In May 2023, a free-living marine nematode species from the genus Parapinnanema was identified in the subtidal zone of Ulleungdo Island, the East Sea, Korea. Specimens were collected using the Smith-McIntyre Grab. These specimens exhibited close similarities to Parapinnanema imbricatum from the sublittoral of Moneron Island, particularly in terms of general characteristics, such as the detailed structure of the buccal cavity, the complex and ringed structure of the cuticle, the copulatory apparatus, spinneret, and the female genital system. However, the Korean specimens of Parapinnanema imbricatum also displayed distinctive features compared to the original description, including a relatively elongated body (3,317-4,339 μm vs. 3,100-4,200 μm) and a narrower body width (66-77 μm vs. 71-85 μm). Additionally, the diameter of the head was relatively shorter (24-29 μm vs. 28-36 μm). This paper offers a comprehensive morphological description, along with illustrations and DIC photomicrographs, of P. imbricatum from Korean waters.

The subgenus Tricoma Cobb, 1894 comprises free-living marine nematodes encompassing a total of 83 validated taxa. Within this diversity, twenty-one taxa thrive in the deep sea, while twenty-three are found in coral reefs, flat areas, or green algae. Additionally, eleven taxa inhabit the sublittoral zone at depths exceeding 10 meters, and the remaining taxa are situated on beaches, coasts, or in habitats lacking detailed information. In the course of a survey focused on the East Sea free-living marine nematodes, we identified four new and two previously unrecorded species belonging to the subgenus Tricoma. Specifically, two new species, Tricoma (Tricoma) breviseta sp. nov. and T. (T.) donghaensis sp. nov., were discovered in mud-sandy sediment in deepsea environments below 2000 meters within the Ulleung Basin and Hupo Bank. Two previously unrecorded species [T. (T.) paralucida Decraemer, 1987 and T. (T.) similis Cobb, 1912] and the two newly found species [T. (T.) longicauda sp. nov. and T. (T.) ulleungensis sp. nov.] were obtained from subtidal coarse sand at a depth of 20 meters during a survey of the waters surrounding Ulleungdo Island. The distribution and information on validated taxa within the subgenus Tricoma were systematically collected, reviewed, and cataloged. Detailed morphological features and illustrations of Tricoma species from Korea were provided through the use of differential interference contrast microscopy.

Rotylenchus pini Mamiya, 1968 was reported from rhizospheric soils of Zoysia japonica in Korea. Females and males of the characterized population conform to the original species description from Japan and also to other subsequent species descriptions with variations in a few details in morphometrics including the existence of pharyngeal gland overlap in some specimen. Bayesian analysis of all the three DNA markers consistently grouped R. pini together with Rotylenchus species including R. zhongshanensis, a morphologically close species. Additionally, the newly obtained sequences of R. pini were found to be almost identical to the sequences assigned to Rotylenchus aff. devonensis in GenBank. These Rotylenchus aff. devonensis isolates might be representatives of R. pini populations. The current and previous phylogenetic studies supported by the recorded morphological plasticity within populations of the genus validate the proposed synonymy of Pararotylenchus with Rotylenchus.

Three free-living marine nematodes (Desmoscolex (Desmoscolex) max Timm, 1970, Daptonema longiapophysis Huang and Zhang, 2010, and Pseudosteineria sinica Huang and Li, 2010) were newly recorded in Korea. Desmoscolex (D.) max was found from subtidal coarse sediment around Wangdolcho in the East Sea. It was characterized by the presence of untypical setae arrangement, obviously elongated triangle-shaped head, long hairy cephalic setae, a long naked tail spinneret, and the absence of peduncle at the base of somatic setae. Daptonema longiapophysis was obtained from intertidal sandy sediments in the southern coast of Korea. It was characterized by the presence of setiform labial sensilla, spicules with a projection on both sides, and gubernaculum with dorso-caudal apophysis. Pseudosteineria sinica was discovered from the intertidal sediment in the Yellow Sea. It was characterized by unobservable amphideal fovea, different lengths of spicules, and gubernaculum with dorso-caudal apophysis. In this study, we provide detailed morphological features of three free-living marine nematodes by differential interference contrast microscopy.

Admirandus multicavus Belogurov and Belogurova, 1979, a new record of free-living marine nematode species belonging to family Oncholaimidae is reported based on the specimens collected from the intertidal sediments of Korea. Admirandus multicavus is characterized by the following unique characteristics: cephalic setae (1-2 μm long), spicules (71-126 μm long) and gubernaculum (15-31 μm long), midventral preanal supplementary organ, three glandular duct openings of the Demanian system, and stoma length measuring twice the width. A comparative analysis of the biogeographical and ecological characteristics of Admirandus species is presented. DIC (Differential interference contrast) photomicrographs of the species are also provided herein. This report represents the first taxonomic analysis of the genus Admirandus Belogurov and Belogurova, 1979 discovered from the Korean seawaters.

