First report of two unrecorded Nematode species (Nematoda: Cephalobina) from India

The Cephaloboidea are a relatively distinctive group of widely distributed bacterial-feeding soil nematodes, most frequently represented by the family Cephalobidae. These nematodes, which are often striking in their labial morphology, are found in soils worldwide and are typically the most abundant microbivores in soil ecosystems. The present study has been conducted to survey the distribution and identification of soil inhabiting nematodes from the root zones of different plantations. Two species of free living nematodes belonging to suborder cephalobina have been discovered, Stegellata ophioglossa Andrassy, 1967 was isolated from the rhizosphere of Sorghum plantation in Aligarh, U.P. India while Zeldia tridentata Allen and Noffsinger, 1972 was found from the rhizosphere of Guava & Cashew-nut plantations in Odhisa, India. S. ophioglossa is characterized by small body, Cuticle with transverse and longitudinal striations, giving it a tessellated appearance. Distinct lateral fields with three incisures. Labial probolae with wide base, 4-6µm long, bifurcate. Prongs divergent and equal, mono-prodelphic reproductive system and flat tail terminus. Z. tridentata has a robust body, gradually tapering toward both the ends, cuticle with transverse annules, each annule with two rows of punctations, conoid female tail with acute terminus.