Description of Ruehmaphelenchus americanum n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) found in Loblolly pine from the USA

What is it about?

Ruehmaphelenchus americanus n. sp.was isolated from southern yellow pine (Pinus taedae L.) from the USA. It is characterised a relatively stout body (a = 30 for females and males), oral disc present, three lines in the lateral field, male spicules relatively small (14-18 μm) with weakly developed condyles and rostrum, female vulva positioned at ca 82% of body length, vulval lips slightly protruding, post-uterine branch extending 2/3 of vulva to anus distance, tail cylindrical, ca two anal body diam. long, terminus forming a spike-like projection or mucron, 7.6-12.2 µm long, with pointed tip. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S and 28S D2-D3 region sequences confirmed the status of this nematode as a new species.

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