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Background: The genus Enchodelus is an intriguing free-living dorylaimid nematode taxon. Its representatives display a distinct distributional pattern as they are mainly spread in high altitudinal enclaves of the Northern Hemisphere, being often associated with mosses and cliff vegetation. Although their feeding habits have not been studied with experimental protocols, it is traditionally assumed that they are omnivorous. The genus Enchodelus has not been recently revised; descriptions of many 'old species' (that have been described long ago and have not been reported since their original discovery) are of poor quality, hardly discoverable and do not conform to the nowadays taxonomical standards. Thus, a comprehensive compilation and analysis of their literature data is indispensable to provide new insights into the taxonomy of the genus and to elucidate its evolutionary relationships. New information: This contribution provides a cyber catalogue of all Enchodelus species, 28 in total. It compiles available information from the key European Research Infrastructures, such as TreatmentBank, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Literature Services (SIBiLS), the Catalogue of Life (CoL), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) and Biodiversity Literature Repository (BLR). Data about their distribution (geographical records and habitats) are incorporated too and all brought together. It is completed with discussion and notes for some species, along with information on species distributions and microhabitats. Here, all available information on Enchodelus species is brought together. This will contribute to a more complete assessment of species diversity and distribution and support further biogeographical and ecological research. Besides, type material Enchodelus vestibulifer Altherr, 1952, deposited in the Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale di Lugano (Switzerland), is re-examined and the species is considered as incertae sedis. Further, a new species of the genus found in Caucasus, Georgia is described after its morphological and molecular study; also morphological and molecular data for E. macrodorus (de Man, 1880) Thorne, 1939, the type species of the genus, collected from Spain are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Parkellus with a redescription of Parkellus menzeli male is recorded and illustrated for the first time from Vietnam. One male of Parkellus menzeli was collected from Y Ty Commune, Bat Xat natural conservation area, Lao Cai Province, northwest Vietnam; its measurements and features corresponded well with the type population from Crasta im Textal, Switzerland and other populations from Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining of polymetallic nodules in abyssal seafloor sediments promises to address the growing worldwide demand for metallic minerals. Given that prospective mining operations are likely to have profound impacts on deep seafloor communities, industrial investment has been accompanied by scientific involvement for the assessment of baseline conditions and provision of guidelines for environmentally sustainable mining practices. Benthic meiofaunal communities were studied in four prospective mining areas of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the east Pacific Ocean, arranged in a southeast-northwest fashion coinciding with the productivity gradient in the area. Additionally, samples were collected from an Area of Particular Environmental Interest (APEI-3) in the northwest of the CCZ where mining will be prohibited and which should serve as a source area for the biota within the larger CCZ. Total densities in the 0-5 upper cm layer of the sediment were influenced by sedimentary characteristics, water depth and nodule density at the various sampling locations, indicating the importance of nodules for meiofaunal standing stock. Nematodes were the most abundant meiobenthic taxon and displayed a relatively similar community composition for the different areas. Assemblages were typically dominated by a few genera (generally 2-6), accounting for 40-70% of all individuals, as well as a large number of rare genera each contributing less than 5% to the overall abundances. Dominant genera were widely spread within the CCZ and shared among all sampled license areas, whereas rare genera were usually limited to one. The same trend was present when looking at the species level of one of the dominant genera, Halalaimus, implying that it might be mainly these rare genera and species that will be affected by changes in their habitat due to mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nematode assemblages along the northern continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) were examined to understand the structure of the meiobenthic community in the area. Meiofauna were collected at 36–187 m depths on the northern GOM continental shelf in 2013–2014. Sediment was collected from 37 stations with a multicorer and analyzed for nematode diversity, trace metals, and granulometry. Over 3800 nematodes were identified from 151 genera and 32 families. Cluster analysis revealed distinct nematode assemblages in the eastern study areas (Florida/Alabama) versus western areas (Louisiana/Mississippi) that corresponded with two different sediment profiles in the eastern and western Gulf shelf. These areas demonstrated higher levels of silt and aluminosilicate compounds in the west due to the outflow of the Mississippi River, and higher levels of sand fractions in Florida, far from the River outflow. Further, significant (SIMPROF) temporal changes were revealed by the cluster analysis, as the 2014 eastern