taxonID	type	description	language	source
03837B24FFFB9A21FF2BFD5DFBD98D97.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 4 BC 4 C 5 B 2 - E 8 F 5 - 452 D-A 0 F 1 - 802 E 30 A 754 D 7 (Figures 2 and 3, Table 1)	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFFB9A21FF2BFD5DFBD98D97.taxon	materials_examined	Type material: Seven males and two females were collected in May, 2024 from Tamil Nadu, India, measured and studied. Holotype: 1 male on slide number ZSI – HQ / WN. 5151 / 1 (National Zoological Collections, Nemathelminthes Section, Zoological Survey of India – Headquarters, Kolkata, Worm Nematode), Paratypes: 2 males and 1 female on slide number ZSI – HQ / WN. 5151 / 2.; 4 males and 1 female on slide number ZSI – HQ / WN. 5151 / 3. Type locality and habitat: Intertidal sandy sediment at Dhanushkodi Old Town, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, lying on the east coast of India, Bay of Bengal (9 ° 10.629 ' N Latitude and 79 ° 24.965 ' E Longitude). Characteristics of surface sediment: Temperature (° C) – 33.2, Salinity (ppt) – 32; pH – 7.6.	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFFB9A21FF2BFD5DFBD98D97.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species epithet ‘ dhriti’ is named in honour of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee for her significant contributions in the field of Taxonomy and Systematics.	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFFB9A21FF2BFD5DFBD98D97.taxon	description	Measurements (Table 1). Descriptions Males. Body medium sized, slender, ranging from 1076 – 1309 μm in length (Figure 2 E). Cuticle strongly annulated, eight longitudinal ridges. Head distinct (Figures 2 B, 3 A). Lips high, deeply incised (Figure 2 B). Buccal cavity with square anterior part, spacious and broad, gradually tapering posteriorly into a conical shape (Figures 2 B, 3 A). Groove present just below the lips, two scalloped cuticular rings (Figure 2 B) within the mouth. Amphidial fovea circular, situated beneath the buccal cavity (Figures 2 B, 3 B). Pharynx cylindrical (Figure 2 A); cardia small and triangular. Two opposed testes. Somatic setae present. Spicules cephalated, bulbous structure, rectangular curvature, tip pointed (Figures 2 C, 3 D). Gubernaculum with a knob-like structure, surround spicules tip (Figures 2 C, 3 D). Tail conical, tip without annulation (Figure 2 D). Three caudal glands present. Females. Similar to the males in body shape and structure except the reproductive system. Females possess single anterior gonad.	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFFB9A21FF2BFD5DFBD98D97.taxon	diagnosis	Differential diagnosis: Corononema dhriti sp. nov. differs from the other three species of this genus (C. parvum, C. thai and C. vulgare) by the combination of the following characters: buccal cavity with square anterior portion, spacious and broad, gradually tapering into a conical posterior part (vs. cylindrical, deep and wide in other species); amphideal fovea circular, beneath the buccal cavity (vs. above base of buccal cavity or at the level of pharyngostoma); gubernaculum with a knob-like structure surrounding the spicules tip (vs. smooth, without the knob like structure, surrounding the spicules tip).	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFFB9A21FF2BFD5DFBD98D97.taxon	discussion	Comparative morphological characters of all species of Corononema including C. dhriti sp. nov are summarized in Table 2, and a pictorial guide is presented in Figure 4, adapted from Nicholas & Stewart (1995) and Phuong et al. (2023). In addition to the diagnostic morphological characters, the new species is geographically distinct from its congeners. C. dhriti sp. nov. described from India, whereas C. parvum and C. thai have been originally described from Australia and Thailand respectively and C. vulgare from Vietnam (Figure 5).	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFFB9A26FF2BFE86FA6B8A33.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (Emended from Nicholas & Stewart 1995 and Phuong et al. 2023) Cuticle prominently annulated with eight longitudinal ridges or without ridges. Lips high, deeply incised. Deep groove around the head just posterior to the insertion of six inner labial setae, in front of outer labial and cephalic setae, sets off the lip region from the slightly tapered buccal region. Pharyngostoma in the shape of cylinder with strongly cuticularized walls or square anterior portion, spacious and broad, gradually tapering into a conical shape posteriorly. Amphideal fovea circular, located at the level of pharyngostoma or beneath the buccal cavity. Spicules strongly curved ventrally, cephalated. Gubernaculum smooth or with a distinct knob-like structure, without dorsal apophyses. Precloacal supplements absent.	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFF19A2BFF2BFD4DFCDD8AD7.