Boleodorus Thorne, 1941

The nematode genus Boleodorus Thorne, 1941 belongs to the extensive family Tylenchidae Örley, 1880, and includes at present about 30 nominal species (Geraert, 2008). All species are rather small in size (< 0.7 mm), have a ventrally curved body, oocytes in several rows and small refractive sperm in an offset spermatheca.

The non annulated head is tapering and not off set from the body, the amphidial opening is an oblique slit positioned on the lateral sides of the head. The stylet is thin and delicate with small knobs and Lateral field with 4 to 6 lines. The Pharynx includes a weakly developed median bulb. Females have a posterior vulva position and an elongated, conical curved tail. Although Tylenchidae members are often described as algal, lichen, moss and root surface feeders, the feeding type of Boleodorus members is unknown. In the Netherlands two species are known so far: B. thylactus Thorne, 1941 and B. volutus Lima & Siddiqi, 1963, the first species can be found particulary on heavy soils, the other on light and organic soils.