nematode assemblages grouped together but separately from the 2013 eastern nematode cluster, though the collection methods and identification processes were identical. Conversely, the 2013–2014 nematode assemblages from the Louisiana/Mississippi sites grouped as one significant cluster. As nematode communities are known to correlate to areas of organic enrichment, trace metals were used as indicators of Mississippi River-derived silty sediments that have elevated levels of organic matter. The data show that nematode abundances at each site correlated positively with high levels of Aluminum and Zinc, near the Mississippi River outflow, as well as with high levels of silt + clay. Conversely, nematode densities correlated negatively with Calcium and Strontium, which are elevated in Florida. Nematode density was not related to water depth. The most abundant genera identified in the study were Sabatieria , Dorylaimopsis , Pselionema, Tricoma, and Halalaimus . This study will be useful in understanding the abiotic factors that influence the meiobenthic community and will facilitate future assessments of natural and man-made disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the influence of fish aquaculture on benthic freshwater nematode assemblages are scarce, but could provide a way of gauging environmental effects. The abundance and diversity of nematode assemblages in response toOreochromis niloticusaquaculture were investigated in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, from July to November 2014 under conditions of irrigation (reference), fish farm pond with high Tilapia density, and fish farm pond effluent canal without fish. The nematode generaAdoncholaimus, Punctodora, Labronema, OncholaimusandOdontolaimuswere present at all sites. Environmental factors were not related to nematode distribution patterns. Tilapia predation and/or disturbance may explain reduced nematode abundance, especially of the largest genera,Adoncholaimus, PunctodoraandLabronemaat the fish farm site. The absence of fish from the drainage site allowed intergeneric nematode competitive exclusion, benefitting the largest nematodes and reducing diversity indices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Sustainable use of our soils is a key goal for environmental protection. As many ecosystem services are supported belowground at different trophic levels by nematodes, soil nematodes are expected to provide objective metrics for biological quality to integrate physical and chemical soil variables. Trait measurements of body mass carried out at the individual level can in this way be correlated with environmental properties that influence the performance of soil biota. Results: Soil samples were collected across 200 sites (4 soil types and 5 land-use types resulting in 9 combinations) during a long-term monitoring programme in the Netherlands and the functional diversity of nematode communities was investigated. Using three commonly used functional diversity indices applicable to single traits (Divergence, Evenness and Richness), a unified index of overall body-mass distribution is proposed to better illustrate the application of functional metrics as a descriptor of land use. Effects of land use and soil chemistry on the functional diversity of nematodes were demonstrated and a combination of environmental factors accounts for the low functional value of Scots Pine forest soils in comparison to the high functional value of heathland soils, whereas human factors account for the low functional and chemical values of arable fields. Conclusions: These findings show an unexpected high functional vulnerability of nematodes inhabiting clay-rich soils in comparison to sandy soils and support the notion that soil C:N ratio is a major driver of biodiversity. The higher the C:N ratio, the higher the overall diversity, as soil nematodes cope better with nutrient-poor agroecosystems under less intense fertilization. A trait-based way focusing on size distribution of nematodes is proposed to maintain environmental health by monitoring the overall diversity in soil biota, keeping agriculture and forestry sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese populations of the clover cyst nematode, Heterodera trifolii, were characterised morphologically, morphometrically and molecularly. The morphology and morphometrics of six Japanese populations of H. trifolii were in congruence with those of previous descriptions of this species from Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, The Netherlands, UK and USA. The results of the phylogenetic analyses of the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA gene and the COI mtDNA gene sequences discriminated H. trifolii from most of the other closely related species of the Schachtii group. The intraspecific sequence differences in the Schachtii group were much higher in COI than in D2-D3. The H. trifolii populations displayed very low levels of intraspecific variations (up to 0.3%) in the COI mtDNA gene sequences. The phylogenetic relationships of H. trifolii with other Heterodera species, as inferred from the analyses of the ITS rRNA gene, D2-D3 of 28S rRNA gene and COI mtDNA gene sequences, were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antarctic nematode Panagrolaimus davidi can survive intracellular freezing. Genetic studies indicate the culture strain (now designated as Panagrolaimus sp. DAW1) is a different species to the P. davidi of field origin. This paper reports further attempts both to isolate DAW1 from Antarctic soils and to culture P. davidi itself. Sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene of 151 individuals indicates that DAW1 is rare in the field, but characterising two