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Title: Vittatidera zeaphila (Nematoda: Heteroderidae), a new genus and species of cyst nematode parasitic on corn (Zea mays)

Author
item BERNARD, ERNEST - UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
item Handoo, Zafar
item POWERS, THOMAS - UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
item DONALD, PATRICIA
item HEINZ, ROBERT - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/23/2010
Publication Date: 6/1/2010
Citation: Bernard, E.C., Handoo, Z.A., Powers, T.O., Donald, P.A., Heinz, R.D., 2010. Vittatidera zeaphila (Nematoda: Heteroderidae), a new genus and species of cyst nematode parasitic on corn (Zea mays). Journal of Nematology. 42:139-150.

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on plants and cause an estimated ten billion dollars of crop losses each year in the United States and 100 billion dollars globally. Cyst nematodes are one of the most economically destructive groups of plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide. A major problem with determining the extent of crop loss due to plant-parasitic nematodes is that the nematodes occurring in many areas or feeding on many crops are unknown. In this study, ARS scientists from Beltsville, Maryland and Jackson, Tennessee in collaboration with scientists from the Universities of Tennessee, Nebraska and Missouri describe and illustrate a new species of cyst nematode on corn and goosegrass from Tennessee. They also discovered how to distinguish the new species from closely related species with molecular and anatomical features. The results are significant because they represent the only details for identifying this new species. This research will be of use to scientists, growers, action agencies and extension agencies involved in nematode research and control.

Technical Abstract: A new genus and species of cyst nematode, Vittatidera zeaphila, is described from Tennessee. The new genus is superficially similar to Cactodera but is distinguished from other cyst-forming taxa in having a persistent lateral field in females and cysts, persistent vulval lips covering a circumfenestrate vulva, and subventral gland nuclei of the female contained in a separate small lobe. Infective juveniles (J2) are distinguished from all previously described Cactodera spp. by the short stylet in the second-stage juvenile 14-17 micrometers; J2 of Cactodera spp. have stylets at least 18 micrometers long. The new species also is unusual in that the females produce large egg masses. Known hosts are corn (Zea mays) and goosegrass (Eleusine indica).