FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF THE HEAD IN THE NEMATODE FAMILY SUBULURIDAE: WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES

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Abstract
A new species of the genus Subulura is described from the (?) caecum of Rhabdomys pumilio (type host) and Rattus (Praomys) namaquensis at Cape Province, Union of South Africa. The species is charcterized by the presence of six lip‐lobes and by equal spicules with barbs on their posterior ends. The structure of the head in the family Subuluridae is analyzed and it is argued that lobed mouth openings have appeared, separately, four times and that the development of the lobes has been to improve the efficiency of the mouth as a gripping organ. It is suggested that, associated with the appearance of a more“ open” mouth the pharyngeal portions have been modified as triturating organs. It is pointed out that this hypothesis is opposed to the interpretation of the structure of the head, in the family Subuluridae, put forward by Chitwood and Chitwood. Subulura indica Khera, 1956 is considered a synonym of Tarsubulura perarmata (Ratzel, 1868) and Subulura vulpis Khera 1956 a synonym of Oxynema alata (Mazhar, 1933). Subulura armata Vuylsteke, 1957 is referred to the genus Allodapa. The subfamily Leipoaneminae Chabaud, 1957 is accepted for the genus Leipoanema Johnston and Mawson. 1942.

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