Molecular Character of Mylonchulus hawaiiensis and Morphometric Differentiation of Six Mylonchulus (Nematoda; Order: Mononchida; Family: Mylonchulidae) Species Using Multivariate Analysis

Mononchida members are predatory nematodes with the potential to reduce number of plant-parasitic in soil. During a survey on Iran, several populations Mylonchulus were recovered from various localities. A population M. hawaiiensis was studied using 18S rDNA. The phylogenetic analysis Bayesian inference placed sequenced hawiinesis (OP210758) together other Japan (AB361438-AB361442) 1.00 posterior probability support. In addition, morphological differences between six (Nematoda; order: Mononchida; Family: Mylonchulidae) investigated Iran discriminant analyses (DA), PERMANOVA, and principal coordinate (PCoA). purpose evaluate efficacy PCoA DA separating species, namely sigmaturus, paitensis, lacustris, brachyuris, kermaninesis, hawaiiensis. To achieve this, 16 morphometric measurements (body length, a, b, c, c′, V, G1, G2, buccal cavity width, dorsal tooth apex, neck amphid anterior end, rectum, tail length) made 160 specimens. variance showed that all features significantly different among except position end length. stepwise revealed body c′ value four most discriminating variables useful distinguish clearly species Mylonchulus. strong discriminatory power correctly classified 98.87% individuals Iran’s sample known species. results provide basis for effectively distinguishing