Description of Ten New Species Including Two New Genera of Nematodes (Nematoda) Associated with Economically Important Crops of Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir

| During the survey of soil and plant-parasitic nematodes of vegetable and fruit crops of Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir, ten new species including two new genera of following were recovered: Fotedaronema kashmiriensis gen. n. sp. nov., from soil around roots of Pyrus communis L. from Sonamarg, Parasicagutter chitwoodi gen. n. sp. nov., from soil around roots of Pyrus malus L. in Pattan, Kochinema pahalgamiensis sp. nov., from soil around roots of Brassica oleraceae from Pahalgam, Kochinema kanganiensis sp. nov., from soil around roots of Lycopersicum esculentum Miller, in Kangan, Tylencholaimellus brassicus sp. nov., from the roots of Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L. in Pulwama, Tylencholaimus orientalis sp. nov., from soil around roots of Glycine max (L.) Miller, in Handwara, Longidorus goldeni sp. nov., from soil around roots of Prunus persica in Sopore, Mylonchulus shamimi sp. nov., from soil around roots of Pyrus communis L. from Sonamarg, Chronogaster anantnagiensis sp. nov., from soil around roots of Pyrus malus L. in Anantnag, and Chronogaster mustafaensis sp. nov., from soil around roots of Juglans regia L. in Tral, Kashmir. Morphological and morphometric details, line drawings along with description, characteristics, and relationships of each new genus and species with its closely related genera and species are given.


Introduction
S oil and root samples were collected and analyzed during a survey of soil and plant-parasitic nematodes of vegetable and fruit crops in Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir to study the nematode fauna belonging to orders Dorylaimida, Plectida and Mononchida. During the surveys, several new species of these orders were encountered and are described and illustrated herein. The Dorylaimida order includes several species that act as vectors and are responsible for transmitting soil born plant viruses, ultimately causing severe damage to crop of economic importance all over the world thus resulted in creating interest in the study of this group. The classification of this order was revised by several scientists (Siddiqi, 1969;Andrássy, 1976;Fotedar and Handoo, 1978) including the keys and additional reports recently provided by ( Jairajpuri and Ahmad, 1992;Shah et al., 2015Shah et al., , 2018Esquivel et al., 2011). This is one of the extensive report on nematodes known to be associated with several economically important vegetables and fruit crops of Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir. A few earlier reports of nematodes in region dealt primarily with individual species (Fotedar and Handoo, 1974, 1977a, b, 1978, 1979a, b, 1980aFotedar and Kaul, 1986;Handoo, 1980aHandoo, , b, 1983Handoo and Shahin, 1980;Jairajpuri,1964aJairajpuri, , 1965Waliullah, 1989). The objectives of this study were (1) to arrange a survey so as to more fully characterize, identify and describe nematodes associated with vegetable and fruit crops in Kashmir valley; (2) provide more extensive distribution of genera and species of nematodes, and (3) document their presence to establish their pest status that may have a significant impact on agriculture in the region.

Materials and Methods
Three-inch core soil and root samples were collected and analyzed during a survey of soil and plantparasitic nematodes of vegetable and fruit crops in Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir. Soil samples were collected from time to time from around the roots of fruit trees and vegetable crops. Samples from superficial layers were collected with the help of a borer having one inch bore. Usually, 3 to 4 inches deep samples from the field were combined and processed in the laboratory. Soil samples from deeper layers particularly in case of fruit trees were collected by digging the ground with the help of a spade and soil collected with the trowel. Each sample consisted of 5-6 sub samples and the selection of samples was mainly from around the roots. A high number of nematode fauna was separated from soil by sieving and Baermann funnel extraction, fixed in 3% formaldehyde and processed to glycerin by the formalin glycerin method (Hooper, 1970). Line drawings were drawn while looking the specimens on a compound microscope with prism attached to 10x eye piece drawn at 100x objective. All measurements are in micrometers, unless otherwise mentioned.
Fotedaronema gen. nov. Diagnosis: Belondirinae. Body long and slender taking a strong ventral curvature. Cuticle thin, transversally striated. Head set off from the body by a deep constriction, disc like. Stylet short and thin measuring about one head width, lumen and stylet aperture fine. Basal extension of stylet symmetrical rod like. Amphid stirrup shaped. Anterior part of oesophagus thin and non-muscular, no swelling present at base of stylet extension. Posterior part of oesophagus bulbous, set off by deep constriction from the anterior tubular part. Cardia complex with three distinct cells (like the members of Nygolaimidae). A loose spiral sheath of muscles surrounds the basal bulbous part of the oesophagus. Intestine polycytic. Gonads amphidelphic symmetrical. Rectum about 1 anal body width in length. Tail dorsally convexconoid with a sub-acute end.  5-49.5; b= 4.7-5.7; c=28.9-29.9; c'=2.1-3.1; V= 46-49 %; stylet = 7-8 μm; stylet extension= 5-6 μm.

