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During a nematological survey in southern Iran, a population belonging to the family Tylenchidae was recovered from a tomato field in Bushehr province. The recovered population belongs to the genus Filenchus, was described and illustrated herein as F. multistriatus n. sp. It is mainly characterized by having a wide and low annulated lip region continuous with adjacent body; amphidial openings confined to the labial plate; four lines in lateral fields forming three bands, with the two outer bands broken by transverse, and the inner one broken by both transverse and longitudinal lines; and median bulb oval with visible valve and elongate-conoid tail uniformly and gradually narrowing toward the distal region, ending in a widely rounded tip. Its morphological and morphometric differences with three closely similar species were discussed. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant genera and species were reconstructed using partial sequences of small, and large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU rDNA) sequences. Morphometric and morphological data were also provided for an Iranian population of F. sandneri recovered from Bushehr province. Both populations were characterised using SEM data.

A new species from the family Tylenchidae was recovered in the grasslands of Isfahan province, Iran, and is herein described based on morphological and molecular data. Ottolenchus isfahanicus n. sp. is mainly characterized by having a faintly annulated cuticle; elongated, slightly sigmoid amphidial apertures developed metacorpus with distinct valve under LM; vulva located at 69.472.3% of body length; large spermatheca about 2.75 times of corresponding body width; and elongated conoid tail with broadly rounded tip. SEM observations showed that the lip region is smooth; the amphidial apertures are elongated, slightly sigmoid slits; and the lateral field is a simple band. It is further characterized by 477-to-515-μm-long females with delicate 5.7-to-6.9-μm-long stylets with small, slightly posteriorly sloping knobs, as well as functional males, in the population. The new species closely resembles O. facultativus, but is separated from it based on morphological and molecular data. It was further morphologically compared with O. discrepans, O. fungivorus, and O. sinipersici. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant genera and species were reconstructed using near-full-length sequences of small subunit and D2-D3 expansion segments of large subunit (SSU and LSU D2-D3). In the inferred SSU phylogeny, the newly generated sequence of Ottolenchus isfahanicus n. sp. formed a clade with two sequences of O. sinipersici and sequences assigned to O. facultativus and O. fungivorus. In the inferred LSU phylogeny, the three newly generated sequences of the new species and LSU sequences of O. sinipersici and O. discrepans formed a clade.

Summary: The present study describes two new Ditylenchus species, isolated from the growing medium of Rhododendron simsii imported from Japan, at the Ningbo plant quarantine laboratory, Ningbo, P.R. China. Ditylenchus parvicauda n. sp. is an amphimictic species. Females have six incisures in the lateral fields, a medium length slim body, a short delicate stylet with asymmetrical stylet knobs, the secretory-excretory (S-E) pore located posterior to the isthmus and in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 80.9-83.0), post-uterine sac (PUS) tube-like, and the tail cylindrical, tapering gradually towards finely rounded terminus. Males are similar to females in general morphology and have 10.1-14.9 μ m long spicules. The second new species, D. gracicauda n. sp. is characterised by having a long and slender body, the presence of a vulval flap, four lines in the lateral field, a narrow and low lip region not offset, the S-E pore located posterior to the isthmus but not in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 71.1-76.2), a short post-vulval uterine sac short (4.5-9.2 μ m), and the tail slender, tapering gradually towards finely rounded to wedge-shaped terminus. The two new species were also characterised molecularly using 18S, ITS and the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA genes. Our phylogenetic analyses showed their independent place among available Ditylenchus species. Several Ditylenchus species are regulated pests, and the introduction of these species into a new environment may result in diseases among native plants or vegetation in the area. Therefore, careful attention must be directed towards newly discovered species, particularly those under quarantine observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematode family Aphelenchoididiae