Odilia sp.

Smales, L. R., 2009, Helminths Of Melomys Rufescens And Melomys Spp. (Muridae: Hydromyinae) From Papua New Guinea With The Descriptions Of A New Genus And Five New Species In The Heligmonellidae (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 57 (1), pp. 5-15 : 11-13

Odilia sp.

(Figs. 39–43)

Material examined. – 6 males, AM W32552, from the small intestine of Melomys rufescens ( Muridae : Hydromyinae ), Yapsiei area, 4°35'S 141°5'E, Sanduan Province, Papua New Guinea, coll T. Flannery, 17 Jan.1984.

Description. – Tiny, coiled worms; synlophe of 16–18 continuous ridges in the anterior and midbody. Axis of orientation of ridges passing through ventral right and dorsal left sides inclined at about 65° from the sagittal axis; gradient of size right to left on dorsal side, left to right ventrally.

Male (6 specimens): Length 1.9–2.35 (2.08) mm; maximum width 47–53 (50). Cervical vesicle 23–29.5 (26) long; oesophagus 280–350 (303) long. Bursa asymmetric, right lobe larger, dorsal lobe shorter than lateral lobes, with dorsal notch; dorsal ray divided in distal half; rays 8 arising at same level in dorsal trunk, proximal to branching of dorsal ray. Spicules filiform, tips pointed, curved but not hooked, 260–280 (275) long; gubernaculum13.6–15.3 (14.2) long.

Remarks. – The morphology of the synlophe and bursa of the present species was congruent with the characteristics of the genus Odilia ( Mawson, 1961) (see Durette-Desset, 1983). The suite of measurements and the form of the synlophe, were not however, consistent with any known species. The available specimens were difficult to study, with the details of the anterior end and bursa concealed by the coiling of the body and the infolding of the bursa. And since no females were obtained the proposal of a new species is withheld.