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Title: DESCRIPTION AND SEM OBSERVATIONS OF A NEW SPECIES OF CYST NEMATODE HETERODERA GOLDENI (NEMATODA: HETERODERIDAE) ATTACKING PANICUM COLORATUM INEGYPT

Author
item Handoo, Zafar
item IBRAHIM, I - ALEXANDRIA UNIV, EGYPT

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2002
Publication Date: 12/1/2002
Citation: Handoo, Z.A., Ibrahim, I.K. 2002. Description and sem observations of a new species of cyst nematode heterodera goldeni (nematoda: heteroderidae) attacking panicum coloratum inegypt. Journal of Nematology 34:312-318.

Interpretive Summary: Nematodes are microscopic worms that cause ten billion dollars of crop losses in the United states each year. Cyst nematodes are an important group that feed on the roots of many kinds of plants worldwide. They damage field and vegetable crops and other economic plants in the United States. One problem with determining the potential extent of cyst nematode damage to crop plants is that the biology of these nematodes is inadequately known, especially in terms of their identification, relationships and the numbers and kinds which actually exist. In the present study a new cyst nematode is described from grass roots growing around an ornamental date palm in Alexandria, Egypt. Microscopic observations indicated its close relationship to two other nematodes in the United States. Photographs and measurements are provided for easier identification. The results are significant because they provide valuable details to nematode identification and our understanding of the relationships among cyst nematode species. This research will be of use to scientists, growers, action agencies, and extension agencies in nematode research and control.

Technical Abstract: A cyst nematode, Heterodera goldeni n. sp., is described and photographed from Qasabagrass roots (Panicum coloratum) growing around an ornamental date palm in Alexandria, Egypt. It is characterized in having second-stage juveniles with body length of 546 microns(450-612), stylet length of 22.6 microns (22-23.5) with anchor-shaped knobs, lateral field with 3 lines, tail 60-75 microns, hyaline tail terminus 39 microns(33-43); cysts are lemon shaped, dark to light brown in color with an extensive sub-crystalline layer covering the entire cyst, cuticular midbody pattern zig-zag, cysts ambifenestrate, well developed underbridge with finger-like projections, bullae present, vulva slit measuring 44-48 microns long. Males are absent and females have heavy punctations on the cuticle. Its relationship to H. graminophila described from Florida and Louisiana, USA and H. leuceilyma described from Florida are discussed. The present known distribution is restricted to Alexandria, Egypt. Its economic importance in rangeland grasses and cultivated crops such as rice is not known.