Taxonomy and Systematics of Bursaphelenchus Nematodes.

Kanzaki N.

doi:10.4005/jjfs.88.392

The genus Bursaphelenchus, a group of mostly obligate mycophagous nematodes, has been considered a potential risk to cultivated conifers and palms and natural forest trees, because the genus contains two lethal plant pathogens, pinewood nematode (B. xylophilus) and red ring nematode (B. cocophilus). Recently, the importance of the taxonomy and identification of this genus has been re-realized due to the accidental introduction of B. xylophilus into Europe. In this context, the current systematic status of the genus Bursaphelenchus is reviewed and compared. There are about 80 morphologically and ecologically divergent species of Bursaphelenchus that are classified into several groups according to their morphology and/or molecular phylogenetic traits. The present morphological taxonomic system, which focuses on the spicule morphology (male secondary characteristics) was compared with the results of molecular phylogenetic analysis. This comparison demonstrated that the spicule morphology partly reflects the inferred molecular phylogenetic relationships of these nematodes, however convergence of spicule morphologies were observed in several morphological groups. In addition, comparisons between life history traits and molecular phylogeny suggested that the phoretic relationships between Bursaphelenchus and different insects have independently occurred several times in this genus.

Taxonomy and Systematics of Bursaphelenchus Nematodes.

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