Proleptonchus

  

Contents

  

Rev 05/20/2025

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

Enoplea
Dorylaimia
     Dorylaimida
Leptonchidae
Leptonchinae
Proleptonchus Lordello, 1955

Type species of the genus: P. aestivus Lordello, 1955

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Morphology and Anatomy:

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Female:

  • Small to medium size, 0.8 to 1.9 mm long.
  • Cuticle tylencholaimoid, with outer and inner layesr apparentlu separate and abundant radial refractive elements.
  • Lip region cap-like, with amalgamated lips.
  • Cheilostom cuticularized, with a flask-like shape.
  • Odontostyle very slender with very narrow lumen and minute aperture.
  • Odontophore slender and somewhat arcuate.
  • Anterior portion of esophagus slender and weakly muscular; separated from basal portion by a short isthmus-like constriction; basal expansion occupying 1/5 to 1/4 of total esophagus length.
  • Female genital system monoprodelphic, with very long post-vulval sac.
  • Tail similar in sexes: short and rounded to conoid.

 

Males:  

  • Dorylaimid spicules and one to six widely spaced ventromedian supplements.

Ref: Pena-Santiago, 2006
Body size range for the species of this genus in the database - Click:
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Distribution:

Most species recorded from terrestrial environments but some from freshwater habitats.

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Feeding:

Food Sources and Feeding strategies for the genus Proleptonchus

      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:

Goodey, Soil and Freshwater Nematodes

Pena-Santiago, R. 2006. Dorylaimida Part 1. Superfamilies Belondiroidea, Nygolaimoidea and Tylencholaimoidea. Pp 326-391 in  E. Abebe, Istv�n 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 20, 2025.