is considered fungal-feeding, predatory, or root hair feeders. Some members of this family are universally present in agricultural landscapes and are an integral part of soil health and conservation studies. In the present soil nematode biodiversity survey, we detected four species of the genera Aphelenchus, Aphelenchoides, and Robustodorus. Because fungal-feeding nematodes from southern Alberta have not previously been reported, we conducted a detailed morphological and molecular investigation, identifying these species as Aphelenchus avenae, Aphelenchoides limberi, Aphelenchoides prairiensis n. sp. and Robustodorus paramegadorus n. sp. The first two species we document as new records from southern Alberta, whereas A. prairiensis n. sp. and R. paramegadorus n. sp. we describe in detail as new taxa. Briefly, A. prairiensis n. sp. is an amphimictic species having 4 lateral lines; hemispherical anteriorly flattened lip region; delicate stylet and swelling-like stylet knobs; excretory pore at the posterior edge of nerve ring. Female tail conical, gradually tapering towards a truncated end with single mucro. Spicule 23.0 (20.0–25.0) µm long having elongated rounded condylus, small, blunt conical rostrum, and lamina that gradually tapers towards the rounded distal end; three pairs of caudal papillae were present on the male tail. Robustodorus paramegadorus n. sp., is a parthenogenetic species with 3 lines in the lateral fields; lip region rounded, anteriorly flattened; stylet robust, with knobs rounded to bean-shaped; excretory pore located posterior to nerve ring; reproductive components were quite indiscernible with a short 24.0 (18.0–27.0) µm post-vulval uterine sac; tail conical, ending with pointed to wedge-shaped tip. We performed molecular characterizations for each species and constructed phylogenetic trees to study the phylogenetic relationship of these aphelenchid species. The discovery of A. prairiensis n. sp. and R. paramegadorus n. sp. indicates that soil nematode diversity is relatively unexplored in southern Alberta. The findings of this study will significantly enhance the identification processes and may contribute towards future soil health and biodiversity efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study describes a new Ditylenchus species, isolated from the bulbs of the Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus L.) imported from Israel at the Ningbo plant quarantine lab, Ningbo, P.R. China. Ditylenchus israelensis n. sp. is an amphimictic species; females have six incisures in the lateral field, a long and slim body, a delicate, short stylet (7-8 μ m) with small and rounded knobs, excretory pore in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, posteriorly located vulva (V = 78.6-83.1), a short PUS (15.0-24.0 μ m), and a long conical tail with a pointed terminus. Males are similar to females in general morphology and have 14.0-18.0 μ m long spicules. The new species was also characterised molecularly using 18S, ITS and D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA genes. Our phylogenetic analyses showed its independent position among available Ditylenchus species and a close phylogenetic affinity with D. valveus. Several Ditylenchus species are regulated pests; their detection in a given sample can implement quarantine measures. However, to our knowledge D. israelensis n. sp. did not cause any damage to the R. asiaticus bulbs. In addition, future studies regarding fecundity and host association may shed some light on the pathogenic potential of D. israelensis n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The study aims to provide the morphological and molecular characterisation of two newly discovered Cryptaphelenchus species, namely: C. curvatum n. sp. and C. tumidus n. sp. Morphologically both species are minute nematodes, possess medium-sized stylets with basal knobs laterally directed, and short post-uterine sacs (PUS). Cryptaphelenchus curvatum n. sp. was detected from the local Pinus branch samples and is characterised by having an equal proportion of adult males and females, medium-sized body lengths of females 353 (320-388) μ m and males 277 (256-293) μ m, lateral fields with four lateral lines, 8-10 μ m long stylet, PUS about one vulva body width long and conical posterior body end with a blunt pointed tip. Cryptaphelenchus tumidus n. sp. was detected in a packaging wood sample from Japan and is characterised by having rare male, short body lengths of females 236 (217-270) μ m and males 180 μ m, obscure lateral fields, stylet 6.8 (6.0-7.5) μ m, PUS about half vulva body width long and a slim conical posterior body end with a finely rounded tip. The phylogenetic trees were also constructed based on rRNA