new isolates shows that, nevertheless, it is present. Panagrolaimus davidi is common in the field, but cannot be cultured using the media tested here. These two species are difficult to distinguish morphologically, apart from the absence of males in DAW1 and its longer recurved tail. Whilst it is possible that DAW1 is an introduced species, the sites at Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds are dominated by P. davidi, which is clearly an endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of interspecific competition between the potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis, under variable population conditions were examined. PCN-susceptible potato cultivars were inoculated with single- and mixed-species populations of PCN. There was a significant difference in species multiplication between single- and mixed-species populations. Globodera rostochiensis multiplication in mixed-species populations was significantly lower than single-species populations. Densitydependent trials showed a significantly greater increase in multiplication of G. pallida at low inoculation densities relative to G. rostochiensis. These results indicate that G. pallida has a negative effect on G. rostochiensis populations and is the more successful species when competing. A staggered inoculation trial showed that the greater competitiveness of G. pallida was not wholly attributed to its later hatch. Globodera pallida outcompeted G. rostochiensis regardless of the timing of inoculation; however, G. pallida multiplication was lowest when plants were simultaneously inoculated with both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longidorus piceicola, a new geographical and host record from Romania, was described and illustrated on the basis of two populations originating from a coniferous and a deciduous forest. The main morphological characters of specimens from Romania correspond very well with the type material collected from the soil around Picea abies L. (Slovakia) except for the shorter body and tail. The D2-D3 fragment of 28S rDNA from both populations was amplified and sequenced, and the sequences were identical to L. piceicola sequence from Slovakia. The partial 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA regions from one of the populations were sequenced for the first time. The evolutionary relationships between L. piceicola and the closest species L. intermedius based on D2-sequence divergence and single-nucleotide polymorphisms are discussed. Although having very low sequence dissimilarity (0.3–0.9 %) both species have distinct morphology and biology. Longidorus piceicola differs from L. intermedius in having a much longer odontostyle, body, distance anterior end - guide ring, a wider lip region, more ventromedian supplements (11 vs 5–7) in the male, and develops through four rather than three juvenile stages. Furthermore, L. piceicola occurs more frequently in association with conifers, while L. intermedius is found mainly in oak forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Mesocriconema and a unique assemblage of plant-parasitic nematodes was discovered in a heath bald atop Brushy Mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mesocriconema ericaceum n. sp., a species with males, superficially resembles M. xenoplax. DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial COI gene provided evidence of the new species as a distinct lineage. SEM revealed significant variability in arrangement of labial submedian lobes, plates, and anterior and posterior annuli. Three other nematodes in the family Criconematidae were characterised from the heath bald. Ogma seymouri, when analysed by statistical parsimony, established connections with isolates from north-eastern Atlantic coastal and north-western Pacific coastal wet forests. Criconema loofi has a southern Gulf Coast distribution associated with boggy soils. Criconema cf. acriculum is known from northern coastal forests of California. Understanding linkages between these species and their distribution may lead to the broader development of a terrestrial soil nematode biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal cyst nematodes, Heterodera filipjevi, parasitize the roots of wheat and cause significant yield losses around the world. Cereal cyst nematodes are one of the most important and endemic problems in wheat-growing areas especially where rainfall is limited and monoculture crop production practices exist. In Turkey, cereal cyst nematodes are considered among the most damaging pests in wheat. Identifying cyst nematode species and determining their prevalence and distribution in Turkey are important for predicting potential spread in the future. This survey aimed to identify cyst nematode species and to assess their prevalence in cereal growing areas of Bolu province in Turkey. Cereal cyst nematode cysts were found in 83% of the surveyed fields. Prevalence of cysts was greater in cereal-growing areas in the provincial center and in the Gerede district. Morphological features of second-stage juveniles and cysts were examined, and DNA was extracted from second-stage juveniles and the species-specific Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) primers were used for molecular identification. Based on both morphological and molecular methods, all samples were identified as H. filipjevi. This study was the first comprehensive investigation of H. filipjevi prevalence in cereal fields in Bolu. This information is of value to alert personnel of wheat breeding programs to develop local resistant varieties to target H. filipjevi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) were studied in Polish soils according to the: season, habitat and altitude. In total, 167 soil samples were taken from 111 localities in Poland along north-south transect. Entomopathogenic nematodes were isolated from 53 soil samples (31.7%). Nematodes species were identified genetically from 16 samples, and in all other 37 samples nematodes were determined to the genus level. Three species of the genus Steinernema (Steinernema kraussei, S. feltiae, S. carpocapsae) and one of the genus Heterorhabditis (Heterorhabditis megidis) were recorded. Steinernema feltiae was the most common species. There was not a significant association between the occurrence of nematodes and season or altitude. The type of habitat significantly (P<0.05) affected the occurrence of nematodes. Nematodes were most frequent in samples collected from coniferous forests (20 findings). