urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 8E1879A0-8BBA-4564-AAC8-E6BF123EDF0E
Bendiella thalassa gen. et sp. nov.
Cuticle with lateral differentiation in the form of longitudinal rows of larger punctations. Outer labial sensillae and cephalic setae in one circle; cephalic setae slightly longer than outer labial sensillae. Buccal cavity large; anterior portion of buccal cavity cylindrical to funnel-shaped, with twelve cuticularised rhabdions, each with pointed projections at posterior extremity. Posterior buccal cavity narrower, cylindrical, surrounded by three Y-shaped pairs of slender rhabdions. Pre-cloacal supplements absent. Tail long.
The genus is named after Bendis, the Thracian goddess of the hunt.
Bendiella gen. nov. is most similar to Halichoanolaimus in the shape and arrangement of the head sensillae, structure of the buccal cavity, and in having a relatively long tail. Bendiella gen. nov. differs from the latter, and from all other genera of the family Selachinematidae, in having a cuticle with lateral differentiation consisting of longitudinal rows of larger dots, and from all other genera of the Choniolaiminae (except the species Gammanema anthostoma Okhlopkov, 2002) in lacking pre-cloacal supplements.