Transcriptomics of Cruznema velatum (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) with a redescription of the species

Abstract Cruznema velatum isolated from soil in a chestnut orchard located at Guangdong province, China, is redescribed with morphology, molecular barcoding sequences, and transcriptome data. The morphological comparison for C. velatum and six other valid species is provided. Phylogeny analysis suggests genus Cruznema is monophyletic. The species is amphimix, can be cultured with Escherichia coli in 7–9 days from egg to egg-laying adult, and has a lifespan of 11 to 14 days at 20°C. The transcription data generated 45,366 unigenes; 29.9%, 31.3%, 24.8%, and 18.6% of unigenes were annotated in KOG, SwissProt, GO, and KEGG, respectively. Further gene function analysis demonstrated that C. velatum share the same riboflavin, lipoic acid, and vitamin B6 metabolic pathways with Caenorhabditis elegans and Pristionchus pacificus.