Description of Meloidoderita salina sp. n. (Nematoda, Sphaeronematidae) from a micro-tidal salt marsh at Mont-Saint-Michel Bay in France

A new nematode species, Meloidoderita salina, has been discovered in the micro-tidal salt marsh of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, France. This is the first member of its genus found in a saline environment, characterized by unique features such as a cystoid formation with a sub-cuticular hexagonal beaded pattern and distinct morphological traits in both adult females and males. Phylogenetic analysis using small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences revealed that M. salina is closely related to Sphaeronema alni but diverges from other Criconematina species, suggesting a unique evolutionary path for this halophilic nematode.

Karssen, G., Ashrafi, S., Mugniery, D., van Heese, E., van Aelst, A., & Helder, H. (2012). Description of Meloidoderita salina sp. n. (Nematoda, Sphaeronematidae) from a micro-tidal salt marsh at Mont-Saint-Michel Bay in France. ZooKeys, 249, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.249.4138