Protocylindrocorpus brasiliensis n. sp. (Diplogastroidea: Cylindrocorporidae) associated with the ambrosia beetle, Euplatypus parallelus(F.) (Curculionidae: Platypodinae) in Para rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis)

Authors

  • G. Poinar, Jr. Department of Integrated Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
  • J. C. P. da Silva Department of Plant Protection, FEIS/UNESP, Av. Brasil, 56, 15385-000 - Ilha Solteira – SP BRAZIL
  • C. A. H. Flechtmann Department of Plant Protection, FEIS/UNESP, Av. Brasil, 56, 15385-000 - Ilha Solteira – SP BRAZIL

Keywords:

ambrosia beetle, conspecific agglutination, Cylindrocorpidae, elongate spicules, nematode diseases, Protocylindrocorpus

Abstract

Protocylindrocorpus brasiliensis n. sp. (Diplogastroidea: Cylindrocorporidae) is described from reproductive stages removed from galleries of the ambrosia beetle, Euplatypus parallelus (F.) (Curculionidae: Platypodinae) in Para rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in Brazil. This is the first record of the genus Protocylindrocorpus from the Neotropics. Males of P. brasiliensis are quite striking because their long spicules extend up to 72% of their total body length. The adults exhibit “conspecific agglutination” where they congregate in a slimy substance that serves to maintain them in a coherent group for mating. Some of the adults were infected by fungal and protozoan pathogens, implying that disease plays a role in regulating natural populations. The discovery of P. brasiliensis provides new information on nematode structure, behavior, and ecology.

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Published

2014-06-01

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Articles