A new free-living marine nematode, Polkepsilonema arabicensis sp. n. (Desmodorida: Epsilonematidae), from Lakshadweep, India

Polkepsilonema arabicensis sp. n. is discovered from the coralline sand of Lakshadweep island, located off the south-western coast of India. The species differs from other congeners by its unique combination of characters: presence of fine spines along the body curvatures, 5-6 rows of bisinuous ambulatory setae, male with two clusters of ventral copulatory thorns and 14 subcephalic sensilla. The novel species is the fourth discovery of the genus and first record from the coastal areas of Indian subcontinent. A key to species level is provided.