Austrostrongylus species

Durette-Desset, M. C. & Beveridge, I., 2012, Redescriptions and descriptions of new species of Austrostrongylus Chandler, 1924 (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina), from Australian marsupials with a comparative study of features of the synlophe, Zootaxa 3512, pp. 1-41 : 40

Key to males of Austrostrongylus species based on spicules

1. Spicules with prominent alae on lamina bearing numerous, complex transverse striations, broadest distally ( Fig. 7F).... 2

1’. Spicules simple, without prominent, striated alae on lamina.................................................. 3

2 (1). Spicules 550–610 µm long; ala extends to spicule tip ( Fig. 7H)................................... .. A. macropodis

2’ (1). Spicules 200–250 µm long; ala terminates anterior to spicule tip...................................... A. bancrofti

3 (1’) Spicules prominently recurved at distal tips...................................................... A. notoryctis

3’ (1’) Spicules not recurved at distal tips..................................................................... 4

4 (3’). Spicule tip enlarged ( Figs. 1F, G, 4D).................................................................... 5

4’ (3’) Spicule tip blunt or pointed, not enlarged……………………….…….………….................................. 6

5 (4). Spicules 646–967 µm long, needle-like ( Fig. 1E)................................................ A. aggregatus

5’ (4). Spicules 421–474 µm long, robust ( Fig. 4E)..................................................... A. chandleri

6 (4’). Spicules long, needle-like ( Fig. 19E).................................................................... 7

6’ (4’). Spicules robust ( Fig. 13E)............................................................................. 8

7 (6). Spicule tips sharp ( Fig. 19F).................................................................. A. wallabiae

7’ (6). Spicule tips blunt ( Fig. 10G, H).............................................................. A. mawsonae

8 (6’). Spicules with characteristic distal sinuosity ( Fig.13F)....................................................... 9

8’ (6’). Spicules without characteristic distal sinuosity........................................................... 10

9 (8). Spicules bifid at tips in dorso-ventral view....................................................... A .. smalesae

9’ (8). Spicules entire at tips.................................................................. A. incurvispiculum

10 (8’). Spicule tips sharp........................................................................ A. victoriensis

10’ (8’). Spicule tips blunt........................................................................... A. thylogale