Molecular and morphological characterisation of Xiphinema granatum n. sp. and Longidorus pisi Edward, Misra & Singh, 1964 (Dorylaimida: Longidoridae) from Iran.

Xiphinema granatum n. sp. from pomegranate in Saveh, Markazi province, central Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to species group 8 of the genus Xiphinema sensu Loof & Luc, 1990. The new species is characterised by a body 3.5-4.1 mm long, 37-49 µm diam., odontostyle and odontophore 118-132 and 65-74 µm long, respectively, presence of sperm in the female genital tracts, uterus devoid of any Z-differentiation or spines, and abundant males with spicules 45-58 µm long. The polytomous identification codes of the new species are: A4, B4, C5a, D5, E56, F4, G23, H2, I3, J4, K2, L2. Beside morphological and morphometric data, molecular analyses of D2-D3 fragments of 28S rRNA gene placed the new species in close relationship with X. vuittenezi and X. italiae and some species belonging to Xiphinema morphospecies group 6, but clearly separated from X. index. In addition, an Iranian population of Longidorus pisi from the same locality is morphologically and molecularly characterised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]