Vittatidera zeaphila (Nematoda: Heteroderidae), a new genus and species of cyst nematode parasitic on corn (Zea mays).
A new genus and species of cyst nematode, Vittatidera zeaphila, is described from Tennessee. The new genus is superficially similar to Cactodera but is distinguished from other cyst-forming taxa in having a persistent lateral field in females and cysts, persistent vulval lips covering a circumfenestrate vulva, and subventral gland nuclei of the female contained in a separate small lobe. Infective juveniles (J2) are distinguished from all previously described Cactodera spp. by the short stylet in the second-stage juvenile (14-17 μm); J2 of Cactodera spp. have stylets at least 18 μm long. The new species also is unusual in that the females produce large egg masses. Known hosts are corn and goosegrass. DNA analysis suggests that Vittatidera forms a separate group apart from other cyst-forming genera within Heteroderinae.
Entomology & Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, 205 Plant Sciences, Knoxville, TN 37996-4560, USA. ebernard@utk.edu
Ernest C
EC
Bernard
Zafar A
ZA
Handoo
Thomas O
TO
Powers
Patricia A
PA
Donald
Robert D
RD
Heinz