Cryptaphelenchus radiatae sp. nov. (Aphelenchoididae: Tylaphelenchinae), collected from dead wood of Pinus radiata Coulter in Australia and New Zealand

Cryptaphelenchus radiatae sp. nov. is described from dead wood of Pinus radiata from both New Zealand and Australia. The new species is morphologically characterised by having a female 337–391 μm long; with lateral field comprising three incisures; a cap-like cephalic region; slender stylet 7.7–10.8 μm long; spherical to ovoid median bulb with valve plates in posterior half; nerve ring one body width behind bulb; secretory/excretory pore 1.4 body widths posterior to nerve ring; anus and rectum absent; vulva at ca 75% body length; no post-vulval uterine sac; and a conoid tail with a bluntly rounded tip. The male is smaller with a tail which is strongly ventrally arcuate when heat relaxed; has arcuate, mitten-shaped spicules 13.0–15.5 μm long when measured along arc; one single and three pairs of caudal papillae; apophysis present; conoid tail with mucronate tip; and lateral lines expanded at the level of the cloaca to form a structure similar to a bursa. Based on morphology, it most closely resembles Cryptaphelenchus aedili. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the status of C. radiatae as a new species and most close to Cryptaphelenchus baujardi and C. americanum. While the nematode was cultured in vitro on Botrytis cinerea, the insect on which it is phoretic is unknown. The distribution and host plant associations of Crytaphelenchus are discussed.