Morphological Ambiguity between <i>Chambersiella</i> Cobb, 1920, and <i>Geraldius Sanwal</i>, 1971: A Taxonomic Dilemma Solved through a Note from N. A. Cobb

Abstract

The genera Chambersiella and Geraldius (Nematoda) are nearly morphologically identical, differing primarily in female ovary number: Chambersiella was described as monodelphic, while Geraldius was diagnosed as didelphic. This note reevaluates the validity of that distinction, incorporating original descriptions and a previously overlooked archival note from N. A. Cobb. Field observations failed to recover monodelphic specimens, even in type localities. We propose synonymizing Geraldius with Chambersiella, supported by Cobb's archived observations and consistent morphological evidence.