THE OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF LONGIDORUS LEPTOCEPHALUS (NEMATODA: DORYLAIMIDA) IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC WITH COMMENT ON THE PUTATIVE "LARGE" AND "SMALL" FORMS

Abstract

Longidorus leptocephalus is widespread in central and eastern, but largely absent in western Slovakia. The species was most frequently found associated with apple, cherry, plum and nut orchards and was absent in all but on sample from coniferous and from deciduous forests and from hedgerows. Comparison of morphometrics from four populations from Slovakia with those obtained from specimens from the type locality in England and from a population from Scotland revealed that the populations could be attributed to the putative "small" or "large" forms and to size-forms intermediate between these. Specimens from a population from Scotland, collected during 1975, were identified as being the "large" form, whereas, specimens collected 18 years later from the same biotope, were similar to the "small" form. It is concluded that L. leptocephalus has morphometric plasticity and does not exist in two exclusive size-forms.