Two new free-living marine nematodes of the genus Belbolla Andrássy, 1973 belonging to family Enchelidiidae are newly described based on specimens obtained from a shallow subtidal sediment of the western and southern outermost islands of Korea. Belbolla koreensis sp. nov. differs from other species of the genus by the combination of the following characteristics: longer body length (3,080-3,462 μm long), eight oesophageal bulbs in the posterior region of pharynx, well-developed two winged precloacal supplements (anterior precloacal supplement slightly longer than posterior one: 47-59 μm vs. 43-46 μm long), strongly arcuated, very thick, L - shaped spicule (122- 127 μm long, 1.7-1.9 anal body diameter (a.b.d.) long) with three separated blunt distal tips, and well-developed relatively long cylindrical shaped gubernacular apophysis with blunt teeth covering two thirds of the dorsal margin (57-58 μm long, 0.8-0.9 a.b.d. long). Belbolla hoonsooi sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characteristics: longer body length (3,494 μm long), eight oesophageal bulbs in the posterior region of pharynx, well-developed two winged precloacal supplements (anterior precloacal supplement slightly longer than posterior one: 43 μm vs. 36 μm long), strongly arcuated, L - shaped spicule (119 μm long, 1.5 a.b.d. long) with three separated blunt distal tip, and well-developed relatively long inverted triangle shaped gubernacular apophysis with blunt teeth covering half of the dorsal margin (45 μm long, 0.6 a.b.d. long). Detailed morphological characteristics and illustrations of two new Belbolla nematodes from the Korean seawaters were provided by differential interference contrast microscopy. Comparative tables on biogeographical and morphological characteristics of Belbolla species are also provided herein.

Free-living nematodes feed on bacteria, algae, fungi, dead organisms, and living tissues. They release nutrients for plant use and improve soil structure and water holding capacity. They are usually the most abundant type of nematodes in soil and marine environments. This study has been conducted to survey the distribution and identification of soil nematodes from rhizosphere soil of plant for investigation of indigenous species according to Convention on Biological Diversity. Three species of free-living nematodes belonging to the order of Dorylaimida were found from paddy soil and soybean fields, Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do and one species was found from soil, Dokdo island, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. Aporcelaimellus obtusicaudatus, Eudorylaimus arcus and Mesodorylaimus spengelii are newly collected from Korea. A. obtusicaudatus can be recognized by its large body, short odontostyle being much thicker than cuticle at the same level, well developed gonads, shape and length of the tail. E. arcus is distinctive because of the wide lateral field, tail form and supplement arrangement. M. spengelii is smaller species with short odontostylet, simple guiding ring. Female tail more or less uniformly attenuated, tip is not swollen, nor curved dorsally.

Oncholaimid nematode, Oncholaimus secundicollis Shimada, Kajihara and Mawatari, 2009, is firstly reported based on a comparative morphological study. The present specimens of O. secundicollis are collected from rocky intertidal seagrass on the eastern coast of Korea. Oncholaimus secundicollis is distinguished from all of its congeners by the following combination of morphological characteristics: buccal cavity large with thick cuticular wall and three teeth, left subventral tooth larger than right subventral or dorsal teeth, and the presence of two remarkable precloacal papillae with nine pairs of cloacal setae and single ventral tail papilla with two pairs of short setae. In this study, we provide taxonomic description and illustration of unrecorded species of the genus Oncholaimus.

Three unrecorded species of free-living marine nematodes, belonging to genus Enoplus Dujardin, 1845 collected from rocky intertidal seagrass on the eastern coast of Korea, are described and illustrated. Enoplus taipingensis Zhang and Zhou, 2012 is characterized by longer body size, a series of lateral setae throughout the tail in male, the presence of trumpet-shaped precloacal supplement with well-dilated proximal end, and the presence of spicules with five to eight semicircular plates. Enoplus meridionalis Steiner, 1921 is characterized by the presence of trumpetshaped precloacal supplement with slightly dilated proximal end, paired massive spicules, and tail with two pairs of stout terminal setae. Enoplus mammillatus Timm, 1959 is easily distinguished from the congeners by narrow tubular-shaped precloacal supplement. In this study, we provide detailed morphological features of three Enoplus species by differential interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. This is the first report on the species of the genus Enoplus from the Korean waters.

