Steinernema ethiopiense sp. n. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from Ethiopia

Three isolates (Dero-1, Dero-8 and Mosisa-1) of a new entomopathogenic nematode, S. ethiopiense sp. n., were isolated by baiting soil samples from the Mendi area, Western Wollega, Ethiopia, with last instar wax moth larvae Galleria mellonella. Infective juveniles of S. ethiopiense sp. n. have a body length of 898 (768-1010) μm, a maximum of eight identical ridges (i.e., nine lines) in the lateral field, excretory pore located at mid-pharynx, hyaline layer occupying approximately half of the tail and c′ = 3.2. First generation males lack a caudal mucron, whereas second generation males possess a short spine-like mucron. The spicules are slightly arcuate, golden-brown in colour and have an ellipsoid or oblong manubrium. First generation females lack a postanal swelling and have a minute protuberance on the tail tip whereas second generation females have a postanal swelling and protruding vulva. Based on the morphology, morphometrics and DNA analysis, the new species belongs to the glaseri group. The closest relative species is the afro-tropical S. karii recorded from Kenya. The BLAST analysis of the ITS region of the rDNA revealed a similarity of 93% with S. karii, supporting the validity of S. ethiopiense sp. n. as a new species. In the phylogenetic trees the new species groups together only with S. karii (bootstrap value of 100%), but is also separated from S. karii by a bootstrap value of 100% or 70%.