OnRhabditis curvicaudata(Schneider) andR. paraciliatan. sp.

Abstract

Schneider (1866), under the nameLeptodera curvicaudata, described and figured certain nematodes obtained from moist soil and decaying matter. The species was removed to the genusRhabditisby Oerley (1886) and the name becameR. curvicaudata(Schneider, 1866) Oerley, 1886. Apart from the original description there appears to be no further record of the species in the literature dealing with this genus of free-living nematodes. The discovery of adult worms which agree well with Schneider's account provides an opportunity for redescribing the species and for giving some account of its very interesting association with flies belonging to the genusPsychoda. The writer is indebted for the material to Mr. G. H. Satchell who is investigating sewage purification problems at the University of Leeds (under a grant made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and discovered the association between the larvae of the worms andPsychodaflies concerning which further particulars are given later on.