Some 134 ITS rRNA gene sequences for circumfenestrate cyst nematodes and two sequences for non-cyst nematodes of the family Heteroderidae, of which 46 were newly obtained, were analysed by phylogenetic and phylogeographic methods. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis combined with known morphological, biological and geographical data allowed the identification, amongst samples original to this study, of several belonging to known valid species as well as others that might be new species. The phylogenetic analysis revealed six major clades for circumfenestrate cyst nematodes: i) Globodera from South and North America; ii) Globodera from Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania; iii) Paradolichodera; iv) Punctodera; v) Cactodera; and vi) Betulodera.

SummaryGlobodera presently contains 13 valid and three as yet undescribed species. Three species, G. rostochiensis, G. pallida and G. ellingtonae, the potato cyst nematodes (PCN), cause significant economic losses on potatoes around the world. In our study we provide comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of 455 ITS rRNA, 219 COI and 164 cytb gene sequences of 11 valid and two undescribed species of Globodera using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and statistical parsimony. New 205 COI, 116 cytb and 21 ITS rRNA gene sequences were obtained from 148 populations of these species collected from 23 countries. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Globodera displayed two main clades in the trees: i) Globodera from South and North America parasitising plants from Solanaceae; and ii) Globodera from Africa, Europe, Asia and New Zealand parasitising plants from Asteraceae and other families. Based on the results of phylogeographical analysis and age estimation of clades with a molecular clock approach, it is hypothesised that Globodera species originated and diversified from several centres of speciation located in mountain regions and then dispersed across the world from these regions during the Pleistocene. High genetic diversity of Bolivian populations of G. rostochiensis was observed for both mtDNA genes. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships of G. pallida and G. rostochiensis populations revealed incongruence in topology between networks inferred from mtDNA genes, which might be an indication of possible recombination and selective introgression events through gene flow between previously isolated populations. This puts some limitations on the use of the mtDNA marker as universal DNA barcoding identifier for PCN. Globodera bravoae syn. n. is proposed as a junior synonym of G. mexicana.

The cystoid sedentary nematodes of the Heteroderidae include more than 30 recognised species belonging to from nine to 11 genera, depending on the opinion of the authority. In the present study, we collected nematode populations of species belonging to some of these genera, as well as other cyst-forming species from different locations in the USA, Vietnam, Germany and Russia. The populations of cystoid nematodes represent seven valid species, Atalodera carolynae, Cryphodera sinensis, Meloidodera astonei, M. floridensis, M. mexicana, M. sikhotealiniensis, Rhizonemella sequoiae, two unidentified species of Atalodera, six unidentified species of Cryphodera, and three putative new species of Rhizonemella. We also obtained samples of cyst-forming nematodes that include an unidentified species of Betulodera from California, and Heterodera guangdongensis from Vietnam. A population of Rotylenchulus sp. from Arizona, intercepted in Florida, and a population of an unidentified species of Verutus from Germany were also added to this study. All of these populations were characterised using sequences of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA or mitochondrial COI genes. A total of 89 new sequences were obtained from these analyses. Phylogenetic relationships within the family Heteroderidae were reconstructed based on the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and mitochondrial COI gene sequences. Results revealed that the subfamily Ataloderinae was paraphyletic. Ekphymatodera thomasoni, a non-cyst-forming species, clustered with the cyst-forming nematodes. Representatives of the subfamily Verutinae formed clades within Heteroderidae. The genus Meloidodera was non-monophyletic and distributed within two clades: i) M. sikhotealiniensis and Cryphodera spp. from Asia and Europe; and ii) M. astonei, M. floridensis and M. mexicana from North America. Based on comparative molecular analysis Meloidodera alni syn. n. is proposed as a junior synonym of M. sikhotealiniensis. Problems of taxonomy and phylogeography of cystoid nematodes are also discussed.

A new species of cyst nematode, Cactodera torreyanae sp. n., parasitising romerito plants, Suaeda torreyana (Chenopodiaceae), found in highly saline soils in Texcoco, Mexico, is described. The new species is morphologically and molecularly related to C. weissi, from which it differs in smaller fenestral diam., longer body and shorter tail lengths of second-stage juveniles (J2) and to C. rosae, from which it differs in smaller cyst size, longer body length of J2 and the presence of a smooth eggshell surface. Phylogenetic relationships within populations and species of the Punctoderinae and Cactodera are given based on the analysis of the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA and the ITS rRNA gene sequences.

SummaryThe stubby root nematodes are world-wide distributed polyphagous root ectoparasites and can cause damage to a wide range of crops and natural vegetation. In this study, 22 valid and putative species of stubby root nematodes were identified in 37 samples collected in Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, and the USA (California, Florida, Minnesota and Nevada). The analysis of 58 new sequences of the D2-D3 expansion fragments of 28S rRNA gene revealed the following species: Nanidorus minor from California, Florida and Mexico, N. renifer from Florida, two unidentified Nanidorus species from California and Malaysia, respectively, Paratrichodorus allius from Florida and Minnesota, P. pachydermus and Paratrichodorus sp. from Russia, Trichodorus californicus, T. intermedius, and T. obscurus from California, T. obtusus from Florida, eight unidentified Trichodorus species from California, one unidentified Trichodorus species from Nevada, and two unidentified species of stubby root nematodes, one of Trichodorus and another undetermined species from Mexico. Molecular characterisation of T. californicus, T. intermedius and T. obscurus is given for the first time. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed from the analysis of 108 D2-D3 of 28S rRNA gene sequences of 58 valid and putative species of the stubby root nematodes contained five major clades: i) Trichodorus from Europe, Asia and North America; ii) Nanidorus and Trichodorus from Asia; iii) Trichodorus from California; iv) Paratrichodorus from several distant geographical regions; and v) Monotrichodorus from Central and South America. It has been hypothesised that the California Floristic Province is one of the centres of origin and diversification of stubby root nematodes. There is no information on the economic importance of the stubby root nematode species found in California and Mexico. The confirmation of the occurrence of N. renifer and P. allius in Florida should be of concern for the blueberry and potato industries in the state.