Description
Female: When killed by hot water body assumes an open "C" shape. The arcuature of the body is more in the posterior third of body. Body slender, cylindrical tapering at both the ends anteriorly from neck base to a set off head measuring about half the body width at base. Body cuticle thick interrupted by fine transverse striations. Lateral hypodermal chord arising as a thin streak in region of anterior tubular part of oesophagus which assumes a maximum width of 1/3 rd of body at mid body. Lateral hypodermal glands well developed measuring about 25 μm posterior to vulva. Lip region set off by a deep constriction, cap like and measures 8 x 4 μm in dimension. Labial papillae very prominent projecting beyond the labial contour. Stoma with cuticularized inverted funnel. Guiding ring single and anteriorly located. Stylet symmetrical, short 7 μm in length, its lumen about 1 μm broad with a small aperture measuring about 1/6 th of stylet length. Stylet extension small rod like measuring 5 μm in length, being slightly shorter than stylet. Anterior tubular part of oesophagus swollen in form of spindle behind base of extension. Oesophagus composed of an anterior tubular part and basal bulbous part, the former measuring 100 μm in length, non-muscular and cylindrical. Nerve ring located at about 60 μm from anterior end. Basal oesophageal bulb muscular, cylindrical and set off from anterior tubular part by a sudden deep constriction. There is a small isthmus like region which represents the modified distal part of the tubular oesophageal region. Small cuticularized plates present at the junction between 2 parts of oesophagus. Basal oesophageal bulb measures 75 μm in length x 11 μm wide (70-75 x 11-13 μm in paratypes) and is surrounded by a sheath. Five oesophageal gland nuclei are visible, unpaired dorsal and two pairs of sub-ventral gland nuclei lodged in the bulb along with their openings. Cardia complexed with distinct cells. Gonads didelphic opposed symmetrical, ovaries reflexed at oviduct. Vulva a transverse slit. Vagina at right angles to body axis, extending to about 1/3 rd of body width across. Rectum about one anal body width in length. Prerectum not very much differentiated measuring about 2 rectal length from anus. Tail strongly dorsally curved measuring about 3 anal-body-width in length ending with a sub-acute rounded terminus.

Male: Not found.
Type specimens: Holotype (Female) on slide No. PN/FOT/3 in authors collection and paratype females on slide No: PN/ FOT/1-2 deposited in the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir.
Type host and locality: Specimens were collected from soil around roots of Pyrus communis L. from Sonamarg, Kashmir.  Diagnosis and relationship Fotedaronema kashmiriensis gen. n. sp. nov. is distinctive by having a disc like set off head by deep constriction, presence of small isthmus like region, complex nature of cardia with three distinct cells and by the shape of tail ending into a subacute rounded terminus. However, it comes close to Belondirella Thorne 1964, Yunqueus Thorne 1964, Durinema Jairajpuri, 1966, Bullaenema Sauer, 1968 and Axonchoides Thorne, 1967, but differs from all the above genera by having a constriction between the anterior and posterior portion of oesophagus. It also comes close to Axonchium Cobb, 1920 andAnchobelondira Nair andCoomans, 1971. From Axonchium the n. gen. differs by the presence of isthmus like region between the two parts of oesophagus and by having two female gonads, while from Anchobelondira it differs by the shape of lip region which is disc like set off by deep constriction, the presence of isthmus like region between two parts of oesophagus and shape of female tail.
In view of the above differences the present form is placed in a new genus for which the name Fotedaronema is proposed.

