns. Lateral differentiation appears with larger, more irregularly distributed dots behind 3–5 transverse rows of dots posterior to amphid. Buccal cavity is consisted of a shallow and weakly sclerotized cup-shaped portion with strongly sclerotized walls of 18–21 μm deep. There are three sclerotized and size-equally pointed teeth at the junction between the two parts. Spicules of 41–45 μm long are slightly curved with broadband velum and central strips at the proximal end. The gubernacula, with apparent lateral guiding pieces, are formed by one central tubular piece that is weakly sclerotized with 11–16 μm long dorso-caudally directed apophyses. There are 13–14 fine tubular precloacal supplements. Conico-cylindrical tail gradually tapers till pointed tail tip. Female is similar to male, but have a longer body and tail. Ovaries are opposed and outstretched, with anterior ovary to the left and posterior ovary to the right of the intestine. A pictorial key to all the valid known species in genus Hopperia is given.

Two new species of free-living nematodes from the East China Sea

Two new species of free-living marine nematodes of the genera Hopperia and Nemanema are described from the sublittoral sediment of the East China Sea.Hopperia macramphida sp.nov.is characterized by having large amphidial fovea with five turns;arcuate spicules with enlarged proximal end and central internal lamella extending one third of spicule length from proximal end;gubernaculum with bent apophyses,six papilliform precloacal supplements;and conico-cylindrical tail with swollen tip and terminal setae.Nemanema minutum sp.nov.is characterized by relatively smaller body size in the genus;large oval amphidial fovea;conical tail;slender spicules with alae and hooked proximal end;ring-like gubernaculum;and papilliform precloacal supplements with three short setae.An updated dichotomous key is provided for the 17 species of Hopperia.