Manganonema Bussau, 1993

Leduc, Daniel, 2015, One new genus and five new nematode species (Monhysterida, Xyalidae) from Tonga and Kermadec Trenches, Southwest Pacific, Zootaxa 3964 (5), pp. 501-525 : 513

Manganonema Bussau, 1993

Diagnosis (modified from Fonseca & Bezerra (2014)): Cuticle striated. Somatic setae short, more or less papilliform (1 µm), arranged in four longitudinal rows (two latero-ventral and two latero-dorsal). Conspicuous dummy-shaped anterior end, sometimes conico-cylindrical, with head diameter at least one third smaller than body diameter at level of amphideal fovea. Cephalic sensillae arranged in two circles: an anterior circle of six inner labial papillae, and a second circle of six outer labial setae and four cephalic sensillae (usually setiform). Amphideal fovea circular, 40–90% of corresponding body diameter. Buccal cavity minute, surrounded by pharyngeal musculature. Secretory-excretory system absent. Male reproductive system usually monorchic, sometimes diorchic with opposed and outstretched testes; anterior testis to the left of intestine, posterior testis (when present) to the right of intestine. Spicules small; gubernaculum apparently absent. Tail conical to conico-cylindrical, with gradually tapering distal end.

Remarks. Article 34.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature states that “The ending of a Latin or Latinised adjectival or participial species-group name must agree in gender with the generic name with which it is at any time combined; if the gender ending is incorrect it must be changed accordingly (the author and date of the name remain unchanged)”. However, Article 31.2.2 states that “Where the author of a species-group name did not indicate whether he or she regarded it as a noun or as an adjective, and where it may be regarded as either and the evidence of usage is not decisive, it is to be treated as a noun in opposition to the name of its genus (the original spelling is to be retained, with gender ending unchanged)”. Therefore, it is proposed that the endings of the following species names, which are best regarded as adjectives, be emended to reflect the neutral gender of the Greek— nema: M. robustus Fonseca et al., 2006 and M. media Fonseca et al., 2006 (these species names should now end with the suffix— um).