Description
Female: Nematodes, when killed body assumes an open "C" shape. Body slender, cylindrical tapering at both the ends, anteriorly from neck base to a knob like head which measures 2/3 rd of body at neck base. Body cuticle interrupted by transverse striations. Amphid stirrup shaped, its aperture measuring 5 μm across i.e., about 55% of head width. Stoma weakly sclerotized, tubular, forming a stylet guide located at 10 μm from anterior end. Stylet slender measuring 13 μm in length, its lumen measuring 1 μm in width. Stylet extension simple rod like, measuring 9 μm in length. Oesophagus made up of two parts an anterior tubular slender part, measuring 84 μm in length which proximally in the region of stylet extension forms a spindle like swelling and distally expanding to form the basal oesophaqeal bulb which measures 60 μm in length, and having maximum width of 12 μm. Nerve ring located at 50 μm from anterior end. The five oesophageal gland nuclei and their openings are lodged in the basal oesophaqeal bulb. The unpaired dorsal oesophageal nuclei located at 7 μm whereas 1 st pair of sub-ventral gland nuclei at 28 and 29 μm (right and left) and 2 nd pair of sub-ventral gland nuclei at 37 and 39 μm from where the basal oesophageal bulb starts expanding. Cardia hemispherical measuring 8x8 μm in dimension.
Vulva, atransverse slit at 47%; vagina at right angles to body axis extending to 1/3 rd of body across. Gonads didelphic and symetrical. Ovaries reflexed at the oviduct and oocytes mostly arranged in single row except in zone of multiplication. Prerectum not differentiated. Rectum measuring about one anal body width in length. A small post-anal-blind sac present. Tail elongate conoid with a small protuberance at the tip, the former measuring a little less than 2 analbody-widths in length. Two pairs of caudal pores present.

Male: Not found.
Type specimens: Holotype female on slide No.PN/ KOC/3 in authors collection and paratype females on slide No: PN/KOC/1-2 deposited with the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir.
Type host and locality: Collected from soil around the roots of local cultivar (Hak) of Brassica oleracea from Pahalgam, Kashmir.

Diagnosis and relationship
Kochinema pahalgamiensis n. sp. is distinctive by having a knob like head, stirrup shaped amphid, hemispherical cardia, post anal blind sac and by the presence of an elongate conoid tail with a small protuberance. However, it comes close K. proamphidium Heyns,1963, K. tenue Argor Van and den Berg, 1971 and K. kanganiensis n. sp. from K. proamphidium and K. tenue, the new species differs in the smaller body size and stylet, anteriorly located vulva (L= 0.82-0.98 mm; stylet= 25.8 μm; V= 56-59% in K. proamphidium; L=0.81-0.87. mm; stylet= 17 μm; V=55 % in K. tenue). From K. kanganiensis, the new species differs by having a smaller body and stylet, a posteriorly located and widely open vulva, and by the shape of cardia. In view of the above differences the present form is considered here to constitute the new species for which the name K. pahalgarniensis is proposed.

Etymology:
The species name refers to the type locality Pahalgam.

Description
Female: The body assumes an arc like shape on being killed by hot water. Body cuticle moderately thickened more so in the head and tail region. Body is cylindrical, tapering at both the ends anteriorly from neck base to form the head which is about 1/3 rd body width at neck base, while posteriorly behind the vulva it has an elongated conoid tail. Cuticle finely transversally striated. Head expanded and knob like, set off by deep constriction from the adjacent body and measures 9x5 μm in dimension. Amphid funnel shaped located anteriorly in the head region, its aperture measuring 4 μm across i.e., 44% of lip width. Stylet and its extension measuring 20 μm and 16 μm in length respectively, the latter being slightly smaller than the former, and rod like. Anterior part of oesophagus swelling in a spindle like shape, at the base of the extension, and thereafter becoming tubular measuring 120 μm in length being coiled distally and expands gradually to form the basal oesophageal bulb. The later measures 60 μm (55-70 μm in paratypes) long and 11 μm wide (10-14) μm in paratypes. Cardia well developed, elongate conoid (8-10 μm in paratypes). Five gland nuclei i.e., unpaired dorsal gland nucleus located at 13 μm from where the basal bulb starts expanding, the first pair of sub-ventral gland nuclei located at 36 and 37 μm, respectively (right and left) from where oesophagus starts expanding. Second pair of gland nuclei located at 54 μm where the oesophagus expands, their opening lie close to the gland nuclei. Vulva a transverse slit, vagina at right angles to body axis measuring a little less than l/2 of body width across. Female gonad paired, amphidelphic; ovaries reflexed at oviduct; oocytes mostly arranged in single row except the zone of multiplication. Rectum about1 anal-body-width in length. Tail dorsally convexconoid, measuring about one time the anal-bodywidth in length ending with a sub-acute rounded terminus bearing two pairs of caudal pores.
Male: Not found.  . From K. tenue, the new species differs by its smaller body, longer stylet and anteriorly located vulva (L=0.81-0.87 mm; stylet= 17 μm; V= 55% in K. tenue) while from K. secutum the present species differs by shorter body, longer spear and anteriorly located vulva (L= 1.03 mm; stylet= 15 μm; V= 53% in K.secutum). In view of the above differences the present form is considered here as a new species for which the name K. kanganiensisis proposed.

