Molecular phylogeny of the genus Rotylenchus (Nematoda, Tylenchida) and description of a new species

17 pages, 8 figures.A description of a new species of plant parasitic nematodes of the genus Rotylenchus from the family Hoplolaimidae is given and a recognition of Rotylenchus jaeni comb. n., previously known as subspecies R. magnus jaeni, as separate species is proposed. Rotylenchus montanus sp. n. is characterized by a hemispherical lip region with six rarely seven annuli, stylet 33–37 µm, female tail rounded, regularly annulated tip with 12–18 annuli and phasmid located 2–9 annuli anterior to anus. Rotylenchus montanus sp. n. is close to species of the monosexual group R. arsenjevi, R. corsicus, R. fragaricus, R. helicus, R. indorobustus and R. neorobustus, by a number of specific characteristics resulting from its specific matrix code: A5, B1, C1, D4, E2, F2, G3, H2, I2, J2, K2. Molecular characterization of R. montanus sp. n. and other Rotylenchus species are provided using D2–D3 expansion segments of 28S and the ITS1 of rRNA genes. The D2–D3 of 28S rRNA and the ITS1–rRNA sequences of R. montanus sp. n. differed in one nucleotide and in 16–20 nucleotides from those of an unidentified Rotylenchus species from Russia, respectively. Molecular analysis of populations of R. magnus and R. jaeni comb. n. demonstrated differences in the D2–D3 and the ITS1–rRNA sequences. These genetic differences together with some minor morphological characters support that both subspecies should be considered as two cryptic sibling species and warranted their elevation to species rank. The result of phylogenetic analysis of Hoplolaimidae for 45 sequences of the D2 and D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA gene using Bayesian inference analysis under the complex model is presented. Phylogenetic tree of Rotylenchus species represents seven moderate to highly supported lineages. Grouping of Rotylenchus species within other hoplolaimids and analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Rotylenchus using the ITS1 of rRNA gene sequences are also discussed.The second author acknowledges support from NSF PEET grant DEB-0731516, and the fifth author acknowledges support from Consejería de Innovación Ciencia y Empresa (CICE) of Junta de Andalucía grant P06-AGR-01360.Peer reviewe

Drivers of the Ectoparasite Community and Co-Infection Patterns in Rural and Urban Burrowing Owls

We analyzed the ectoparasite community of a monomorphic and non-social bird, the burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia, breeding in rural and urban habitats. Such community was composed by two lice, one mite and one flea species. Rural individuals had more fleas and less mites than urban ones. Adult birds harbored less ectoparasites than young ones and females harbored more lice than males. The presence of lice was positively related to the presence of fleas. On the contrary, the presence of mites was negatively related to the presence of fleas and lice. The study of parasite communities in urban and rural populations of the same species can shed light on how urban stressor factors impact the physiology of wildlife inhabiting cities and, therefore, the host-parasite relationships. Urbanization creates new ecological conditions that can affect biodiversity at all levels, including the diversity and prevalence of parasites of species that may occupy these environments. However, few studies have compared bird-ectoparasite interactions between urban and rural individuals. Here, we analyze the ectoparasite community and co-infection patterns of urban and rural burrowing owls, Athene cunicularia, to assess the influence of host traits (i.e., sex, age, and weight), and environmental factors (i.e., number of conspecifics per nest, habitat type and aridity) on its composition. Ectoparasites of burrowing owls included two lice, one flea, and one mite. The overall prevalence for mites, lice and fleas was 1.75%, 8.76% and 3.50%, respectively. A clear pattern of co-infection was detected between mites and fleas and, to less extent, between mites and lice. Adult owls harbored fewer ectoparasites than nestlings, and adult females harbored more lice than males. Our results also show that mite and flea numbers were higher when more conspecifics cohabited the same burrow, while lice showed the opposite pattern. Rural individuals showed higher flea parasitism and lower mite parasitism than urban birds. Moreover, mite numbers were negatively correlated with aridity and host weight. Although the ectoparasitic load of burrowing owls appears to be influenced by individual age, sex, number of conspecifics per nest, and habitat characteristics, the pattern of co-infection found among ectoparasites could also be mediated by unexplored factors such as host immune response, which deserves further research

The neglected role of LITHOlogy in the response of Mediterranean FORest ecosystems to climate change: rationale and endorsing results from project LITHOFOR

XV Congreso Nacional de la AEET (El valor ,de la Naturaleza para una sociedad global), 18-21 de octubre, Plasencia, Cáceres.One of the main concerns of ecologists is to understand which factors (biogeographical, physiographical, disturbance, etc.) control ecosystem structure and function. It is surprising that lithology has rarely been considered despite its potential cascading effects on resource availability and ecological conditions. The project LITHOFOR aims to shed light on the role of lithology in forest ecosystem responses to climate change by focusing on pine (Pinus pinaster), Andalusian-fir (Abies pinsapo) and cork-oak (Quercus suber) forests across the unique natural laboratory representedby the Baetic and Rif ranges (S. Spain- N.-Morocco). In the western Mediterranean-Alborán region, climate conditions shift from hyperhumid to semiarid in scarcely a hundred kilometers along West to East longitudinal gradients, and its world-wide renowned geotectonic and lithological complexity allows for abundant forest stands across contrasting lithological contacts. The project is a coordinated multidisciplinary effort of forest ecologists, plant physiologists, geologists, soil scientists, biodiversity researchers and modelers to compare forest structure and functio n among three contrasting lithologies (carbonated, metapelites and ultramafic rocks). Results illustrate that lithological types influence the shape and intensity of patterns along climatic gradients (and in respo nse to drought) for variables as stand structure, tree growth, foliar and root functional traits, litter decomposition and nutrient cycling, and bi ological communities composition (plants, soil nematodes and microbes). This advocates that litho/edaphological factors deserve greater attention

