Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode Parasitizing Olive Tree (Olea europaea L.)

Abstract

A root-knot nematode from Portugal, Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp., is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from olive trees (Olea europaea L.). Females of the new species have a characteristic perineal pattern with medium to high trapezoidal dorsal arch with distinct punctuations in the tail terminus area. The excretory pore is located posterior to the stylet, about 1.5-2.5 stylet lengths from the anterior end. The stylet is 17.1 [mu]m long with pear-shaped knobs. Males have a rounded, posteriorly sloping head cap and head region not annulated. The robust stylet, 24.5 [mu] long, has large, elongate knobs. Mean length of the second-stage juveniles is 449.5 [mu]m, stylet length 14.2 [mu]m, and tail length 44.1 [mu]m. Scanning electron microscope observations provide further details of perineal patterns and head and stylet morphology of females, males, and second-stage juveniles. Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. did not reproduce on any of the differential hosts used to separate the four most common Meloidogyne species. The common name "olive root-knot nematode" is proposed for M. lusitanica n. sp. Key words: light microscopy (LM), Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp., morphology, morphometrics, new species, Olea europaea, olive root-knot nematode, olive tree, Portugal, root-knot nematode, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), taxonomy.