gene sequences (D2-D3 segments of the 28S, ITS and 18S) and discussed in detail. Since Cryptaphelenchus species offer multitrophic relationships among their insect vectors and associated microbiota, species recognition and molecular studies of recovered populations will facilitate researchers to determine whether these species might play any ecological roles in insect bionomics or the residing host tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hemicycliophora species are migratory root ectoparasites of higher plants, commonly known as sheath nematodes. The present study describes a new species, Hemicycliophora geraerti n. sp., recovered from the rhizosphere of peach tree (Prunus persica) in Zhejiang Province, China. This species is characterised by a cuticular sheath loosely fitting to the body, a lip region slightly set-off with body contour bearing 3-4 annuli, oral plate narrow, ovate, and non-protruding, amphidial apertures plugged, dorsoventrally flanked in the first lip annulus, stylet 110 (103-116) μ m long and flexible, excretory pore located 4-7 annuli posterior to the base of the pharyngeal bulb; vulval lips modified with a small vulval sleeve, anus located 16 (13-21) annuli posterior to vulva, tail elongated, having a narrowly rounded slightly offset spike. The molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analyses based on D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, and COI mtDNA gene indicated the unique status and support the novelty of this population of Hemicycliophora , therefore herein described as H. geraerti n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Criconemoides neoinformis n. sp., a cryptic species of C. informis group, and C. persicus n. sp. were recovered from the rhizosphere of pear and grass, in Zanjan and West Azerbaijan provinces, northwestern Iran, respectively. Criconemoides neoinformis n. sp. is characterised by 522-585 μ m long females, having four separated pseudolips, anteriorly flattened lip region comprised of two annuli, 57-63 retrorse body annuli with smooth to slightly crenate margins, without anastomoses, 86.9-90.4 μ m long stylet, having 6-10 annuli from vulva to posterior end and tail conical rounded with two, three or multilobed terminus and presence of males. Criconemoides persicus n. sp. could be characterised by flatly rounded lip region, having fused rectangular pseudolips, 515-615 μ m body length, stylet 60-65 μ m, body annuli 120-132 with smooth to slightly crenate margins, without anastomoses, 9-12 annuli from vulva to posterior end and tail conical rounded with two trilobed terminus. In inferred phylogenies, these two new species clustered with known Criconemoides species in 18S, 28S, ITS and COI trees. These species are clearly separated molecularly by all the studied markers. The use of molecular markers, mainly D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA, ITS region and COI , are very promising in the case of cryptic species found in this group of nematodes. We provided molecular markers (two sequences per marker) for these new species with morphological/morphometrical data using an integrative taxonomy approach for the unequivocal identification of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paratylenchus species are obligate ectoparasitic nematodes on cultivated and wild herbaceous and woody plants occupying numerous soil categories. Several species may cause damage to several crops (viz. P. dianthus, P. enigmaticus, P. microdorus, P. hamatus and P. epacris on carnation, lettuce, rose and walnut, respectively). This investigation proves and emphasizes the relevance of applying integrative taxonomy for the accurate detection of Paratylenchus species in mountainous wild environments in the Malaga province, Southern Spain. This research analyzed 45 soil samples of maritimus pine and one of green heather in southern Spain and identified fourteen Paratylenchus species, two of them are described herein as new species (P. paraaonli sp. nov., P. plesiostraeleni sp. nov.), six of them were first reports for Spain (P. canchicus, P. nainianus, P. neonanus, P. salubris, Paratylenchus sp. 2 SAS, and P. wuae), and six species (P. caravaquenus, P. microdorus, P. nanus, P. neoamblycephalus, P. sheri, and P. variabilis) have been already reported in Spain. Accordingly, these data increase the biodiversity of pin nematodes in Spain comprising a total of 47 species (33.1% out of 142 total species of this genus). Phylogenetic analyses based on ribosomal and mitochondrial markers (D2-D3, ITS, and partial COI) resulted in a consistent position for the newly described Paratylenchus species in this study (P. plesiostraeleni sp. nov., P. paraaonli sp. nov.). Paratylenchus plesiostraeleni