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, an epidemic disease that has severely damaged pine forests in East Asia. The disease has spread to northern areas in Asia and parts of Europe. To prevent disease spread as the forefront of damage prevention, a better understanding of infection status is highly important. Not all infected trees show disease symptoms, and such asymptomatic PWN-carrying trees are likely to be overlooked and can become a pathogen reservoir. To elucidate PWN infection status in asymptomatic trees, we performed PWN inspection of branches and trunks in 21 test trees in two different conditions: trees that had experienced PWN inoculation and those with suspected PWN infection that had experienced transient foliage discoloration. We detected PWNs in eight test trees (38%) and in 13 (1.5%) of a total of 843 samples. The difference in these percentages suggests that nematode inhabitation was highly localized within the trees, possibly owing to the restricted migration of PWNs. Our data demonstrated that trees that were once weakened but recovered their vigour can persist, as the asymptomatic carriers, in the forest. The implications for disease control are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first account of the effects of wetland reclamation on soil nematode assemblages were provided, three sites in Heihe River Basin of Northwest China, that is grass wetland (GW), Tamarix chinensis wetland (TW) and crop wetland (CW) treatments, were compared. Results showed that the majority of soil nematodes were presented in the 0-20 cm soil layers in CW treatments, followed by in the 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm layers in GW treatments. Plant-feeding nametodes were the most abundant trophic groups in each treatment, where GW (91.0%) > TW (88.1%) > CW (53.5%). Generic richness (GR) was lower in the TW (16) than that in GW (23) and CW (25). The combination of enrichment index (EI) and structure index (SI) showed that the soil food web in GW was more structured, and those in TW was stressed, while the enrichment soil food web was presented in the CW treatment. Several ecological indices which reflected soil community structure, diversity, Shannon-Weaver diversity (H′), Evenness (J′), Richness (GR) and modified maturity index (MMI) were found to be effective for assessing the response of soil namatode communities to soil of saline wetland reclamation. Furthermore, saline wetland reclamation also exerted great influence on the soil physical and chemical properties (pH, Electric conductivity (EC), Total organic carbon (TOC), Total nitrogen (Total-N) and Nitrate Nitrogen (N-NO)). These results indicated that the wetland reclamation had significantly effects on soil nematode community structure and soil properties in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses whether or not nematode assemblages inhabiting the soft sediment in abyssal nodule fields are unique and differ from those occurring in the nodule-free abyssal areas. This question is important for the evaluation of possible diversity losses caused by nodule mining operations. The analysis involved seven datasets at genus-level of nematode assemblages from three nodule-bearing abyssal areas in the Pacific (the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone or CCFZ, and the Peru Basin) and the Indian Ocean (CIOB), and five datasets from nodule-free abyssal regions (the Atlantic Ocean). Only individuals identified to valid genera were used in the analysis. Overall, more than 20,000 nematode individuals from 90 samples were analysed. The analyses showed that the nematode communities in the nodule fields did differ from those in the nodule-free abyss. The nodule fields are characterized by a higher microhabitat heterogeneity, which resulted in a higher diversity of nematode communities inhabiting the nodule fields. However, one set of dominant taxa (Monhysteridae,Microlaimus,Acantholaimus,TheristusandDesmoscolex) was identical for both the nodule-bearing and nodule-free abyss, although some genera were strongly and significantly associated with either the nodule-free abyss (Microlaimus) or the nodule-bearing abyssal regions (Capsula). On the other hand, nematode assemblages at nodule-bearing and nodule-free sites within the nodule-bearing abyss proved to be similar at the genus level. This makes it possible for the nodule-free sites to serve as donors of colonizers for the mining-impacted nodule-bearing abyss. However, this suggestion has to be treated with caution, because the species-level differences have not been tested yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anisakid nematodes are parasites with an indirect life cycle, involving many hosts, including cetaceans that act as definitive hosts. Identification at species level is crucial for a better understanding of the epidemiology and ecology of these parasites, but an accurate diagnosis