표고버섯좀나방(Morophagoides moriutii)은 최근 버섯 에 심각한 피해를 주는 해충으로 유충이 골목이나 종균, 자실체를 직접 가해하여 생산량을 감소시키고 상품성을 저하 시킨다. 표고버섯좀나방의 환경 친화적 방제에 이용 할 수 있는 가능성을 알아보기 위하여 국내 토양에서 탐 색된 토착 곤충병원성 선충 Steinernema carpocapsae GSN1 계통의 접종 농도별 병원성, 침입수, 증식수를 표고 버섯좀나방의 령기에 따라 조사하였다. 선충의 표고버섯 좀나방에 대한 병원성은 접종농도가 높을수록 증가하였다. 표고버섯좀나방 2령충, 3령충에서 유충 한 마리당 선충 감염태 유충(3령충) 80마리 접종부터 100%의 높은 병원 성을 나타내었고, 표고버섯좀나방 4령충은 한 마리당 선 충 감염태 유충 40마리 접종부터 100%의 치사율을 나타 내었다. 선충의 표고버섯좀나방 유충 체내로의 침입수는 접종 농도와 령기가 높을수록 선충의 침입수도 증가 하였 다. 선충 감염태 유충 5마리 농도 처리에서는 2령충 1.3마 리, 3령충 1.7마리, 4령충 1.8마리 였으나, 160마리 농도 처리에서 2령충 12.3마리, 3령충 21.1마리, 4령충 22.5마 리로 조사 되었다. 끝으로 표고버섯좀나방 유충 한 마리 당 침입한 선충의 증식수는 같은 령기에서는 선충의 접종 농도가 많아질수록 증식수가 증가하였다. 또한 표고버섯 좀나방의 령기에 따라 선충 증식수의 차이는 많았는데, 선충 감염태 유충 160마리 처리농도에서는 각각 표고버 섯좀나방 2령충이 6,335마리, 3령충이 21,660마리, 4령충 이 88,700마리로 조사되었다. 따라서 토착 곤충병원성 선 충 S. carpocapsae GSN1 계통은 표고버섯좀나방의 생물 적 방제를 위한 방제제로 활용할 가능성이 높음을 알 수 있었다.

Rhabditis blumi, isolated from Exomala orientalis, is a necromenic type of nematode that possesses several attributes of a potential biological control agent such as ease in culture conditions, high rates of reproduction and virulence, short life cycle and rapid multiplication etc. Pathogenicity of R. blumi was tested against 5 coleopteran species and 5 lepidopteran species. All insect larvae were susceptible to R. blumi, showing over 60% mortality except for Holotrichia kiotoensis and Ectinohoplia rufipes. The highest mortality was observed in Plutella xylostella (88%), followed by Artogeia rapae, Exomala orientalis, Spodoptera litura and Anomala rufocuprea (over 70%). Reproductive capacity of R. blumi differed from each insect species, ranging from 17 to 656 dauer juveniles/mg of insect larva. Dauer juvenile production was most in Plutella xylostella larvae, producing 656 dauer juveniles/mg of host body weight, followed by E. orientalis, H. kiotoensis, and A. rapae larvae (over 100 dauer juvenile per mg).

Pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is associated with the pine wilt disease and transmitted by pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus. Because pine sawyer has one-year life cycle, one natural infection of PWN is occurred a year. Therefore, artificial propagation method of PWN is needed to improve experiment associated with PWN. In this study, effect of diameter, paraffin sealing of twig and dosage on pine wood nematode reproduction in Japanese black pine, Pinus thunbergii. PWN reproduction was compared in twigs of P. thunbergii and P. densiflora. Numbers of reproduced PWN were higher with decreasing diameter of twig. Distance (5 and 10 cm) from inoculation site of PWN did not influence reproduction of PWN. Reproduced numbers of PWN were higher in the paraffin-sealing twig than non-sealing twig. Dosage of PWN influenced reproduction of PWN. Reproduction rate was the highest at the rate of 10 IJs (13.7 and 61.1-fold increasing in P. densiflora and P. thunbergii, respectively 30 days later) whereas lowest at the rate of 1000 Ijs (1.1 and 0.7-fold increasing in P. densiflora and P. thunbergii, respectively 30 days later). Numbers of reproduced PWN were more in P. thunbergii than P. densiflora.

Field research was undertaken for recovering mosquito larval mermithid parasite, Romanomermis species in rice fields in 54 different areas in period of May through October, 2009. Of 54 area rice fields surveyed, Romanomermis sp. recoveries were made from 4 areas. 32 Anopheles mosquito larvae, malaria disease vector were infected and died from samples collected in Pochon area, and a total of 10 Culex mosquito larvae, house frequenting mosquito were infected to death in 3 different areas, Gimpo, Sangju and Gurae, respectively. On the basis of positive natural infection record, an intensive host-parasite occurrences and/or population study was surveyed in foci area of Pochon in small pond (P) and Rice paddies (A and B) during 5 months till end of October. The natural mermithid infection was continuously occurred from June through October in weekly samples, however the rate of infection was appeared higher in June-July, thereafter the rate gradually decreased in progress of the season. The highest natural infection rate was observed from the Pond 9.1% followed by Rice paddy "A" 5.2%, Rice paddy "B" 2.4%, respectively. Including 2 other Rice paddies "C" and "D", a total mosquito larvae collected was 3,270, an overall average natural infection rate was recorded as 3.7% (121 Anopheles mosquito larvae infected).