sp. nov. grouped in a separated subclade as unequivocal species from the P. straeleni-complex species (including P. straeleni and P. parastraeleni), and P. paraaonli sp. nov. clustered with P. vitecus, but clearly separate from this species. This study indicates that Paratylenchus species diversity in natural environments may be higher than expected, and this study may help in accurate identifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sigmolenchus n. gen., is proposed as a new member of the Tylenchidae. The new genus is proposed based upon light and scanning electron microscopic (LM and SEM) observations and phylogenetic analyses based upon small, large and internal transcribed spacer sequences of ribosomal DNA (SSU, LSU D2-D3, ITS rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI mtDNA) sequences. It is characterised partly by its slender body, but mainly by having a dorso-ventrally flattened, smooth and elevated cephalic region, unique elongate sinuous amphidial openings, each appearing as a wavy slit with three peaks, originating from the vicinity of the labial plate, extending posteriorly and reaching and passing the first body annulus, and a spacious amphidial fovea. It has an anteriorly rounded outline under LM, knobbed stylet, its conus comprising about one-third of the total length, lateral field with a single band, metacorpus with a distinct valve, vulva with small lateral flaps, and males common with tylenchoidiform spicules. The new genus is morphologically compared with seven tylenchid genera, viz., Chilenchus , Ecphyadophoroides , Filenchus , Labrys , Lelenchus , Sakia , and Tenunemellus , mainly by having small slender body and dorso-ventrally flat cephalic region, and is placed under the subfamily Ecphyadophorinae because of its slender body, elevated smooth cephalic region, long amphidial openings and spacious amphidial fovea. It was recovered from marine muddy sediments taken 2 m deep in mangrove forests off southern Iran. Currently S. sinuosus n. gen., n. sp. is monotypic. In SSU phylogeny, the new genus formed an unsupported sister relationship with Filenchus discrepans , and in LSU phylogeny it occupied a placement inside a major clade including several Tylenchinae genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheathoid nematodes of the genus Hemicriconemoides are migratory root-ectoparasites of many crops but damage is documented for only a few species. Hemicriconemoides paracamelliae sp. n., isolated in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, from the rhizosphere of Cinninghamia lanceolata, is described together with H. kanayaensis and H. parataiwanensis. These three species are characterised morphologically and molecularly with important morphological details elucidated by SEM photographs. The new species can be characterised by the en face view having a dorsoventrally orientated oral disc with slit-like opening, and the labial plate being composed of two lateral semi-globular shaped projections on the lateral sides of the oral disc. This new species has the first lip annulus expanded and slightly wider than the second, stylet 83 (80-85) µm long, excretory pore located 5-6 annuli posterior to the base of the pharyngeal bulb, vulva slit-like, vulval flaps absent, spermatheca rounded to oblong-shaped, and anus located 5-8 annuli posterior to vulva. The tail is elongated, conoid, with the terminal annuli curving dorsally or ventrally to form a finely rounded tip. The study provides the first record of H. kanayaensis from mainland China, a new host association of H. parataiwanensis, and molecular sequencing data of the 18S, 28S D2-D3 and ITS sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemicycliophora presently contains 132 valid species of sheath nematodes. Within several samples obtained from surveys in Canada, South Africa, Spain and the USA, we distinguished six valid and six putative unidentified species by integrating the results of morphological and molecular analyses. Valid species included: H. californica, H. gracilis, H. parvana, H. poranga, H. raskii, and H. signata. The putative unidentified species were indicated as Hemicycliophora sp. 10, sp. 12, sp. 15, sp. 16, sp. 17, and sp. 18. Two new species of sheath nematodes from Spain and the USA were described and named as H. onubensis sp. n. and H. robbinsi sp. n., respectively. Hemicycliophora wyei is proposed as a junior synonym of H. parvana and H. ripa is proposed as a junior synonym of H. poranga. Eighteen valid and 13 unidentified species of sheath nematodes were characterised using the partial COI mtDNA gene. A total of 94 new sequences of which 77 were for the COI mtDNA gene were obtained in this study. Phylogenetic relationships within Hemicycliophora, using