based only on morphology is difficult. In Brazil, genetic characterization of anisakids is still rare, with Anisakis typica and A. physeteris being the only two species identified by genetic markers until now. The definitive hosts of A. nascettii are Mesoplodon grayi, M. bowdoini, M. layardii and M. mirus. Geographical locations of A. nascettii include the coasts of New Zealand, South Africa and Europe. In this study, a nematode was collected from a Gervais' beaked whale, Mesoplodon europaeus, stranded in Ceará State, north-east Brazil. Genetic analysis based on 18S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and mtDNA cox2 gene revealed 100% identity with Anisakis sp. U94365, 99% with Anisakis sp. (MP-2005 EU718477 A. nascettii) and 99% with A. nascettii DQ116431, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and cox2 sequences using both neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood methods provided strong support for a clade with only A. nascettii specimens. This study demonstrated for the first time the identification of A. nascettii in the Brazilian Atlantic Coast, revealing a wider geographical distribution of this parasite worldwide and extending the range of its definitive hosts to a new Mesoplodon species, M. europaeus, the Gervais' beaked whale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A population of Butlerius butleri Goodey, 1929 was isolated from vermicompost in Kerman in the Kerman Province of Iran during a nematode survey that was conducted during 2014. This population of B. butleri is characterized by the presence of a dorsal thorn-like tooth (4 to 5 μm long), long spicules (44 to 47 μm long), gubernaculum (33 to 37 μm or more than half of the spicule length), three pairs of precloacal papillae, five pairs of postcloacal papillae (papillae V3 and V5 comprising three small papillae), and a long filiform tail (304 to 409 μm in females, 312 to 380 mm in males). Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of B. butleri individuals from this Iranian population based on 18S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequence placed this species close to Pseudodiplogasteroides compositus (AB597237) and an unidentified Pseudodiplogasteroides species (AB597238). Measurements, illustrations, and the phylogenetic tree, including the position of B. butleri are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a new and two known species of Paroigolaimella collected from India. Paroigolaimella helalii n. sp. is characterized by having conspicuous sexual dimorphism in the stoma and pharynx, ovaries with a sphincter separating the mature oocyte from developing ones, a vagina leading to a strong ovijector, a pore-like vulva with cuticular flap; males with slender strongly arcuate spicules with dilated capitula; the gubernaculum slender with expanded plate-like distal end and nine pairs of genital papillae, and four to five pairs of copulatorymuscle bands. P. coprophila (Sudhaus and Rehfeld, 1990) Sudhaus and F€urst von Lieven, 2003 collected from leaf litter from a farmyard has been redescribed with reassessment of its distinguishing characters from P. bernensis. P. bodamica (Micoletzky, 1922) n. comb. has been described and its status has been discussed with context to P. bernensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) causes significant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) losses in the southeastern United States. The research objective was to describe the effects of two resistant G. barbadense lines (cultivar TX 110 and accession GB 713) on development and fecundity of reniform nematode. Nematode development and fecundity were evaluated on the resistant lines and susceptible G. hirsutum cultivar Deltapine 16 in three repeated growth chamber experiments. Nematode development on roots early and late in the infection cycle was measured at set intervals from 1 to 25 d after inoculation (DAI) and genotypes were compared based on the number of nematodes in four developmental stages (vermiform, swelling, reniform, and gravid). At 15, 20, and 25 DAI, egg production by individual females parasitizing each genotype was measured. Unique reniform nematode developmental patterns were noted on each of the cotton genotypes. During the early stages of infection, infection and development occurred 1 d faster on susceptible cotton than on the resistant genotypes. Later, progression to the reniform and gravid stages of development occurred first on the susceptible genotype, followed by G. barbadense cultivar TX 110, and finally G. barbadense accession GB 713. Egg production by individual nematodes infecting the three genotypes was similar. This study corroborates delayed development previously reported on G. barbadense cultivar TX 110 and is the first report of delayed infection and development associated with G. barbadense accession GB 713. The different developmental patterns in the resistant genotypes suggest that unique or additional loci may confer resistance in these two lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body size is a fundamental property of organisms but its distribution is almost unknown for marine nematodes. We measured the length and width of 7446 nematodes of 186 species to describe their morphological landscape and the relationship between abundance and body size. The body shape has a bimodal distribution with two morphotypes, suggesting adaptations to lifestyle. In fine sediments (seagrass bed), slender nematodes dominated, whereas sandy sediments had mostly stout nematodes but also slender forms. Seaweed turf from hard bottom substrates may favour mostly slender nematodes, whereas dead coral harbours both morphotypes, probably as a result of high