The genus Discolaimus in Southern Africa. I. Introduction and redescription of D. krugeri Furstenberg & Heyns, 1966 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida)

Abstract

A survey of the literature leads to the conclusion that males are rare or absent in about half of the known species of Discolaimus and probably seldom functional, except in two species where spermathecae are present in the female reproductive system, viz. D. krugeri and D. levinae. The structure of the female gonads and the location of the oesophageal gland nuclei are discussed. A redescription of D. krugeri is given, based on material from several localities in South Africa as well as a single male from Namibia.