the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA, ITS rRNA and COI gene sequences, are presented as inferred from Bayesian analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new dagger nematode, Xiphinema poasense n. sp., is described and illustrated from three populations extracted from soil associated with a combined plantation of Eucalyptus sp., Cupressus sp. and Pennisetum sp. and wild plants from a tropical premontane forest in Costa Rica. The new dagger nematode is characterised by a moderate body size 2612 (2416-3042) µm long, a rounded lip region 15.0 (13.5-16.5) µm broad, separated from the body contour by a shallow depression, amphidial fovea large, stirrupshaped, a very long odontostyle (175 (164-188) µm), stylet guiding ring located 167 (136-181) µm from anterior end, vulva situated anterior to mid-body (36-40%), anterior genital branch complete but strongly reduced, without uterine differentiation, female tail short, hemispherical to convex-conoid with a c' ratio = 0.7 (0.6-0.8) and bearing two pairs of caudal pores, and male absent. Integrative diagnosis was completed with molecular data using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA, ITS1 region, partial 18S-rRNA and the partial mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxI). The phylogenetic relationships based on D2-D3 segments of this species with other Xiphinema spp. of the X. non-americanum group indicated that X. poasense n. sp. clustered with other species with a reduced anterior genital branch from the morphospecies Group 2, viz., X. costaricense and X. krugi. However, the phylogeny of coxI and partial 18S rRNA gene revealed that the new species did not cluster with Xiphinema species having the anterior genital branch absent or reduced (i.e., morphospecies Groups 1 and 2, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radopholoides japonicus n. sp. isolated from rhizospheric soil samples associated with Podocarpus macrophyllus imported from Japan into Ningbo Port of China is described and illustrated. It is characterised by four lateral lines, lip region low, convex with three annuli. Stylet 16.5-18.5 µm long with anteriorly sloping rounded knobs. Excretory pore at the level of pharyngo-intestinal junction. Vulva posteriorly located, vulval lips not protruding, spermatheca squarish. Post-vulval uterine sac 35-44 µm long. Tail conoid with broadly rounded terminus, phasmid 6-8 annuli posterior to anus. Among five species of genus Radopholoides, the new species is close to R. antoni but can be differentiated from it by lip and tail morphology. This is the first Radopholoides species that provided detailed morphological and molecular characterisation. Maximum Likelihood analysis using the Shimodaira-Hasegawa test for the validity of Radopholoides was performed and showed the validity of the genus using the partial 18S and D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Ditylenchus, D. persicus n. sp., was collected around the roots of grapevine and is described and illustrated herein based on morphological and molecular studies. The new species is characterised by a body length of 783 (635-928) µm and 689 (670-715) µm in female and male, respectively, delicate stylet 6.2 (5.0-7.0) µm long, six lines in the lateral field, median bulb of pharynx well developed, muscular with crescentic valve, basal pharyngeal bulb pyriform with 10 (8-13) µm long stem extending into intestine, post-vulval uterine sac relatively short, 16 (14-18) µm long, female and male tail elongate-conoid with finely rounded terminus, and bursa covering 65-80% of male tail length. Morphologically, D. persicus n. sp. appears closer to five known species of the genus, namely: D. arachis, D. caudatus, D. clarus, D. myceliophagus and D. nanus. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of 28S rRNA, ITS and partial 18S rRNA genes confirmed the close molecular relationship between D. persicus n. sp. and other Ditylenchus species such as D. myceliophagus, D. africanus, D. arachis, D. destructor and D. halictus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphelenchoides iranicus n. sp. is described and illustrated from bark samples of an oak tree (Quercus sp.) in West Azerbaijan province, north-western Iran. The new species is characterised by body length of 350 (330-383) µm in females and 343 (323-370) µm in males, lip region set off from body contour, lateral fields with three lines, stylet 8 (7-9) µm long with small basal swellings, excretory pore 59 (56-62) µm from anterior end, hemizonid invisible, pharyngeal glands overlapping intestine dorsally and extending for 48 (41-54) µm, female tail subcylindrical with many tiny finger-like appendages at the tip, and male with aphelenchoid