Scalpenchus		Contents		Rev 03/25/2025
		Classification		Biology and Ecology
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Scalpenchus Menu				Ecosystem Functions and Services
		Distribution		Management
Return to Leptonchidae Menu		Feeding		References
		Go to Nemaplex Main Menu		Go to Dictionary of Terminology

Classification:

Type species of the genus Scalpenchus scabrosus Siddiqi, 1995

 Back to Top

Morphology and Anatomy:

• Small nematodes, 0.6 to 0.7 mm long
• Lip region not offset, rounded.
• Cuticle tylencholaimoid with loose inner layer.
• Odontostyle asymmetrical with wide lumen and large aperture.
• Odontophore simple, not flanged.
• Basal expansion of esophagus pyriform, short.
• Tail conoid, ventrally arcuate.

Note:: The asymmetric odontostyle with wide lumen and large aperture is not characteristic of the Leptonchidae and the genus was initally placed in the Mydonomidae by Siddiqi (1995).  However, Pena-Santiago (2006) pointed out that the tylencholaimoid cuticle and pyriform basal expansion of the esophagus were more typlical of Leptonchidae.

Back to Top

Distribution:

Feeding:

The odontostyle with wide lumen and large aperture are not typical of other Leptonchidae and cast doubt on assignment of this genus as a fungal feeder; perhaps a predator/omnivore.

Back to Top

Biology and Ecology:

Back to Top

Life Cycle:

Back to Top

Ecosystem Functions and Services:

Back to Top

Management:

Back to Top

References:

Yeates, G.W., T. Bongers, R. G. M. De Goede, D. W. Freckman, and S. S. Georgieva. 1993. Feeding habits in soil nematode families and genera—An outline for soil ecologists. Journal of Nematology 25:315-331

Back to Top

Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: March 25, 2025.