Description of Mesocriconema ericaceum n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae) and notes on other nematode species discovered in an ericaceous heath bald community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

Researchers have identified a new species of nematode, Mesocriconema ericaceum, within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This discovery was made through DNA barcoding and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed distinct morphological and genetic traits distinguishing it from related species like M. xenoplax. The study also documented three additional nematode species—Ogma seymouri, Criconema loofi, and Criconema cf. acriculum—each with unique geographic distributions, suggesting potential biogeographic connections across coastal and boggy ecosystems. These findings contribute to the understanding of terrestrial soil nematode diversity and distribution patterns.

Powers, T. O., Mullin, P., Higgins, R., Harris, T., & Powers, K. S. (2016). Description of Mesocriconema ericaceum n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae) and notes on other nematode species discovered in an ericaceous heath bald community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Nematology, 18(8), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685411-00003001