Abstract

Root-lesion nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus have a worldwide distribution and are regarded as severe production constraints for numerous important crops. Correct and accurate identification of species within this important genus of plant-parasitic nematodes is critical but is complicated by their stenomorphic status. A polyphasic approach to diagnosis is therefore proposed as a better strategy for distinguishing species and to infer phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Recent studies on Pratylenchus spp. recovered from damaged plantain (Musa spp., genome AAB) in Ghana, West Africa, has resulted in their description asa new species, Pratylenchus speijeri n. sp. Morphological and molecular features of this species were compared with those of P. coffeae, its most closely related species, and other amphimictic species of Pratylenchus that have and undivided face with two lip annuli. Morphological characterisation of P. speijeri n. sp. did not result in an unambiguous separation from P. coffeae, whereas molecular analysis clearly distinguished the two species. Only a few and often variable morphological features, such as larger stylet knobs and a more frequently indented tail terminus separated these populations from P. coffeae. Sequences and phylogenetic analyses of D2--D3 of 28S rDNA and ITS containing regions of 60 individual nematodes from the P. coffeae species complex, sourced from various geographical locations, generated majority consensus BI trees with three major clades, where P. speijeri n. sp. formed its own separate clade from P. coffeae. During recent years the use of SEM, LM and molecular approaches to study P. coffeae, or representatives of the P. coffeae species complex, has resulted in the descriptions of several new cryptic species, namely P. jaehni, P. floridensis, P. parafloridensis and now P. speijeri n. sp. The morphological and molecular features of these cryptic species are compared and the practical application of such moleculardata discussed.

Autore Pugliese

• Troccoli Alberto , De Luca Francesca

Tutti gli autori

• Troccoli A.; De Luca F.; Coyne D.L.; Inserra R.; Duncan L.W.; Subbotin S.A.; Brentu F.C.; Waeyenberge L.

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Anno di pubblicazione

2012

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Settori ERC

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