Integrative taxonomy of Xiphinema histriaeand Xiphinema lapidosumfrom Spain

Three populations of Xiphinemanon-americanumgroup species were detected in agricultural and natural ecosystems, during routine surveys for plant-parasitic nematodes in Spain. Based on morphological and molecular analyses, the species were identified as Xiphinema histriaeand Xiphinema lapidosum, being this the first record and molecular characterization of both species in Spain. The morphometrics and morphology of the Spanish populations agree with those of the original description and paratype specimens and the present study provided a first description of the second to fourth juvenile stages of both species. A detailed study on the morphology in the Spanish populations of X. histriae, as well as in paratypes, showed a pseudo-Z-organ with weakly muscularized wall and containing numerous small dense granular bodies, which was different to the original description by Lamberti et al. (1993). This new finding suggests that X. histriaemust be considered a member of the morphospecies Group 5 of X.non-americanum. Phylogenetic analysis based on D2 to D3 expansion segments of 28S gene, ITS1 and partial CoxI gene indicated that X. histriaeand X. lapidosumare phylogenetically related with other Xiphinemanon-americanumgroup spp. reported from Spain. Considering the pathological and economic importance of this group of nematodes, the combination of morphological characters, measurements, and molecular analysis is crucial for accurate identification of these species.