PLESIOUNGELLA KATHLEENAE GEN. N. ET SP. N. (NEMATODA, DRILONEMATOIDEA) FROM THE AUSTRALIAN ENDEMIC MEGASCOLECID EARTHWORM FLETCHERODRILUS-UNICUS (FLETCHER, 1889)

Plesioungella kathleenae gen. n. et sp. n. is described from the coelo m of the earthworm Fletcherodrilus unicus (Fletcher, 1889), collected in New South Wales. It represents the first nematode of the superfamil y Drilonematoidea described from Australia. P. kathleenae gen. n. et s p. n. is characterised by the presence of two thin hooks on the anteri or body end, large circular suckers on the tail, and small spines on t he eggshell. The male of P. kathleenae gen. n. et sp. n. differs from all other ungellids by the two rows of subventral papillae on the tail and the unusual spicula with ventro-lateral pieces. Juveniles and a s ingle female of an undescribed thelastomatid nematode were also found in the same earthworm host.