Etymology:
The species name refers to the type locality Kangan.
Parasicagutter gen. nov. Diagnosis: Parasicagutterinae. Nematodes belonging to this genus are characterized by having the body almost straight, thick cuticle, interrupted by transverse striations. Lip region conoid smooth and continuous. Four cuticularized small platelets surround the oral opening. Amphid funnel like located at the base of the head, with fairly cuticularized aperture. Body cuticle in the anterior region of the head (near the head) exceptionally thickened. Stoma moderately cuticularized, inverted funnel like forming a single guiding ring. Stylet is robust measuring about 2 head widths in length, with its lumen about 1/7 th of stylet length in width; stylet extension less than two stylet length long, with a flanged base. Anterior part of oesophagus narrow, then expands generally to the main muscular part which is about 40% of total oesophageal length and lodges the five oesophageal gland nuclei and their openings. The dorsal oesophageal gland nucleus located almost at the level where the oesophagus starts expanding. Cardia large measuring about 30 μm in length, having distally a stem like projection which is jutting into the beginning of intestine. Pre-rectum differentiated, about two rectal length long. Vulva pre-equatorial in position; gonad single and posteriorly located, ovary reflexed. Tail long and filiform with a protoplasmic core running till the tip. Measurements Female (Holotype): L= 1.2 mm; a= 26; b= 4.3; c= 9.7; V= 34%; stylet= 13 μm.; stylet extension= 24 μm.

Description
Female: When killed the nematodes assume a slightly ventrally curved posture (body straight in some paratypes). Body robust, cylindrical, distinctly transversally striated throughout its length. Body cuticle thick, special thickenings present below the head. Head continuous, low and round measuring 6μm across, with four cuticularized platelets surrounding the oral aperture. Labial papillae indistinct. Stoma weakly developed, inverted funnel like, extending up to 9μm from anterior end and forming a single guiding ring. Stylet asymmetrical, 13μm in length and with its lumen 2μm broad. Stylet extension flanged, measuring 24μm in length. Anterior tubular part of oesophagus measures about 211μm in length and expands gently at its distal end to form the cylindrical basal oesophageal bulb which measures142μm in length having a maximum width of 25μm. Dorsal oesophageal gland nucleus almost at the level where the basal bulb starts expanding, whereas the first pair of sub-ventral gland nuclei located anterior to the middle of bulb and posterior pair of sub-ventral gland nuclei is situated in the posterior 3 rd of bulb. The gland opening lies close to the gland nuclei. Oesophago-intestinal junction well marked. Cardia large, measuresa bout 30 μm in length having distally a stem like projection which is protruding in the beginning of intestine.
Vulva a transverse slit located at 33% of body length. Gonad single, posterior ovary reflexed at oviduct arranged in double row in zone of reproduction while a single row in zone of maturation. Uterinesac anterior, small and rudimentary. Vagina extending little less than half of vulval body width into the body. Tail filiform gradually narrowing and measuring 9 anal-body widths in length. Tail terminus finely rounded.
Male: Not found.
Type specimens: Holotype female on slide No.PN/ PAR/3 in authors collection and paratype females on slide No. PN/PAR/1-2 deposited in the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir.
Type host and locality: Collected from soil around roots of Pyrus malus L. Pattan, Kashmir.

Diagnosis and relationship
The new genus Parasicagutter resembles Pungentus Thorne and Swanger, 1936, Thornenema Andrássy, 1959and Sicagutter Siddiqi, 1971. From Pungentus, n. genus differs in the shape of lip region, shape of amphid, number of guiding ring and by the presence of lateral cuticularization below the head. Head offset by sharp constriction, guiding ring double, amphid stirrup shaped, cuticularization absent below the head in Punguntus. From Thornenema the present genus differs by the thick cuticularization below the head. The new genus however, comes close to Sicagutter from which it differs by having asymmetrical stylet, flanged extension, large and complexed cardia and by the single gonad. It also comes close to Indodorylaimus Prabha and Ali, 1973 but can be distinguished by the striated nature of body cuticle, presence of four cuticularized platelets around the oral aperture, asymmetrical stylet, flanged extension and by the long and complex nature of cardia. In view of the above differences, the present form Parasicagutter chitwoodi sp. nov. is distinct and a new genus Parasicagutter is proposed to accommodate the new species.

