Nematodes and the effect of seasonality in grassland habitats of South Africa.

Nematodes in South Africa have mainly been studied for their diversity and agricultural importance. However, the ecological status of nematodes and the effect of seasonal variation in local grasslands remain unknown. For this reason, a nematode study was conducted in the Telperion Nature Reserve and represented the first ecological study in a natural grassland area in South Africa.

Molecular and morphological characters of Helicotylenchus Steiner, 1945 species from Iran with a note on the identity of H. pseudorobustus (Steiner, 1914) Golden, 1956.

Helicotylenchus species were recovered from natural areas of three provinces (Mazandaran, Kerman and Guilan) in Iran, with morphological and molecular characteristics suggesting that they were Helicotylenchus minzi and Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus. A phylogenetic analysis of the two Helicotylenchus species using 28S rDNA placed H. pseudrobustus and H.

Molecular characterization of Helicotylenchus multicinctus and H. dihystera (Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae) from Theobroma cacao in Nigeria.

The genus Helicotylenchus contains cosmopolitan, ubiquitous plant-parasitic nematodes with some species capable of causing significant economic damage to agricultural crops. Accurate species identification in this genus is essential in recognizing the damaging species and establishing effective management options. In a study on cocoa plantations in Nigeria, two species of spiral nematodes were found in high numbers from soil samples obtained from a six-decade old cocoa plantation at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.

A global database of soil nematode abundance and functional group composition.

As the most abundant animals on earth, nematodes are a dominant component of the soil community. They play critical roles in regulating biogeochemical cycles and vegetation dynamics within and across landscapes and are an indicator of soil biological activity. Here, we present a comprehensive global dataset of soil nematode abundance and functional group composition.

Description of two new species, Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. (Nematoda:br />Aphanolaimidae) and Makatinus africanus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aporcelaimidae), and SEM observations on three known species from freshwater sources in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga, South Africa).

Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. and Makatinus africanus n.

Morphological and morphometrical identification of Meloidogyne populations from various crop production areas in South Africa with emphasis on M. enterolobii.

Accurate identification of Meloidogyne spp. is crucial and the first step to apply suitable management strategies to combat these nematode pests. Perineal-pattern morphology of female specimens is one of the most common characteristics used for identification.

Additive interaction between a root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica and a root-feeding flea beetle Longitarsus bethae on their host Lantana camara.

Background: Changes in plants induced by one species have indirect effects on interactions with other species, thus shaping their abundances. The root-feeding beetle Longitarsus bethae released as a biological control agent for Lantana camara has established at a few sites in South Africa. Lantana camara plants infected with the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica often exhibit an increase in L.

Morphological and molecular characterization of three Helicotylenchus species from Iran.

Three Helicotylenchus species, namely Helicotylenchus digonicus, Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus and Helicotylenchus vulgaris were identified during a nematode survey conducted in Iran. The morphological and molecular characteristics of the species were defined. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of five Iranian Helicotylenchus populations based on 28S rDNA were done and showed the unresolved position of molecularly identified H.

Aphelenchoides spp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchida) and Panagrolaimus leperisini (Nematoda: Rhabditida) found associated with grass seeds in the Telperion Nature Reserve, South Africa.

As part of the South African Plant-Parasitic Nematode Survey (SAPPNS), an extensive nematode diversity survey was conducted in the Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa. During this survey, samples of grass seeds were collected. Some of these seeds yielded specimens of the genera Aphelenchoides, Aphelenchus and Panagrolaimus.