Host suitability of some crucifers for root-knot nematodes in southern Spain

4 pages, 1 table.-- Full-text version of the paper available at: http://www.ias.csic.es/pcastillo/nematology-6-125.pdfSix crucifer species as potential cover crops, Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata line C-101), turnip (Brassica rapa cv. Norfolk), radish (Raphanus sativus), wild rocket (Eruca vesicaria), wild cabbage (Moricandia moricandioides) and white mustard (Sinapis alba), were tested for susceptibility to Meloidogyne arenaria race 2, M. incognita race 1 and M. javanica. Experiments were conducted under glasshouse conditions at 22-28°C for 2 months after inoculation of plants with eggs and second-stage juveniles. All crucifers were infected by Meloidogyne spp. The nematode and crucifer species significantly influenced the severity of root galling and nematode reproduction. Among the plants tested, turnip was the most suitable host for all three Meloidogyne spp. as indicated by severity of root galling and nematode reproduction. The least suitable hosts were wild rocket for M. arenaria, radish for M. incognita and white mustard for M. javanica. The reproduction fitness of M. javanica was greater than that of M. arenaria race 2 and M. incognita race 1 on all plants.Research was supported by grant CAO-00-019-C5-05 from Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnologías Agroalimentarias (INIA) of Spain.Peer reviewe

SEM studies on the Mediterranean olive root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne baetica, and histopathology on two additional natural hosts

6 pages, 2 figures.-- Full-text version available at: http://www.ias.csic.es/pcastillo/nematology-6-749-754.pdfSEM studies on a Meloidogyne baetica population provided additional details of the external morphology for female, male and second-stage juveniles. The labial disc in female and male specimens is fused with the medial lips forming a single structure. In second-stage juveniles the lateral lips are triangular with rounded margins. The amphidial opening for all life stages appears oval to rectangular in shape and is located between the labial disc and lateral lips. Lateral fields of male and second-stage juveniles have four incisures irregularly areolated along the entire body. The results of a host-range study for additional natural hosts of M. baetica conducted in wild olive communities growing at Vejer de la Frontera (Cádiz province) in southern Spain are also reported. Apart from the type host, M. baetica was found to infect two natural woody host plants, lentisc (Pistacia lentiscus) and Aristolochia baetica. Hostparasite relationships in these new hosts confirmed the typical susceptible reaction observed in wild and cultivated olives. Similarly, the reproductive fitness, evaluated as the number of eggs per egg mass, was not significantly different in all plant hosts. No infections or galled roots were observed in herbaceous plant species studied and M. baetica must therefore be considered as a parasite of woody plants.Peer reviewe

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Rotylenchus (Nematoda, Tylenchida) and description of a new species

17 pages, 8 figures.A description of a new species of plant parasitic nematodes of the genus Rotylenchus from the family Hoplolaimidae is given and a recognition of Rotylenchus jaeni comb. n., previously known as subspecies R. magnus jaeni, as separate species is proposed. Rotylenchus montanus sp. n. is characterized by a hemispherical lip region with six rarely seven annuli, stylet 33–37 µm, female tail rounded, regularly annulated tip with 12–18 annuli and phasmid located 2–9 annuli anterior to anus. Rotylenchus montanus sp. n. is close to species of the monosexual group R. arsenjevi, R. corsicus, R. fragaricus, R. helicus, R. indorobustus and R. neorobustus, by a number of specific characteristics resulting from its specific matrix code: A5, B1, C1, D4, E2, F2, G3, H2, I2, J2, K2. Molecular characterization of R. montanus sp. n. and other Rotylenchus species are provided using D2–D3 expansion segments of 28S and the ITS1 of rRNA genes. The D2–D3 of 28S rRNA and the ITS1–rRNA sequences of R. montanus sp. n. differed in one nucleotide and in 16–20 nucleotides from those of an unidentified Rotylenchus species from Russia, respectively. Molecular analysis of populations of R. magnus and R. jaeni comb. n. demonstrated differences in the D2–D3 and the ITS1–rRNA sequences. These genetic differences together with some minor morphological characters support that both subspecies should be considered as two cryptic sibling species and warranted their elevation to species rank. The result of phylogenetic analysis of Hoplolaimidae for 45 sequences of the D2 and D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA gene using Bayesian inference analysis under the complex model is presented. Phylogenetic tree of Rotylenchus species represents seven moderate to highly supported lineages. Grouping of Rotylenchus species within other hoplolaimids and analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Rotylenchus using the ITS1 of rRNA gene sequences are also discussed.The second author acknowledges support from NSF PEET grant DEB-0731516, and the fifth author acknowledges support from Consejería de Innovación Ciencia y Empresa (CICE) of Junta de Andalucía grant P06-AGR-01360.Peer reviewe

Longidorella Thorne 1939

Longidorella Also bearing a long odontostyle, this genus differs from Oriverutus in the morphology of lip region (versus lips not lobe-like and perioral area scarcely differentiated), and larger (versus usually three times the lip region width long or more, but occasionally shorter) and more slender (flexible) odontostyle. Besides, Longidorella species are, in general, smaller and stouter; and their tail is conical and regularly curved ventrad, more rarely straight ventrally or conoid to rounded.Published as part of Peña-Santiago, Reyes, Liébanas, Gracia & Ahmad, Wasim, 2014, Taxonomy of the genus Oriverutus Siddiqi, 1971 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida: Nordiidae), pp. 1253-1278 in Journal of Natural History 48 (21) on page 1269, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2013.861942, http://zenodo.org/record/400689