Description
Female: Body almost straight in the anterior half of its length with a slight ventral curvature in the posterior 3 rd region. Body cuticle, distinctly transversally striated and having a radial element in the tail region. Cuticle thick made up of 3 layers getting very much thickened at the tail terminus, the inner most layer being two and a half microns thick. Body tapering at either ends, anteriorly from neck base to a slightly set off head measuring a little less than one fourth of the body at neck base. Lateral hypodermal chord arising as a thin stria below the stylet extension assuming a maximum width of one fifth of body at mid body. Lateral pores arranged generally in lip region thereafter arrangement becomes irregular. Head angular, in outline with distinctly projecting outer circlet of papillae giving a faint suggestion of labial disc. Head measuring 6μm x 2μm in dimension, stoma weekly cuticularized tubular, guiding ring single located at 4μm from head end. Stylet measuring 10μm in length with its aperture measure 2.5 μm i.e. one fourth of stylet length. A distinct dorsal siphon present. Stylet extension measuring 10 μm having a small flange like knobs at its base. Oesophagus consists of 2 parts. The anterior part tubular, non-muscular, measuring 90 μm in length, encircled by nerve ring located 60 μm from anterior end. Hemizonid present. Basal oesophageal bulb measures 20 x 10μm in dimension, set off by constriction from anterior tubular part. Cardia rounded. Intestine oligocytus having a broad lumen, running throughout its entire length. Pre-rectum distinct and well-marked measuring 73μm in length i.e., 5.6 times the anal-body width in length.
Vulva a depressed transverse slit. Vagina wall distinctly cuticularized, with vagina extending up to about half of vulva body-width across. Gonad single, posterior ovary reflexed at oviduct, with anterior end extending up to the vagina. Anterior uterine branch small and rudimentary. Rectum measures 13μm in length, being slightly less than one anal body width in length. Tail cylindrical mostly clavate, measuring 23μm in length i.e., 1.4 times the anal body width in length, with two pairs of caudal pores.  Diagnosis and relationship Tylencholaimellus brassicus n. sp. is distinctive from all the nominal species of genus Tylencholaimellus by having a head angular in outline with distinctly projecting out circlet of papillae giving a faint indication of labial disc, presence of a dorsal stiphin, conoid rounded cardia and clavate rounded tail. However, it comes close to T. rotundoconicus Kmuzova, 1966 andT. eskei Siddiqi and. From the former, the new species differs by having a smaller stylet, stylet extension ratio (stylet extension equal in length) and shape of tail (clavate rounded in present species). Stylet measures 9.14μm and stylet extension 6.8 μm with a conoid rounded tail in T. rotundoconicus. From T. eskei, the new species differs by smaller spear extension, position of vulva and longer and differently shaped tail (stylet= 17-19 μm, V= 33-37%; c= 24-28; tail conoid rounded in T. eskei).

Description
When killed in 3% formaldehyde, nematodes assume a ventrally arcuate shape. Body short and slender. Body cuticle coarsely striated with distinct radial elements. Lateral hypodermal chord originating in region of stylet base and assumes a maximum width of about half of body width at mid body. Lip region is almost continuous, with slight depression at the adjoining neck measuring 6 x3μm in dimension. Stoma weakly sclerotized forming a single stylet guiding ring located at 4μm from anterior end. Amphid stirrup shaped, its apertures measuring 3μm across i.e., 50% of lip width. Sensillar sac is located at 14μm from anterior end. Stylet slender, measuring 7μm in length, stylet extension is simple rod like, its length being equal to stylet and distally provided with slight thickening sat base. Oesophagus with an anterior slight tubular part measuring 90 μm in length with the reduced musculature expanding gradually at its base into a cylindrical basal oesophageal bulb, the latter measuring 63 μm in length i.e., 39% of the bulb. Cardia conoid rounded. Intestine has a distinct lumen. Pre-rectum not found. Gonad single, anteriorly located and ovary reflexed in the oviduct. Ovocytes mostly arranged in single rows. Vagina sigmoid, distinctly cuticularized pushing up to half of body width into the body. Post uterine sac absent. Rectum slightly longer than half of anal body width in length. Tail cylindrical with hemispherical terminus measuring 12μm in length, being slightly longer than anal body width, 2 pairs of caudal pores present.

