Identification of Meloidogyne Species on the Basis of Head Shape and, Stylet Morphology of the Male

Authors

  • J. D. Eisenback
  • Hedwig Hirschmann

Abstract

Head shape and stylet morphology of males of 90 populations of M. arenaria, M. hapla, M. incognita, and M. javanica from geographic regions of the world were compared by light microscopy (LM). In addition, stylets of one population each of M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica and three different chromosomal forms of M. hapla race A and two of race B were excised and examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Differences among species occurred in both head and stylet morphology. Head morphology differed in size and shape of the head cap, annulation of the head region, and width of the head region relative to the first body annule. Differences in stylets occurred in size and shape of the cone, shaft, and knobs. All populations of M. hapla, except one, had similar head morphology, but stylet morphology was different between cytological races A and B. Populations of M. javanica varied with respect to the presence of head annulations. Head shape and stylet morphology of males are recommended as additional characters useful in the identification of root-knot nematodes. Key words: Meloidogyne arenaria, M. hapla, M. incognita, M. javanica, root-knot nematodes, cytological races, intersexes, scanning electron microscopy, taxonomy.

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Published

1981-10-15

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Articles