Morphological Comparison of Three Host Races of Meloidogyne javanica
Rammah, A.; Hirschmann, H.
Journal of Nematology 22(1): 56-68
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-300X PMID: 19287689 Document Number: 360783
A morphological and morphometric comparison using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was made of 6 populations of Meloidogyne javanica belonging to 3 host races (infective on pepper (Capsicum frutescens), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), or noninfective on both). The variability of certain morphological characters was studied within these populations, and the reliability of these taxonomic traits was evaluated for usefulness in species identification. The most useful diagnostic characters of M. javanica were head and stylet morphology of males and stylet morphology and perineal patterns of females. Males have an offset head region, usually lacking annulations, and a distinct, narrow head cap with slightly raised labial disc. The stylet has a cone markedly wider than the shaft at the junction and large, transversely ovoid knobs. Perineal patterns are oval to squarish in shape, usually with coarse, broken striae and with conspicuous lateral lines. The host races could not be differentiated on a morphological basis.