heterogeneity of the substrate. The size spectra of abundance vs mass class shows a negative exponential relationship, suggesting that the energetic equivalence hypothesis holds for nematodes. The shape and position of the size spectra depended on the type of habitat. Body size is an important organismal trait that offers valuable information for disentangling ecological patterns in Nematoda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes of the genus Trichinella are widely distributed throughout the world in omnivorous and carnivorous animals (mammals, birds, and reptiles) and in incidental hosts. To prevent the transmission of these zoonotic parasites to humans, meat samples from Trichinella spp. susceptible animals are tested at the slaughterhouse or in game processing plants. The aim of the present review was to collect documented cases on Trichinella infected animals, meat, or meat derived products which reached the international trade or were illegally introduced from one to another country in personal baggage. In the course of the last 60 years in the international literature, there have been 43 reports of importation of Trichinella spp. infected animals or meat, most of which (60%, 26/43) related to live horses or their meat. Meat or meat derived products from pigs, wild boar and bears, account only for 18.6% (8/43), 4.7% (3/43), and 14.3% (6/43), respectively. However, only live horses or their meat intended for human consumption, meat from a single wild boar, and live polar bears caught in the wild for zoos, were imported through the international market; whereas, meat from pigs, wild boars and bears were illegally introduced in a country in personal baggage. Trichinella infected animals or meat which were officially or illegally introduced in a country were the source of 3443 Trichinella infections in humans in a 40-year period (1975–2014). Most of these infections (96.8%) have been linked to horsemeat consumption, whereas meat from pigs, wild boars and bears accounted only for 2.2%, 0.7% and 0.3% of cases, respectively. This review shows the Trichinella spp. risk in the international animal and meat trade has been linked mainly to horses and only one time to wild boar, if they carcasses are not adequately tested, whereas pigs and other wild animals or their derived products infected with Trichinella spp. are unlikely to reach the international market by the official animal and meat trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of this paper are to clarify the taxonomic status of the fig-pollinating wasp associate Schistonchus sensu lato (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) and to suggest directions for future research on the systematics, life history and ecology of the group. Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest that Schistonchus s.l. is polyphyletic, and the composition of the three major clades is outlined, together with information on nematode morphology, plant host species, associated pollinating wasp species, and distribution. Biological information and collection data is presented for Schistonchus s.l. from Ficus sycones (Moracea) in Africa, Australia, Asia and Central America, and its putative phylogeny is discussed based on molecular and morphological evidence. Both wasps and figs are millions of years old and have worldwide distribution in tropical areas, i.e., opportunities for Schistonchus s.l.-like nematodes to have evolved could have occurred more than once. In addition, figs and their pollinating wasps have variable life histories, which could have provided opportunities for Schistonchus s.l. to also develop different life histories. However, these histories occur inside fig sycones and in association with wasps, which has apparently led to evolutionary convergence and extreme morphological conservatism. Diagnostic characters and their states, derived from examination of described species and morphospecies of Schistonchus s.l. and informed by molecular phylogenetic inferences, are discussed and illustrated. Schistonchus sensu stricto is redefined, and Ficophagus n. gen. and Martininema n. gen. are proposed. Schistonchus s.s. is morphologically characterised by having the excretory pore opening in the region of, or posterior to, the metacorpus; Ficophagus n. gen. by having the excretory pore opening very near the cephalic region; and Martininema n. gen. by having it opening at the anterior end of the metacorpus. Several species of Schistonchus s.s. have a labial disc, but there is no evidence of this in either Ficophagus n. gen. or Martininema n. gen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research study about the parasitic nematode infection of lizard species, Pletiodon, from Japan. Topics cited include the geographic and parapatric distribution patterns of nematodes, the host-parasite relationship, the level of nematode species identification, host taxonomy, and the prevalence and mean intensity of infection.

The article discusses the study about the nematode species of gastrointestinal helminths found in skink, Sphenomorphus, from Papua New Guinea. Topics cited include the mean helminth species per skink species, the prevalence and intensity of endoparasitic infection, the description and temporal distribution of helminth species, and the host, localities, temporal distribution, mean intensity, and range of skinks.

The article discusses the study about the prevalence of helminth nematodes, Spiroxys contortus and Falcaustra affinis, in slider turtle, Trachemys dorbigni, in southern Brazil. Topics cited include a description of both nematodes, the geographic distribution of the nematodes as a parasite of several turtle species, nematodes morphology, and taxonomic summary.

