New evidence on cryptic speciation in soil-inhabiting nematodes, with morphological and molecular characterisation of Xiphinema sangesarense n. sp. (Dorylaimida: Longidoridae) from north-central mountains of Iran

Summary A new species of the dagger nematode, genus Xiphinema , was recovered from rhizospheric soil samples collected rangelands in Semnan province, north-central Iran, and described based upon both morphological molecular data. sangesarense n. sp. is characterised by 3.7-4.8 mm long females having 136-154 μ m odontostyle, 74-87 odontophore, two equally developed genital tracts with crystalloid bodies tubular part uterus, short dorsally convex, ventrally slightly convex tail a mucron at end, four juvenile developmental stages males present, functional. The most closely resembles X. azarbaijanense regarded as its tentative cryptic form, but separated it reproductive mode, differences. Compared to afratakhtehense second similar species, could be on differences, especially characteristics juveniles Furthermore, has close morphology five know namely: aequum horvatovicae illyricum macedonicum vuittenezi terms (mainly structure uterus female tail), their differences are discussed. In phylogenetic analyses using several sequences partial large subunit (LSU) D2-D3, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, formed clade LSU tree, ITS tree . cytochrome c oxidase I ( COI ) gene occupied placement inside