Male: Not found.
Type specimens: Holotype female on slide No. PN/ Tyl/14 in authors collection and paratype females on slide No. PN/Tyl/11-13 deposited in the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir.
Type host and locality: Collected from soil around roots of Glycine max L. from Handwara, Kashmir.

Diagnosis and relationship
Tylencholaimus orientalis n. sp. is distinctive by having body length from 0.45-0.49 mm, stylet= 7-9μm, stylet extension 7-8μm, V= 72-76%; stirrup shaped amphid; cardia conoid rounded, tail cylindrical with hemispherical terminus. However, it comes close to T. minimus De Man, 1876 and T. pusillus Loof and Jairajpuri, 1968, from the former the new species differs by having slightly set off lip region and smaller body, while from T. pusillus by longer body and stylet, shape of lip region, shorter tail and presenceof distinct radial striae (L= 0.34-0.40 mm; c= 24-28; lip region deeply set off; stylet and extension 5-6 μm and 4-5 μm, respectively and radial striae absent in T. pusillus). In view of the above differences the present form is considered a new species for which the name Tylencholaimus orientalis sp. nov. is proposed.

Description
Female: When relaxed in hot water nematodes assume a strong ventral arcuature especially in the posterior 3 rd of body, the body shape often assuming the form of single or double spiral. Body long and slender, tapering anteriorly from base of neck to a continuous rounded head, which is about 1/3 rd of body width at base of oesophagus whereas posteriorly to a cylindrical and elongated tail. Lateral body pores present throughout the length of body, leading into hypodermal pouches, which are arranged serially in the neck region while becoming irregular in the rest of body. Dorsal and ventral pores not seen. Lateral hypodermal chord arising as a thin streak in region of stylet extension and continues to entire body length assuming a maximum width of 1/3 rd of body. Stylet 95 μm. Body cuticle thick made up of 3 layers, becoming quite distinct in region of head and tail. Faint transverse striations are interrupting the body cuticle throughout. Lip region continuous rounded, measuring 12μm x 5μm in dimension. Amphid bilobed and slightly asymmetrical. Amphidial aperture minute. Sclerotization of stoma weak, guiding ring located at about 30 microns from anterior end i.e., 2.5 times lip width from anterior end. Oesophagus with a long cylindrical slender, non-muscular tubular part expanding posteriorly to a setoff basal oesophageal bulb, the latter lodging the dorsal and the first pair of sub ventral gland nuclei and the openings of dorsal and sub ventral glands (the posterior subventral gland nuclei absent). Nerve ring located at 175 μm from anterior end. Cardia conoid rounded. Oesophago-intestinal junction well marked. Vulva, a transverse slit. Vagina inclined extending to half the body width across. Uterus with a thick muscular distal part. Gonads didelphic, opposed, reflexed. Oocytes mostly arranged in single row except in the zone of multiplication. Rectum shorter than one anal-body width in length. Tail elongate cylindrical, slightly, dorsally curved measuring about 45 μm in length i.e., 1.7 anal-body widths long ending with a rounded terminus. Two pairs of caudal pores present.

Male: Not found.
Type specimens: Holotype female on slide No. PN/ LON/3 in authors collection and paratype females on slide No. PN/LON/1-2 deposited in the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir.
Type host and locality: Collected from soil around roots of Prunus persica L. from Sopore, Kashmir.

Diagnosis and relationship
Longidorus goldeni sp. nov. is distinctive by having a long and slender body, stylet measuring 95-100 μm with its extension equal to about half of the stylet length, presence of conoid rounded cardia and by having an elongate cylindrical tail with two pairs of caudal pores. However, the new species comes close to Longidorus mirus Khan et al., 1971 and Longidorus nirulai . From L. mirus it differs by having longer and slender body, long stylet and extension, shape of the vagina and longer rectum (L= 3-3.6 mm; a= 70-90; stylet= 75-85 μm; stylet extension= 40-50 μm, vagina at right angles to body axis and rectum 1/2 of analbody width in length in L. mirus). From L. nirulai the present species can easily be differentiated by shorter stylet, extension length and shape of female tail and the absence of males (stylet= 100-160μm, stylet extension 62-68 μm; c= 54-66; tail subconoid,sub digitate and males present in L. nirulai). In view of the above differences the present form is considered here to constitute a new species for which the name Longidorus goldeni is proposed.

