Two new and one known free-living marine nematode species of the family Axonolaimidae from coastal wetlands in western Taiwan

Free-living marine nematodes, two new and one known, belonging to the genera Parodontophora and Axonolaimus are described from the coastal wetlands of western Taiwan Island. Parodontophora jinmendaoica sp. nov. is identified by having an amphid 3-4 times the length of the buccal cavity, with precloacal supplements present and a distinct pointed terminal end without terminal setae on the tail. Parodontophora micros sp. nov. is characterized by having an amphid 1.0-1.5 times the length of the buccal cavity, with precloacal supplements present and a distinct pointed terminal end without terminal setae on the tail. In addition, we found Axonolaimus arcuatus (Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1950). This species is identical to that reported by Schuurmans Stekhoven, Gerlach and Boucher. This species is characterized by a double conical mouth, 4 head setae, a horseshoe-shaped amphid (dorsal and ventral amphid almost equal in length and parallel), an L-shaped spicule and an apophysis of gubernaculum. Comparison of characteristics of Axonolaimus arcuatus from different reports and differentiating characteristics of all known male Parodontophora species are given. Types are deposited in the College of Fisheries, Jimei University.