Genus Algoanema Heyns & Furstenberg, 1987

The genus Algoanema was described by Heyns & Furstenberg (1987) with A. aestuariense, found in South Africa. According to Heyns & Furstenberg (1987) Algoanema is close to Ptycholaimellus and Spilophorella in the structure of buccal cavity (with S-shaped dorsal tooth), pharynx and absence of precloacal supplements, but differs from them in not presenting lateral differentiation of the cuticle. There is no mention of Algoanema in the recent review of Tchesunov (2014) and we did not find any other reference or discussion about the status of Algoanema apart from the original description. In our opinion the structure of buccal cavity with the strong S-shaped dorsal tooth is a very remarkable character of Ptycholaimellus and Spilophorella and the difference in the cuticle is not sufficient to separate Algoanema from these genera. Algoanema is probably a junior synonym of either Ptycholaimellus or Spilophorella but until further studies and examination of the type species we prefer to consider it as a dubious genus.

Genus Algoanema Heyns & Furstenberg, 1987

1. Algoanema aestuariense Heyns & Furstenberg, 1987 (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)