Acantholaimus Allgén, 1933

Manoel, Alex, Esteves, André Morgado & Neres, Patrícia Fernandes, 2022, Two new species of Acantholaimus (Nematoda, Chromadoridae) from the deep southeastern Atlantic (Santos Basin), Zootaxa 5209 (2), pp. 238-256 : 241

Genus Acantholaimus Allgén, 1933

(modified after Venekey et al. 2019)

Diagnosis: Cuticle punctate, with transverse rows of dots; lateral differentiation may be presented as enlarged dots arranged irregularly, or more sparsely, or in transverse or longitudinal rows. Head sensilla arranged in three circles, posterior two being at almost the same level and usually setiform (sometimes jointed). Anterior sensilla are often papilloid and indistinct. Somatic setae may be present or absent. Amphidial fovea large, round with interrupted posterior rim or nearly comma-shaped (spiral in one species). Buccal cavity armed with two or more solid teeth (indiscernible in two species), teeth minute or large, often eversible (two elongated and narrow stylet-like teeth present in two species). Spicules of a peculiar construction - flattened and strongly broadened proximally. Rodshaped gubernaculum without apophysis and bifurcated at its distal end. Spermatozoa giant, pear-shaped, often structurally complex. No precloacal supplements. Tail long, filiform. Marine, mostly deep-sea.