The Xiphinema americanum group. III. Keys to species identification

Abstract

A polytomous and a dichotomous key for specific identification of 49 putative species of the Xiphinema americanum group are presented. Priority is given to quantitative characters to minimize dependency on subjective judgements. Among the characters selected odontostyle length, ratios c and c', and V% appeared the most reliable for examining intra- and inter-population relationships.