Etymology:
The species name is given in honor of Dr. A.M. Golden for his outstanding contribution to Nematology and for the guidance he provided to senior author while working with him in his Laboratory as well as he also established Nematode Taxonomy Program and USDA Nematode Collection at Beltsville, Maryland, USA.

Description
Female: Nematodes when killed in hot water, assume an almost straight shape in the anterior two third of the body whereas in the posterior 3 rd body region getting strongly ventrally arcuate. Body tapering only slightly anteriorly from the head which is about 2/3 rd as wide as body at base of neck. Body cuticle thick, smooth, getting more thicker in the region of head and tail. Lip region only slightly set off rounded in outline measuring 22 x 6 μm in dimension with labial papillae projecting well beyond the contour. Stoma almost oval with pointed base and measuring 26 x 13 μm in dimension. Dorsal tooth large, anterior edge concave and the posterior edge convex merging into the stoma at about middle of stomal length. Apex of tooth extending to almost anterior half of stoma. Sub ventral denticles fairly distinct, equal in size, and arranged in six rows. Posterior 3 rd of stoma embedded in anterior portion of oesophagus. Oesophagus narrowing slightly to nerve ring, the latter located at about 118μm from anterior end. The oesophagus gradually widens towards base behind the nerve ring. Oesophago-intestinal junction nontuberculate. Intestine with wide lumen and provided with numerous refractive granules. Type host and locality: Collected from soil around roots of Pyrus communis L. from Sonamarg, Kashmir.

Diagnosis and relationship
Mylonchulus shamimi sp. nov. is distinctive by having lip region continuous with very faint depressions, large dorsal tooth with anterior edge concave while posterior edge convex, vulva with slightly raised lips and by the presence of caudal gland and spinnert on tail. However, it comes close to M. nainitalensis Jairajpuri, 1970 andM. agriculturae Coetzee, 1967.

Description
Female: When killed by hot water body assumes an open "C" shape. Body cylindrical, tapering at both the ends from the base of neck to a conoid un-striated lip region, which measures 1/3 rd of body width at base of oesophageal bulb. Lateral fields not marked.
Transverse annulation of the cuticle measures 2.2 μm at the base of the neck and 2.3 μm apart at mid body. First annule below lip region, narrower than the succeeding annules. Crystalloids in the body cavity present especially prominent in the neck region. Lip region conoid, anteriorly flattened measuring 9 x 5 μm in dimension; no striations in lip region. Amphidial aperture an oval slit located at 6 μm below anterior end of body and measures 5 μm across. Four slender and curved forwards cephalic setae measuring 5 μm long i.e., have shorter than the head width and located in the first annule. Mouth cavity in two parts, anterior one measuring 7 x 3 μm in dimension, the posterior part narrow, measuring about 26 μm long separated from oesophageal lumen by an extension. Oesophagus a cylindrical tube measuring about 220 μm in length thereafter it expands to an oval bulbous part measuring 20 x 13 μm in dimension. Oesophagus lumen has two sections, the anterior one serrated bearing about 7 denticles, the posterior bulbal prolongation of oesophagus is about 34 μm in length i.e., 1.4 times as long as the bulb. Nerve ring located at about 130 μm from anterior end. Excretory pore located at 145 μm from anterior end. Hemizonid not present. Vulva, a depressed inconspicuous transverse slit, vagina extending to more than one third of body width into the body. Gonad single anterior, ovary reflexed at the oviduct. Posterior uterine sac present, measuring more than half vulval body widths in length. Tail dorsally curved, uniformly striated till the tip measures 9 times anal body width in length with obtusely rounded terminus bearing four mucro of which the lateral mucro is slightly larger than the others. Caudal gland and spinneret absent.
Male: Not found.
Type specimens: Holotype female on slide no. PN/ CHR/3 in authors collection and paratype females on slide no.PN/CHR/l-2 deposited in the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir.

Type of host and locality
Collected from around roots of Pyrus malus L. from Anantnag, Kasmir.