Scutellonema. brevistyletum was collected at soil around the roots of oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa Makino) at Seongju, Gyeongbuk in Korea. Scutellonema brevistyletum resembles to S. sorghi in having large number of longitudinal lines (16-18 vs 16 in S. sorghi), but differs by the areolated at level of scutellum(not areolated in S. sorghi), shorter tail length(9.1-13.3㎛ vs 16.2-35.7㎛ in S. soghi) and not long intestinal overlap rectum. S. brevistyletum differs from S. unum in having shorter stylet (24.5-28㎛ vs 29-32㎛ in S. unum) and basal lip not having longitudinal striae.

The measurements of Ditylenchus acutus is similar to Fortuner & Maggenti’s 1987 D. acutus (Khan, 1965) except the body length was much longer (L=0.65-0.71 mm vs. L=0.39-0.50 mm) and body width was thinner (a=40-49.2 vs. a=22-28). In addition, Ditylenchus myceliophagus was recorded for the first time in Korea. Thus, both species were described in this paper.

Rotylenchus arsenjevi are reported for the first time in Korea. The Korean species differs slightly by having a hemispherical lip region and a slightly shorter tail than the original description (c=38.2-68.7 vs 36-41). Male was founded firstly from Korea and described. Geocenamus adakensis were collected a second time from Korea at a different locality and habitat. The measurements were compared with original description and the firstly collected specimen in Korea.

Effect of inoculation level on pathogenicity, development, and propagation of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema arenarium was investigated using the last instar of great wax moth, Galleria mellonella. Pathogenicity of S. arenarium was higher with increasing inoculation level representing 82% at the rate of 5 infective juveniles (IJs) while >98% at the rate of >10 IJs. The number of IJs penetrated into the host was 2.7, 5.0, 7.4, and 12.2 at the rate of 5, 10, 20, and 40 IJs, respectively while 24.3 at the rate of 80 IJs and 40.2 at the rate of 160 IJs. Inoculation level did not affect female adult size (4,616 to 6,444 ㎛) while affected male adult size (1,600 to 1,934 ㎛). The rate of stunted female adults was 70.2% at the inoculation level of 80 IJs and 63.7% at the inoculation level of 160 IJs. The number of progenies was 20,431, 26,696, 47,943, 50,516, 58,701, and 74,235 at the rate of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 IJs, respectively. The body lengths of IJs were different depending on inoculation level ranging from 636 to 1,496 ㎛.

Two new species of Tylenchorhynchus Cobb, 1913 from sugar cane fields in Sudan, T. sudanensis and T. elamini are described and illustrated. T. sudanensis is characterized by rather medium body size female, L= 0.692 ㎜ long with rather medium stylet length of 20 – 23 ㎛. While T. elamini is characterized by medium body size female, L = 0.61 – 0.78 ㎜ long, medium stylet length of 16 –19 ㎛. Different characters of two new species are discussed. In addition, vital measurements and brief descriptions of two species are presented.

Pine wood nematode(PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a causal organism to induce pine wilt disease in many varieties of pine trees. PWN is mainly distributed in the East Asia including Japan, China, and Korea, but it was originally imported from the North America of the West. Over 70 species of Bursaphelenchus have been reported, but they are morphologically similar to each other. In Korea, only two species of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, B. mucronatus (both Asian type and European type) have been reported however, a recent survey showed the distribution of extra species of Bursaphelenchus in dead trees. Three isolates, BSPD-1, BSPD-2, and BSPL-1, were identified as Bursaphelenchus thilandae, B. hylobianum, and B. doui, respectively, which was determined by both morphological and molecular biological characteristics. Both BSPD-1 and BSPD-2 were originally collected from Pinus densiflora in Namyangju and BSPL-1 came from Liriodendron tulipifera in Wanju. The morphology of each species were compared from the original descriptions focusing on male spicule and female tail and reproductive organ. A molecular diagnosis method, ITS-RFLP was applied to confirm morphological identification. Genomic DNA was extracted from a single individual nematode and ITS DNA was amplified by PCR. Amplified ITS was digested by 5 different restriction enzymes (Rsa I, Hae III, Msp I, Hinf I, and Alu I) and provided a discriminatory profile for different species of Bursaphelenchus. The three species, B. thilandae, B. hylobianum, and B. doui, are all unrecorded species in Korea.