Morphological and molecular characterisation of Steinernema hermaphroditum n. sp. (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), an entomopathogenic nematode from Indonesia, and its phylogenetic relationships with other members of the genus

Steinernema hermaphroditum n. sp., a new entomopathogenic nematode isolated from soil samples in the Moluccan islands, Indonesia, is described. Morphological observations as well as biological evidence (cross-hybridisation studies) indicate the distinctness of S. hermaphroditum n. sp. from other Steinernema spp. This new species is characterised by the presence of hermaphrodites in the first adult generation. Key morphological diagnostic characters include: a digitate tail with a mucro and a glandular spermatheca filled with sperm in the first generation hermaphrodite; the value of D%; the morphology of the male spicules and gubernaculum and the number and arrangement of the genital papillae; the values of D%, E% and the pattern of the lateral field of the third-stage infective juvenile. Additionally, molecular evidence obtained from ITS rDNA RFLP profiles, 28S rDNA sequence analyses, and phylogenetic reconstruction provide further evidence to establish this nematode as a new species.