Diagnosis and relationship
Chronooaster anantnagiensis n. sp. is distinctive by having the above-mentioned characters. However, it comes close to C. andrassyi Loof and Jairajpuri, 1965; C. serrulata Loof, 1973 andC. tvpica De Man, 1921. From C. andrassyi the present species differs by the absence of longitudinal striations on lip region and presence of crystalloids and by the presence of posterior uterine branch (longitudinal striation on lip present, crystalloid and post uterine branch absent in C. andrassvi). From C. serrulata the new species differs by anteriorly located vulva, longer tail which is not notched terminally bearing three mucro (one large and two small). Vulva percentage between 52-57%, c= 9.1-10.6 and tail emarginated terminally with one large mucro bent ventrally and showing small thorns on its dorsal side in C. serrulata. The new species can easily be differentiated from C. typical by the shape of head, broader amphidial aperture, longer post bulbal along prolongation and the number of mucro on tail tip. Truncate flat head, amphidial aperture small, post bulbar elongation equal or shorter than bulb and tail tip with single mucro in C. typica. In view of the above differences the present species is considered to constitute a new species for which the name C. anantnagiensis is proposed.

Etymology:
The species name refers to the type locality Anantnag.

Description
Female: When killed, nematodes assume a strongly ventrally arcuate shape especially in the posterior 3 rd region of the body. Body tapers at either ends, anteriorly from neck base to a hemispherical continuous head having slightly depressed sides, head being less than 1/3 rd of body at base of oesophagus. Lateral field absent. Body cuticle coarsely annulated, the first body annule just below the head measures one micron apart and is considerably narrower than the succeeding body annules. The width in anterior region of neck is about 1.9 μm apart. At base of neck it is 2 μm apart and reduced to about 1.8 μm wide in the ventral region. Head dome shaped, measuring 9 x 4 μm in dimension, its width being 39% of body width at neck base. There are no transverse and longitudinal striations on the lip. Four cephalic setae measuring 9 μm in length are slightly larger than the lip width. Amphid with oval curved transverse slits, measuring 5 μm across and located at about 4 μm from anterior end i.e., at the level of the 1 st and 2 nd body annule. Mouth cavity has two parts, the anterior one subcylindrical measuring 9 x 3 μm in dimension, the posterior part narrow measuring about 20 μm long, separated from oesophageal lumen by an expansion. Oesophagus cylindrical tube anteriorly widening in a spindle shape in the region of the narrower part where oesophageal lumen gets expanded. The anterior tubular part of oesophagus measures about 220 μm in length distally getting expanded into an oval bulbous part, the latter measuring 22 x 12 μm in dimension. The post bulbal prolongation of oesophagus about 24 μm in length i.e., about 1.1 times as long as the bulbous part. Nerve ring located at 5 to 8 annules anterior to excretory pore. Excretory pore situated about 8 annules posterior to nerve ring. Hemizonid absent. Excretory duct not cuticularized. Vulva an inconspicuous transverse slit. Vagina extending to one fourth of vulva body width across. Gonad single anterior, ovary reflexed at the oviduct. Posterior vulval sac is short. Rectum less than one anal body width in length. Tail strongly ventrally curved, narrowing to a sub-acute striated terminus with a one large mucro surrounded by two small spines. Tail measures almost fifteen anal body width in length.

Male: Not found.
Type specimens: Holotype female on slide No. PN/CHO/ 7 in authors collection and paratype females on Slide No. PN/CHO/5-6 deposited in the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir.
Type host and locality: Collected from soil around the roots of Juglans regia L. from Tral, Kashmir.

Diagnosis and relationship
Chronogaster mustafaensis sp. nov. is distinct by having hemispherical continuous head, dome shaped, amphid with oval curved transverse slits and tail strongly ventrally curved regularly narrowing to a subacute striated terminus with one large mucro surrounded by two small spines. However, it comes close to C andrassyi Loof andJairajpuri, 1968 andC. citri Khan andNanjappa, 1972. From C. andrassyi it differs by the absence of longitudinal striae in the1ip region, absence of hemizonid, posterior uterine branch present and length of tail (anal-body-width ratio). From C. citri to which it comes very close, can be differentiated by the shape of stoma, position of excretory pore in relation with nerve ring, more robust body and longer oesophagus which is posteriorly located (a= 40-47, b= 4.5, V= 49-53 % in C. citri).
In view of the above differences the present form is considered here in to constitute a new species for which the name C. mustafaensis is proposed.