Trophomera conchicola sp. n. (Nematoda: Benthimermithidae) from chemosymbiotic bivalves Idas modiolaeformis and Lucinoma kazani (Mollusca: Mytilidae and Lucinidae) in Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

A new species of Trophomera Rubtzov & Platonova, 1974 is described from the chemosymbiotic bivalves Idas modiolaeformis and Lucinoma kazani collected at Amon mud volcano in the eastern part of the Central Nile Province. Trophomera conchicola sp. n. is particularly characterised by 23.4 mm long body; finely annulated cuticle; 13-14 μm long cephalic setae; small amphid located 54 μm from anterior end; trophosome beginning 170 μm from anterior end; straight vulva; short conoid tail 73 μm long without terminal spike. This is the first record of the genus in bivalves, in hypoxic hydrogensulphide rich environment, and in the Mediterranean Sea.