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Title: A new species of Caenorhabditis (Nematoda: Rhabditida)found associated with termites(Anacanthotermes turkestanicus)in Uzbekistan

Author
item Handoo, Zafar
item LEBEDEVA, N - UZBEK ACADEMY SCIENCES
item Carta, Lynn
item KHAMRAEV, A - UZBEK ACADEMY SCIENCES
item ZHUGINISOV, T - UZBEK ACADEMY SCIENCES
item Raina, Ashok

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2005
Publication Date: 10/16/2005
Citation: Handoo, Z.A., Lebedeva, N.A., Carta, L.K., Khamraev, A.S., Zhuginisov, T.I., Raina, A.K. 2005. A new species of Caenorhabditis (Nematoda: Rhabditida) found associated with termites (Anacanthotermes turkestanicus) in Uzbekistan [Abstract]. In: International Workshop on "Termites of Central Asia: Biology, Ecology and Control", October 16-22, 2005, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. p. 38

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A new Caenorhabditis species was recovered from the head and legs of termites (Anacanthotermes turkestanicus) from Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This represents the first report of Caenorhabditis on termites anywhere in world and a new host and country record for Uzbekistan. The new species is characterized by having females with a body length of 1.3-1.6 mm, maximum body width of 80-90 micrometers, a = 13-18, b = 5.9-6.5, c = 22.5-29.1, vulva located at 57-58% of body length, anal body width = 32-37 micrometers, and tail length measuring 56-60 micrometers and tapers to a pointed short “spicate” terminus. Males have a body length of 1.0-1.5 mm, a = 17-20, b = 5.2, c = 25-27.5, tail length of 40-42 micrometers, and spicules measuring 75-80 micrometers. The new species is closely related to C. plicata, C. oerleyi and C. japonica, but differs from these species either by the shape and length of spicules, or by the nature of anterior ends with the absence of pharyngeal sleeves and by the shape of female tail; additional morphological characters further distinguish it from each individual species. The new species is a seasonal parasite of Anacnthotermes turkestanicus and can cause up to 100% mortality in laboratory culture. Although we do not know the extent of parasitization in the field, the obvious potential for biological control of termites will add a new component to the diverse ecology of Caenorhabditis species. Additional information regarding the distribution of this new species within the region and especially in termites throughout the world is needed.