Practinocephalus brzeskii sp. nov. (Nematoda: Actinolaimidae) from Ecuador, with taxonomic notes on the genus

The new species Practinocephalus brzeskii from Ecuador is described and illustrated. It is characterised by a medium length body, transversely striated cuticle with 30-34 longitudinal cuticular ridges, lip region conspicuous, set off by a depression but only slightly expanded, inner labial and cephalic papillae in the same circle external to the sclerotized anterior ring, odontostyle 30-34 μm long, onchia multi-pointed, cheilostomal sclerotizations heavy and complex, muscular part of pharynx starting at level of nerve ring, female reproductive apparatus didelphic, vulva longitudinal, vagina with sclerotized pieces, female tail elongate conoid to filiform. Males are also described and illustrated for the first time in the genus; they are characterised by a convex conoid tail with a filiform appendix, shorter than female tail and variable in length. A new diagnosis of the genus Practinocephalus and a key to its species are given.