Redescription of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne Maritima Jepson, 1987 (Nematoda: Heteroderidae), a Parasite of Ammophila Arenaria (L.) Link

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne maritima, a parasite of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria), is redescribed from the type locality, a coastal dune near Perranporth, UK. This species is characterized by second-stage juvenile 471 μm long, hemizonid posterior to excretory pore, tail 71.5 μm long, hyaline tail terminus indistinct; male head tapering, not set off, labial disc elevated, rounded and fused with crescent shaped medial lips, lateral lips present, stylet 20.5 μm long, with relatively small rounded knobs, slightly sloping backwardly, lateral field areolated; female stylet curved dorsally, 14.2 μm long, with rounded to transversely ovoid shaped knobs, slightly sloping backwardly, excretory pore located near level of stylet knobs, perineal pattern relatively small, rounded to ovoid and dorsal arch low with lateral field distinct. A malate dehydrogenase pattern, N1a type, and a VS1-S1type of esterase isozyme pattern were detected. Meloidogyne duytsi Karssen et al., 1998, was found on Elymus furctus in the foredunes of the type locality.

Affiliations: 1: Plant Protection Service, Nematology Section, P.O. Box 9102, 6700 HC, Wageningen, The Netherlands; 2: Wagcningen Agricultural University, Dept. of Plant Cytology and Morphology, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703 BD, Wageningen, The Netherlands; 3: Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, Wales, UK