- Body cylindrical, gradually narrowing on tail;
ventrally curved upon fixation.
- Cuticle fi nely annulated along the entire body.
- Somatic pores and lateral alae absent.
- Somatic setae present on tail in both sexes.
- Labial region truncate, offset from the rest of the body by
constriction.
- Six well-separated lips. Inner labial sensilla small conical
(papilliform), not articulated. Outer labial sensilla long,
articulated, directed outward; located at the middle of labial
region, at level of cheilostomatal chamber. Cephalic sensilla at
base of labial region, shorter and thinner than outer labial
sensilla; setiform, articulated. Subcephalic setae and cervical
sensilla absent in both sexes.
- Amphids similar in shape and size in females and male;
immediately posterior to cephalic setae; aperture a transverse
slit leading to a cup-like fovea.
- Stoma of two parts: cheilostoma broad barrel-shaped;
pharyngostoma with anterior funnel-shape and posterior
subcylindrical chamber, by constriction.
- Walls of stoma asymmetrical, the dorsal wall being shorter
than the subventrals. Dorsal tooth apparently absent. Base of
posterior pharyngostomatal chamber with four backwardly directed
denticles - one on each ventrosublateral wall and two on dorsal
wall.
- Pharynx cylindrical, muscular; in its posterior part.
- Cardia multicellular, with about 40 nuclei; relatively
long.
- Secretory-excretory system present; exact location of
excretory pore unclear.
- Tail subcylindrical anteriorly, conoid posteriorly, with its
distal part bent ventrad.
- Caudal glands three, arranged in a row, opening through a
short spinneret.
|
Female:
- Didelphic, amphidelphic; genital branches symmetrical,
ovaries refl xed; uteri relatively long.
- Vulva a transverse slit, situated posterior to
midbody.
- Vagina straight, with thick walls and well developed
sphincter muscle.
- Oval sperm cells present in female gonoducts
Male:
- Diorchic: anterior testis outstretched, posterior reflexed.
- Spermatozoa oval in shape.
- Spicules paired and symmetrical, arcuate, with rounded
manubrium and conoid shaft.
- Gubernaculum arcuate, plate-like, without apophyses.
- Mid-ventral precloacal supplements small, papilliform,
three in number with the posteriormost located at level of
spicules
|