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Title: MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (MELOIDOGYNE SP.) ON GINGER FROM THAILAND

Author
item Handoo, Zafar
item Carta, Lynn
item Skantar, Andrea

Submitted to: Society of Nematology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2004
Publication Date: 9/4/2004
Citation: Handoo, Z.A., Carta, L.K., Skantar, A.M. 2004. Morphological characterization of a new root-knot nematode (meloidogyne sp.) on ginger from thailand. Nematology: 36: 322.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In October 2002, a root-knot nematode was discovered on roots of Ginger (Zingiber spp.) that was intercepted by APHIS at the port of San Francisco from Thailand and was identified as representing an undescribed Meloidogyne sp., based on morphological observations. The importer of the Zingiberaceae from Thailand provided the following information: The plants were bought at a local Bangkok market, were supplied by local nursery growers, and were a variegated variety of Alpinia sp. or Zingiber sp. The roots exhibited symptoms of galls typical of root-knot nematode. Heavily infected roots were dark brown to black-colored, and from each infected root area we recovered clusters of 1- 4 root-knot nematode females with egg masses attached. All the life stages of this species (juveniles, males and females) were heavily attacked by Pasteuria sp. spores. Comparison with three other morphologically related species, M. incognita, M. arenaria, and M. megatyla, revealed that the new species differs from these by one or more of the following: body and tail length, shape of head, tail and tail terminus of second-stage juveniles; stylet length and shape of spicules in males; and in the female stylet length, shape of knobs, and distinctive perineal pattern. This pattern is smooth with coarse striae, dorsal arch is high and sometimes rectangular; and striae in and around the anal area form a thick network-like structure interrupted by a prominent lateral line. Second-stage juveniles have a long slender tail with inflated rectum and long gradually tapering hyaline tail part, ending in rounded terminus. Male spicules have a bidentate terminus. Additional information regarding distribution of this nematode within the region is needed, especially in fields throughout Thailand.