type spicules 17.6 (17-18) µm long. The new species comes close to nine known species of the genus namely: A. brevicaudatus, A. cibolensis, A. conirnucronatus, A. editocaputis, A. montanus, A. pusillus, A. rarus, A. sphaerocephalus and A. vaughani, but differs from them by the number of incisures in the lateral field, shape of tail mucron, stylet length, size of spicules and length of post-vulval uterine sac. Additionally, this species is characterised molecularly and phylogenetically by sequences of the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S and partial 18S rRNA genes that are unique in relation to the sequences deposited in GenBank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reniform nematodes of the genus Rotylenchulus are semi-endoparasites of numerous herbaceous and woody plant roots and are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of six out of ten presently known valid species of Rotylenchulus: R. clavicaudatus, R. leptus, R. macrodoratus, R. macrosoma, R. renifonnis and R. sacchari from South Africa, USA, Italy and Spain. Rotylenchulus parvus was only studied morphologically. A new species, R. macrosomoides sp. n., isolated from soil and roots of sugarcane in South Africa, is described. The phylogeny of Rotylenchulus, as inferred from the analyses of D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, coxI mtDNA and hsp90 gene sequences, is presented. The study revealed that R. reniformis and R. macrosoma have a sister relationship, but that relationships between other Rotylenchulus species remain unresolved. The phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the hypothesis that this genus originated from the Afrotropical zoogeographical region. Our study revealed that R. reniformis and R. macrosomoides sp. n. have two distinct rRNA gene types and R. macrosoma have three rRNA gene types in their genomes. PCR with species-specific primers was developed for rapid diagnostics of R. reniformis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Nothotylenchus, N. persicus n. sp. was collected around the roots of grapevine and is described and illustrated herein based on morphological and molecular studies. The new species is characterised by a body length of 776-900 (im, delicate stylet 5-6 pm long, six lines in the lateral field, post-vulval uterine sac short, 10-18 pm long, female tail elongate-conoid with pointed terminus, and bursa covering 40-45% of tail length. Morphologically, N. persicus n. sp. appears closer to four known species of the genus, namely: N. hexaglyphus, N. affinis, N. medians and N. taylori. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of 28S rRNA gene confirmed the close molecular relationship between N. persicus n. sp. and other anguinids, but Nothotylenchus claded separately from Ditylenchus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Nothotylenchus, N. persicus n. sp. was collected around the roots of grapevine and is described and illustrated herein based on morphological and molecular studies. The new species is characterised by a body length of 776-900 μm, delicate stylet 5-6 μm long, six lines in the lateral field, post-vulval uterine sac short, 10-18 μm long, female tail elongate-conoid with pointed terminus, and bursa covering 40-45% of tail length. Morphologically, N. persicus n. sp. appears closer to four known species of the genus, namely: N. hexaglyphus, N. affinis, N. medians and N. taylori. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of 28S rRNA gene confirmed the close molecular relationship between N. persicus n. sp. and other anguinids, but Nothotylenchus claded separately from Ditylenchus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiphinema herakliense n. sp. from wild olive and cultivated trees in Vathy Rema and other localities, Heraklion province of Crete, Greece, is described based on morphological and molecular characters. The new species is characterised by having differentiation in the tubular part of the uterus, body length 4.1 (3.3-5.5) mm, odontostyle 149 (135-163) pm long, odontophore 85 (71-98) pm long, female tail dorsally convex-conoid with subdigitate peg, and presence of functional males. The polytomous identification code of the new species is: A4, B2 + 3, C5a, D6(5), E5, F4(5), G3, H2, I3, J5, K5, L2. The new species belongs to morphospecies Xiphinema nonamericanum Group 5 characterised by having two equally developed female genital branches with uterine differentiation, presence of pseudo-Z-organ with small granular bodies plus small spines (in low number) and crystalloid bodies along uterus, and a short, rounded tail ending in a peg. Xiphinema herakliense n. sp. appears closely related to X. barense, X. horvatovicae, X. lanceolatum, X. loteni, X. sphaerocephalum