Basilaphelenchus hyrcanus n. sp. (Rhabditida: Tylaphelenchinae) associated with bark of a beech tree (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) from northern Iran.

Basilaphelenchus hyrcanus n. sp., the sixth species of the newly established genus was isolated during a nematode survey associated with bark samples of beech tree in northern Iran, which differs from the other species by body size, stylet length, metacorpus structure, and tail characters of both genders. The new species is also characterized by elevated cephalic region with sclerotised vestibule, posteriorly directed stylet knobs, well-developed metacorpus filling corresponding body region, position of excretory pore at the level of base of metacarpus, length of post uterine sac by 38-60 µm long, conoid elongate tail by sharp to finely rounded tip in female. Based upon the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of partial 18 S and D2-D3 28 S rDNA segments, the new species mostly resembles B. magnabulbus. However, B. hyrcanus n. sp. is clearly different from this species by having a longer stylet, different position of the excretory pore, a different male tail tip characters and 4.4 and 13.2% sequence divergences in 18 S and D2-D3 28 S, respectively.

Early transcriptional responses to soybean cyst nematode HG Type 0 show genetic differences among resistant and susceptible soybeans.

KEY MESSAGE: Root transcriptome profiling of three soybean cultivars and a wild relative infected with soybean cyst nematode at migratory phase revealed differential resistance pathway responses between resistant and susceptible genotypes. The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is the most serious pathogen of soybean production throughout the world. Using resistant cultivars is the primary management strategy against SCN infestation. To gain insight into the still obscure mechanisms of genetic resistance to nematodes in different soybean genotypes, RNA-Seq profiling of the roots of Glycine max cv. Peking, Fayette, Williams 82, and a wild relative (Glycine soja PI 468916) was performed during SCN infection at the migratory phase. The analysis showed statistically significant changes of expression beginning at eight hours after inoculation in genes associated with defense mechanisms and pathways, such as the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, plant innate immunity and hormone signaling. Our results indicate the importance of the early plant response to migratory phase nematodes in pathogenicity determination. The transcriptome changes occurring during early SCN infection included a number of genes and pathways specific to the different resistant genotypes. We observed the most extensive resistant transcriptome reaction in PI 468916, where the resistant response was qualitatively different from that of commonly used G. max varieties.

An updated and annotated checklist of the Tylenchulidae (Nematoda: Criconematoidea) of Iran.

The list of plant parasitic nematodes of the family Tylenchulidae, collected from Iran, is updated. Forty-one species belonging to five genera and three subfamilies are included in the list. Data for seven species of Paratylenchus are added, of which two species-P. perminimus and P. salubris-are new records for the Iranian nematofauna. The list of species, further information on their morphometrics, references to full or partial descriptions, associated plants, geographical distribution and some taxonomic remarks are provided. More detailed studies on some doubtful populations are added. Information on the taxonomic position of species in different classification schemes, as well as the preferences of some species for certain climatic conditions or ecological niches is provided.

Morphological characterization of Trichotylenchus gorganiensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Dolichodoridae) and photomicrographs of several other species of the subfamily Telotylenchinae Siddiqi, 1960.

Trichotylenchus gorganiensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological and morphometric data. The new species is characterized by its 760-1073 µm long body, conoid-rounded lip region continuous with the body contour and bearing 5-7 fine striae, 22.0-24.5 µm long stylet, basal pharyngeal bulb offset or slightly overlapping intestine, post-anal sac extending 50-73 % of the tail region, and cylindrical or subclavate tail with a striated terminus. Differences of the new species from the closely related species T. astriatus, T. astriatoides, T. changlingensis and T. papyrus are discussed. Photomicrographs and several taxonomic notes on 13 other species of Telotylenchinae, collected from Iran, are provided.

Description of Aphelenchoides macrospica n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Northwestern Iran.

Aphelenchoides macrospica n. sp. is described and illustrated from the West Azerbayjan province, northwestern Iran. The new species is characterized by its body length of 807 to 963 µm (males) and 792 to 1,094 µm (females), offset cephalic region, lateral fields with four incisures, long stylet with 15 to 16 µm length, and excretory pore situated opposite or behind the nerve ring. Pharyngeal glands overlapping intestine dorsally and extending for 90 to 121 µm, tail terminus mucronate in both sexes. Vagina directed anteriad, and spicules are relatively large (27-32 µm) with well-developed broadly rounded apex and condylus. The new species comes close to seven known species of the genus namely A. arcticus, A. blastophthorus, A. haguei, A. huntensis, A. lucknowensis, A. parasaprophilus, and A. xui, but it differs from them by the body size, stylet length, size of spicules, and length of postvulval uterine sac. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of 28S and 18S rDNA, confirmed its status as a new species.

Molecular and morphological characterization of Veleshkinema iranicum n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina, Sphaerularioidea) from Iran.

Veleshkinema  iranicum n. gen., n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. The new genus is characterized by having slender females and males, stylet with asymmetrical knobs, dorsal gland orifice just posterior to subventral knob, lip region with flattened apex and eight sectors, pharynx with a non-muscular and non-valvular median bulb, pharyngeal glands slightly overlapping intestine dorsally, visible cellular cardia, female with a single gonad having a quadricolumellate crustaformeria with 8-10 cells in each column, no postvulval uterine sac and rounded and offset spermatheca containing spheroid sperm cells, males with arcuate tylenchoid spicules and subterminal bursa. The new genus is morphologically compared with four genera: Abursanema, Deladenus, Prothallonema and Sphaerularia. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the new genus using 808 bp partial sequences of SSU ribosomal RNA gene placed the new genus in a clade with Sphaerularia spp. In phylogenetic analyses using 756 bp partial sequences of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene (D2-D3 segments), the new genus formed a monophyletic group with Abursanema iranicum and Sphaerularia spp.

Laimaphelenchus hyrcanus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), a new species from northern Iran.

Laimaphalenchus hyrcanus n. sp., from bark samples of cypress (Cupressus sp.) and jujube (Ziziphus jujube Miller) from Gorgan, Golestan province in northern Iran, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular characters. The new species is characterized by females with 670-870 µm body length, slender stylet of 11-12 µm, six-lobed cephalic region not divided by ribs, three incisures in the lateral field with slightly areolated outer lines in the posterior region, cuticular vulval flap, males with two pairs of caudal papillae, and subcylindrical tail in both sexes ending in a single stalk-like terminus with four pedunculate tubercles bearing 9-10 finger-like projections. The new species most closely resembles L. persicus and L. penardi but it can be differentiated by its having three incisures in the lateral field and two pairs of caudal papillae in males. Molecular analysis of the D2/D3 region of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene indicates a sister-taxon relationship with L. penardi (Steiner, 1914) Filipjev & Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1941 and L. deconincki Elmiligy & Geraert, 1972.