AIM: To compare the prevalence ofNematodirus spathigerandN.filicollison a sample of farms in the lower South Island with the lower and central North Island of New Zealand by way of a presence/absence survey. METHODS: A presence/absence non-random survey was conducted in which pooled faeces from lambs from 50 farms in the lower and central North Island (n=22) and lower South Island (n=28) were cultured, with and without a post-culture period of chilling, to produce third-stage parasitic nematode larvae (L3). After recovery using the Baermann technique, individual L3 were identified toNematodirusspp. using a PCR assay. This identified the species that were present on each farm that were then used to compare the regions. RESULTS:Nematodirus filicolliswas present in 38/50 (76%) samples from whichNematodirusspp. larvae were cultured, compared with 50/50 (100%) in the case ofN. spathiger. No regional differences were observed in the prevalence of either species (p=0.74). Of theNematodirusspp. L3 recovered from the unchilled samples, 415/428 (97%) wereN.spathigerand 13/428 (3%)N. filicollis. After chilling 594/695 (85%) of theNematodirusspp. L3 wereN.spathigerand 101/695 (15%) wereN.filicollis. CONCLUSION: Despite the non-random nature of the study, the evidence suggests that both these species are likely to occur sympatrically on most sheep farms throughout New Zealand. In generalN. filicolliseggs did not hatch without a period of chilling and this has implications for the identification of these larvae using conventional culture methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most populations of crop pathogens have wild relative populations from which they can originate but for which basic knowledge of their ecological requirements in natura is scarce. However, the study of spatial distribution and ecology of wild pathogen populations may help control them in crops through a better understanding of the environmental factors driving population dynamics. Here, we focused on Heterodera schachtii and H. betae, two cyst nematodes that cause severe damage to sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris) crops and can develop on a wild beet relative, the sea beet (B. vulgaris ssp. maritima). We investigated the occurrence of both nematode species in the wild and explored some environmental factors that may influence their geographical distribution. To do so, we sampled the wild host B. v. ssp. maritima along the European Atlantic and North Sea coastlines. Results showed that H. schachtii mainly occurred in the colder environments of northern Europe, whereas H. betae was preferentially distributed in the warm environments of southern Europe. It was previously established that H. betae only recently appeared in The Netherlands, which are in the north of Europe. Thus, our results do not support this hypothesis. Overall, this study accurately documents the geographical occurrence of two nematode crop pest species in the wild and helps identify the main environmental factors affecting their distribution range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plesiotype specimens of the European dagger nematode, Xiphinema diversicaudatum, were collected in Saratov, Russia, and morphologically, morphometrically and molecularly characterised. PCR with specific primer was developed for rapid diagnostics of this species. Phylogenese relationships of X. diversicaudatum with other Xiphinema species, as inferred from the analyses of the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and coxl mtDNA gene sequences, are also provided. The study revealed that the clade X. diversicaudatum, together with X. bakeri (North America) and X. chengi (Asia), is related to Xiphinema species from the Mediterranean region and likely originated from a common ancestor inhabiting this area. The phylogenetic reconstructions with coxl mtDNA were used to describe the pattern of present genetic diversity of X. diversicaudatum and infer its biogeographical history in Europe. Haplotype diversity of X. diversicaudatum populations from Central Europe was significantly higher than those from southeastern Europe, central, south-eastern and southern European Russia. It has been hypothesised that, during the Last Glacial Maximum, X. diversicaudatum populations probably persisted in refuge areas in the Carpathian mountains or the Alps, the species subsequently expanding from these areas and colonising other regions in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Recently, Trichinella nativa was identified in foxes in Germany and Poland, indicating that the geographical distribution of T. nativa is not restricted to areas north of the isotherm −4°C in January. In the European Union, legislation requires that a regular monitoring of the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in indicator animals such as foxes or raccoon dogs be carried out. The Trichinella isolates must also be identified on a species level. The multiplex PCR recommended by the Community Reference Laboratory for Trichinella allows species identification, yet the differentiation of T. nativa and Trichinella britovi, a widespread Trichinella species in the temperate regions of Europe, is unstable. We therefore describe an easy and reliable method for the differentiation of the two species, which can be utilised to monitor a potential spread of T. nativa in Central Europe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]