Studies on mononchida of India. XII. Genus mylonchulus (Cobb, 1916) Altherr, 1953 With descriptions of three new species

Abstract

Populations of Mylonchulus obtained from different localities in India belong to thirteen species, three of which are new, viz., M. mashhoodi n. sp. which is closest to M. mulveyi but differs in the shape of the buccal cavity and in the positions of the dorsal tooth and vulva. M. amurus n. sp. resembles M. hawaiiensis but has no submedian teeth. M. apapillatus n. sp. is similar to M. dentatus but has no vulval papillae, and differs also in the nature of the caudal glands and tail shape. The known speecies are M. brachyuris (Butschli, 1873) Altherr, 1953; M. lacustris (N. A. Cobb in M. V. Cobb, 1915) Andrassy, 1958; M. sigmaturus (Cobb, 1917) Altherr, 1953; M. hawaiiensis (Cassidy, 1931) Andrassy, 1958; M. subsimilis (Cobb, 1917) Meyl, 1957; M. mulveyi Jairajpuri, 1970; M. dentatus Jairajpuri, 1970; M. nainitalensis Jairajpuri, 1970; M. contractus Jairajpuri, 1970; and M. muradi Jairajpuri, 1970. The males of M. hawaiiensis and M. contractus are also described. A key to the species is given.