Corresponding author: Andreas Schmidt-Rhaesa (
Academic editor: David Gibson
About 350 species of freshwater horsehair worms (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) are currently known. Of these, only 14 species (plus an additional undetermined
The specimens investigated were preserved in 70% ethanol, directly after their emergence from the host, an undetermined praying mantis. Pieces about 1 mm long were cut from the mid-body region of each worm. These and the entire posterior ends were prepared for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The pieces were dehydrated in an increasing ethanol series, critically point dried and coated with gold in a sputter coater. Observation took place using a LEO SEM 1524 under 10 kV. Digital images were taken.
Mamit Village, Mamit District, Mizoram, India, 23°54'54.94"N, 92°29'16.75"E. Collected July 21, 2010 by Lalramliana and Remsangpuia.
Male specimen from the type locality emerged from
Male specimen from the same host specimen and same locality as the holotype. Deposited in the Zoological Museum in the Department of Zoology at Pachhunga University College, Aizawl-Mizoram, India, accession number PUCZM - A/V/1115.
Both specimens emerged from one specimen of
The name refers to the region in which the new species was found, Mizoram in NE India.
The holotype is 200 mm long, with a diameter of 1.3 mm in the mid-body region. Towards the posterior end, the diameter decreases to about 0.7 mm at the level of the cloacal opening. The anterior end is also tapered. The paratype is 265 mm long and has a diameter in the mid-body region of 1.5 mm;, at the level of the cloacal opening the diameter is 0.79 mm. The frontal tip in both specimens is white, whereas the remaining body is medium brown. A pattern of darker patches (the “leopard pattern”) is present in both specimens; in the holotype this is more pronounced than in the paratype.
The cuticle contains six types of areoles (areoles are elevated cuticular structures), for which the terminology of
Characteristic for species of
The posterior end of the males is rounded, and a small median incision may be present (
With about 90 described species,
The types of areoles present on the cuticle of
Several
The male posterior end of the new species corresponds, as far as is known, in general with those of the males of other
In summary,
In the key provided by
“crowned areole filaments branched
We thank Dr. Tawnenga, Principal, and Dr. K. Lalchhandama, Head, Department of Zoology, Pachhunga University College, Mizoram, India, for providing funding and laboratory facilities. Many thanks also due to Mr. Remsangpuia, who helped with collecting the specimen.