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: A 6 CB 8297 - AE 5 D- 45 A 6 - BA 27 - ADB 898 B 0 A 181 (Figures 6 and 7, Table 3)	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFF19A2BFF2BFD4DFCDD8AD7.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Three males and five females were collected in May, 2024 from Tamil Nadu, India, measured and studied. Holotype: 1 male on slide number ZSI – HQ / WN. 5150 / 1 (National Zoological Collections, Nemathelminthes Section, Zoological Survey of India – Headquarters, Kolkata, Worm Nematode), Paratypes: 1 male and 2 females on slide number ZSI – HQ / WN. 5150 / 2 ZSI – HQ / WN.; 3 females on slide number ZSI – HQ / WN. 5150 / 3; 1 male on slide number ZSI-HQ / WN. 5150 / 4 Type locality and habitat: Intertidal sandy sediment at Dhanushkodi Old Town, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, lying on the east coast of India, Bay of Bengal (9 ° 10.629 ' N Latitude and 79 ° 24.965 ' E Longitude). Characteristics of surface sediment: Temperature (° C) – 33.2, Salinity (ppt) – 32; pH – 7.6.	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFF19A2BFF2BFD4DFCDD8AD7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species epithet ‘ indica’ refers to the country of origin, India.	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFF19A2BFF2BFD4DFCDD8AD7.taxon	description	Measurements (Table 3). ...... continued on the next page Descriptions Males. Body cylindrical, measuring 2825 – 3087 μm in length. Cuticle smooth, apparently with sub-surface annulations. Head slightly tapering anteriorly (Figure 7 A). Cephalic capsule sclerotized (Figure 7 B). Lips high, inner surface with semi-lunar striations. Six inner and six outer labial sensilla setiform; four short cephalic setae. Buccal cavity armed with three mandibles and three onchia (one dorsal and two sub-ventral). Mandibular column slender, separated by thin sheet of cuticle, 13 – 14 μm in length (Figure 6 B). Amphideal fovea not observed. Pharyngeal glands present. Pharynx muscular, cylindrical shaped; cardia triangular. Numerous long setae present at pharyngeal region. A cervical circle consisting of 10 bundles, each composed of approximately 10 densely arranged short setae, located posterior to nerve ring (Figures 6 A, 7 C). Tail conico-cylindrical, with two short terminal setae and two long subterminal setae (Figure 6 D). Two opposed testes situated to the left of intestine. Spicules short, slightly curved and narrow (Figures 7 E, 6 C); gubernaculum absent. A single precloacal supplement present, tubular shaped (Figure 7 D). Females. Similar to males in body shape. Paired, opposed and reflexed ovaries present.	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
03837B24FFF19A2BFF2BFD4DFCDD8AD7.taxon	diagnosis	Differential diagnosis: Epacanthion indica sp. nov. is characterized by a cervical circle composed of 10 bundles, each consisting of approximately 10 densely arranged short setae posterior to the nerve ring; short spicules measuring less than 2 cloacal body diameters (cbd) in length; the presence of a precloacal supplement and gubernaculum absent. Out of the 28 valid species within this genus, the new species is most similar to the group of species with cervical circle of densely arranged short setae (denominated Group I by Shi and Xu, 2016): E. fasciculatum Shi & Xu, 2016; E. gorgonocephalum Warwick, 1970; E. hirsutum Shi & Xu, 2016; E. longicaudatum Shi & Xu, 2016; E. quadridiscus Shimada, Kajihara & Mawatari, 2009 and E. sparsisetae Shi & Xu, 2016. Epacanthion indica sp. nov. differs from E. quadridiscus and E. sparsisetae in having cervical circle posterior to the nerve ring (vs. cervical circle anterior to or at the same level of nerve ring). Epacanthion indica sp. nov. is similar to E. fasciculatum and E. longicaudatum in having cervical circle below the nerve ring and a single precloacal supplement. However, the new species differs from E. fasciculatum and E. longicaudatum in having fewer bundles in the cervical circle (10 bundles in E. indica sp. nov. vs. 18 bundles in E. fasciculatum and 16 bundles in E. longicaudatum); the absence of gubernaculum (vs. present) and the presence of terminal setae (vs. absent). Epacanthion indica sp. nov. differs from E. gorgonocephalum and E. hirsutum in the absence of gubernaculum (vs. present), presence of one precloacal supplement (vs. absent), arrangement of setae in cervical circle (10 bundles in E. indica sp. nov. vs. in a wide band in E. gorgonocephalum and in a circle line in E. hirsutum).	en	Datta, Ritika, Rizvi, Anjum Nasreen (2026): Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Corononema dhriti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae) and Epacanthion indica sp. nov. (Enoplida: Thoracostomopsidae), from the Tamil Nadu coast, India. Zootaxa 5782 (3): 527-542, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.3.6
