DESCRIPTION OF HEMICYCLIOPHORA-BIOSPHAERA N. SP. FROM ARIZONA (NEMATA, CRICONEMATIDAE)

Hemicycliophora biosphaera n. sp. (Nemata: Criconematidae) was found i n soil from a fallow field plot within the Biosphere 2 Center, Oracle, Arizona. The nematode species is characterized by continuous and irre gular breaks in transverse striae in the lateral field, smooth annules , a rounded-truncate lip region with rounded anterior margins, three l ip annules, first labial annule elevated and widened laterally, dome-s haped and elevated labial disc, stylet length (76-97 mu m), VA%T value (30-59), 234-273 body annules, and tail with a terminus offset, cylin drical to slightly conoid digit. Hemicycliophora biosphaera n. sp. mos t closely resembles H. armandae but differs from it in body width (30- 39 vs. 38-54 mu m), styler length (76-97 vs. 95-119 mu m), greater num ber of annules between the excretory pore and esophagus base (4-16 vs. 2), length of the rail terminal spike (16-28 vs. 32 mu m), lower Rvan value (9-15 vs. 16), and indistinct spermatheca vs. distinct spermath eca.