MORPHOLOGY AND MORPHOMETRICS OF ITALIAN POPULATIONS OF BURSAPHELENCHUS SPECIES

Abstract

Observations are reported on the morphology and morphometrics of Italian populations of Bursaphelenchus spp. Associated with Pinus spp. In Bursaphelenchus leoni males a small ventral preanal papilla was detected, that had not previously observed; SEM revealed the presence of a knob-like appendage on the spicule distal end of B. sexdentati, a morphological character that had not previously been described. B. teratospicularis, recorded for the first time in Italy, is described in details. Selected morphometric characters are described of two populations of B. leoni, seven of B. mucronatus, three of B. sexdentati and two of B. teratospicularis.