and X. thorneanum, from which it may be differentiated morphologically and/or molecularly. The results of the phylogenetic analyses based on the sequences of the D2-D3 expansion regions of the 28S rRNA gene and ITS1 rRNA genes are also supportive of its specific status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotylenchus arasbaranensis n. sp., a new monosexual species is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular studies. The new species is characterised by having an offset and hemispherical lip region with 5-6 annuli, 32-36 μm long stylet, vulva located at 43.9-59.2% with a single epiptygma and rounded tail, rarely bilobed, with 6-8 annuli. The species R. striaticeps and the male of R. buxophilus are reported for the first time from Iran and R. fragaricus is reported and studied for the second time after its original description. The results of the phylogenetic analyses based on the sequences of the D2-D3 expansion region of the 28S, ITSl-rRNA and the partial 18S rRNA genes were provided for the studied species, confirming their differences from each other and determining the position of them and their relationships with closely related taxa. Also, the validity of Plesiorotylenchus is discussed on the basis of molecular data and its synonymisation (with only one sequence) with Rotylenchus is accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The nematode Rotylenchus paravitis n. sp. infesting roots of commercial sunflowers in southern Spain is described. The new species is characterised by a truncate lip region with 7–9 annuli and continuous with the body contour, lateral fields areolated at pharyngeal region only, body without longitudinal striations, stylet length of 44–50μm, vulva position at 43–54%, tail rounded to hemispherical with 12–18 annuli. A comparative phenetic study based on a multivariate principal component analysis was developed to determine potential species discrimination. The degree of variation for most characters among specimens of Rotylenchus paravitis n. sp. and R. vitis was comparable to that observed among specimens belonging to each of the two studied populations of R. robustus from Spain and USA. Molecular comparison of the partial 18S, D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S-rRNA, ITS1-rRNA, partial COI and hsp90 from R. paravitis n. sp. and R. vitis, and other species in the genus, clearly supports the proposal of R. paravitis n. sp. as a new species. Consequently, R. paravitis n. sp. should be considered as an example of cryptic speciation within the genus Rotylenchus. PCR-ITS-RFLP was provided for diagnostics of R. paravitis n. sp. and PCR with specific primers were also developed for diagnostics of this new species, R. vitis and R. robustus. The results of the phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the D2-D3 expansion regions of the 28S, ITS1-rRNA genes, and the partial COI, have proven to be a powerful tool for providing accurate species identification and assessing phylogenetic relationships within the genus Rotylenchus. Phylogenetic testing of D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S-rRNA gene sequences did not refute the monophyly of the genera Rotylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus, based on tree topologies and the Shimodaira–Hasegawa test even with the split in several clades for some of the genera. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Paralongidorus plesioepimikis n. sp. is described and illustrated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and molecular studies from specimens collected in a sandy soil in the rhizosphere of stone pine (Pinus pinea) in Bonares (Huelva Province), southern Spain. The new species is characterised by a very long body (9.71 -14.11 mm), an expanded and rounded lip region, with a clear constriction followed by a depression posterior to the amphidial aperture, a very long and flexible odontostyle (202-227 pm), guiding ring located at 36.5-44.0 pm from anterior end, dorsal pharyngeal gland nucleus in anterior part of bulb, one subventral pair of nuclei near middle of bulb, vulva at 33-38%, and a dorsally convex tail with rounded terminus (32-39 pm long). SEM observations showed a very large amphidial fovea with conspicuous aperture ca three-fourths as wide as lip region and cephalic papillae appearing as small apertures, each located just anterior to a distinct cephalic lobe. The sequences of the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA, partial 18S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene for P. plesioepimikis n. sp. were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses of P. plesioepimikis n. sp. rRNA gene sequences and of Paralongidorus