Tylenchid nematodes found on the Nunatak Basen, East Antarctica

One new, four known and one unidentified species of tylenchid nematodes are described from samples collected on the nunatak Basen, Vestfjella, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. Apratylenchoides joenssoni sp. nov. differs from the only other known species of Apratylenchoides, A. belli Sher, 1973, in having a pumpkin-like spermatheca, shorter dorsal gland lobe, longer tail, and crenate tail tip. Pratylenchus andinus Lordello, Zamith et Boock, 1961, Tylenchorhynchus maximus Allen, 1955, Aglenchus agricola (de Man, 1884) Meyl, 1961 and Paratylenchus nanus Cobb, 1923 were also recorded for the first time in Antarctica. The rather unexpected presence of plant parasitic nematodes in habitats devoid of vascular plants and some biogeographical implications of the findings are discussed.