Leptonchus

  

Contents

  

Rev 05/13/2025

  Classification Biology and Ecology
Morphology and Anatomy Life Cycle
Return to Leptonchus Menu Ecosystem Functions and Services
Distribution Management
Return to Leptonchidae Menu Feeding  References
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Classification:

Enoplea
Dorylaimia
     Dorylaimida
Leptonchidae
Leptonchus Cobb, 1920

Type species of the genus: Leptonchus granulosus Cobb, 1920

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Morphology and Anatomy:

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  • Small to medium nematodes, 0.7 to 1.5 mm long.
  •  \Cuticle typical tylencholaimoid,  inner layer  with irregular margibs and abundant radial refractive elements. Body pores arranged in two rows along edgess of lateral chords.
  • Lip region cap-like, offset from body contour by a constriction.
  • Cheilostom a truncate cone, often with circumoral thickenings.
  • Odontostyle thin, straight, with narrow lumen and minute aperture.
  • Odontophore usually arcuate.
  • Esophagealexpansion bulb-like, pyriform, occupying about one-fifth of total esophagus length.
  • Pre-rectum very long, extending anterior to vulva. 
  • Tail similar in sexes: short, rounded to conoid.

Female:

  • Didelphic-amohidelphix
  • Vulva a transverse slit.

 

Males:  

  • Diorchic, testes outstretched
  • Dorylaimid spicules and 5 to 7 spaced ventromedian supplements.

Ref: Goseco et al (1974), Pena-Santiago (2006).
Body size range for the species of this genus in the database - Click:
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Distribution:

Most species from terrestrial habitats, occasionally freshwater.

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Feeding:

Food Sources and Feeding strategies for the genus Leptonchus

    Classified as hyphal feeders  (Yeates et al., 1993)    

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Biology and Ecology:
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Life Cycle:

For Ecophysiological Parameters for this genus, click 
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Ecosystem Functions and Services:

 

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Management:

 

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References:

Andrassy, I. 2009. Free-living Nematodes of Hungary (Nematoda Errantia) Vol. 111. Humgarian Natural History Museum, Budapest. 508p.

Goodey, T and J.B. Goodey, 1963. Soil and Freshwater Nematodes. Methuen. London.

Goseco,C.G., Ferris, V.R. and Ferris, J.M. 1974. Revisions in Leptonchoidea (Nematoda: Dorylaimida). Leptonchus, Proleptonchus, Funaria, and Meylis n.gen. in Leptonchidae, Leptonchinae. Research Bull. Ag. Exp. Sta, Purdue Univ. 911. 32p.

Pena-Santiago, R. 2006. Dorylaimida Part 1. Superfamilies Belondiroidea, Nygolaimoidea and Tylencholaimoidea. Pp 326-391 in  E. Abebe, Istvan Andrassy, W. Traunspurger (eds) Freshwater Nematodes: Ecology and Taxonomy. CABI Publishing.

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.

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Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: May 13, 2025.