spp. and Longidorus spp. sequences published in GenBank were done using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference. Paralongidorus species (including P. plesioepimikis n. sp.) clustered together, except for P. bikanerensis which clustered within Longidorus spp. and was clearly separated from all other Paralongidorus spp. in trees generated from the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S and partial 18S data set. ML analysis using SH-test for the validity of Paralongidorus was performed and showed the validity of the genus using the D2-D3 expansion segment of 28S and partial 18S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paralongidorus iranicus n. sp., a new bisexual species of the genus, is described and illustrated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and molecular studies from specimens collected in the rhizosphere of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) from the Caspian (Khazar) seashore, Nour, northern Iran. Paralongidorus iranicus n. sp. is characterised by the large body size (7.8-11.4 mm), a rounded lip region, clearly set off by a collar-like constriction at level of, or slightly posterior to, the amphidial aperture, and bearing a very large, stirrup-shaped, amphidial fovea, with conspicuous slit-like aperture, a very long and flexible odontostyle ca 170 μm long, guiding ring located at 34 μm from anterior end and males with spicules ca 80 μm long. In addition, data from an Iranian population of P. bikanerensis recovered from the rhizosphere of palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Bam, Kerman province, south-eastern Iran, agree very well and are very close to the original description of the species from India. The D2 and D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA gene, ITS1, and 18S rRNA sequences were obtained for P. iranicus n. sp. and P. bikanerensis. Phylogenetic analyses of P. iranicus n. sp. and P. bikanerensis rRNA gene sequences and of Longidorus spp. sequences published in GenBank were done using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference. Paralongidorus species (including P. iranicus n. sp.) clustered together; however, P. bikanerensis clustered within Longidorus spp. and was clearly separated from all other Paralongidorus spp. in trees generated from the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S and partial 18S data set, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotylenchus vitis n. sp., a new amphimictic species infesting soil and roots of commercial vineyards in southern Spain, is described. Rotylenchus vitis n. sp. is characterised by a truncate lip region with 7-9 annuli and continuous with the body contour, lateral fields areolated at pharyngeal region only, body without longitudinal striations, stylet length of 36-48 μm, vulva position at 47-57%, tail rounded to hemispherical with 13-21 annuli. Morphologically, this species is related to R. cazorlaensis, R. capitatus, R. elegans, R. fabalus, R. iranicus, R. labiodiscus, R. montanus and R. troncapitatus. The results of the phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the D2-D3 expansion regions of the 28S and ITS1-rRNA genes confirmed the species differentiation and the close molecular relationship between R. eximius and R. montanus, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pin nematodes (Paratylenchus spp.) are polyphagous parasitic species with a wide host range and geographical distribution; their diversity is unknown in the potato growing region of Alberta, Canada. The present study aims to provide morphological and molecular characterization of three pin nematode species, namely P. neoprojectus, P. tateae, and a new species, Paratylenchus enigmaticus sp. nov. All of them were recovered from the potato growing region of southern Alberta. The nematodes were isolated using the sieving and flotation-centrifugation method, and their morphology was assessed by light microscopy. Molecular characterization was performed using partial 18S, D2–D3 expansion domains of the 28S and ITS ribosomal genes. This study is the first report of molecular characterization of P. tateae and P. neoprojectus, being new records from southern Alberta, and two Spanish populations of P. tateae comprising the first report of this species in Europe. The phylogenetic analysis of the 18S, D2–D3 expansion domains of the 28S and ITS ribosomal DNA regions underscores the importance of using molecular data for accurate species identification and clarifies the status of P. nanus type B and P. sheri. Moreover, our findings will be useful to determine the impact of pin nematodes on potato production in future field research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]