NEMATOLOGY 100
Laboratory Exercise 8
Rev. 10/24/2008

Purpose:  Migratory endoparasitic nematodes:  morphology, anatomy, biology, feeding habits -- Hoplolaimidae, Pratylenchidae (Tylenchida, Tylenchoidea)

     1.   Slide presentation of characteristics.

     2.   Hand-pick live adults of the Helicotylenchus sp. and Pratylenchus sp. Draw the nematodes, observing the following characteristic features:

          a)   stylet length and morphology.
          b)   esophagus, type and anatomy, nature of  postcorpus interface with intestine.
          c)   male and female reproductive structures.
          d)   general shape when heat-relaxed.

     3.   Key the specimens of Pratylenchus provided to species using the key to the nine common Pratylenchus species of California.

     4.   Note the taxonomic position of these nematodes in the order Tylenchida.

     5.   Examine descriptive charts of the migratory endoparasitic nematodes in the Hoplolaimidae and Pratylenchidae.

     6. Movie

Behavior of Pratylenchus penetrans

     7.  Study photographs of characteristics and damage by migratory endoparasites: Pratylenchus

     8.  Lab Project

               Powerpoint presentation: Nematodes as Bioindicators.

     9.   Homework Assignment:

          NEMAPLEX Exercise
          Main Menu:
               Select...Biology and Taxonomy
                Select..Phylogenetic Classification
                 Select...Tylenchida
               Select...Hoplolaimidae
                           Review Hoplolaimus including some of the species
                           Review Scutellonema including some of the species

               Select...Pratylenchidae
                           Review Pratylenchus including some of the species
            Return to Main Menu
            
     10.  NEMABASE Exercise
         Determine the host range for the genus Pratylenchus.
         In Nemabase select "All Plants" and "Genus" Pratylenchus.  Set "Host" filter to Host.  Process.

 

 

NEMATOLOGY 100

Key to the Nine Common Pratylenchus Species in California

1.  Monosexual species, no sperm in spermatheca, males rare or unknown. 2
Bisexual species, sperm in most spermatheca, males common. 7
2. Very large, round stylet knobs, stylet averages 19 µm in length; V% 82-89; 2 lip annules P. brachyurus
Stylet knobs oval or flattened, stylet generally less than 19 µm long 3
3. Tail tip annulated, 3 lip annules P. crenatus
Tail tip smooth 4
4 Lip annules 2 5
Lip annules 3 6
5 Average V%=84, lip annules about same width; stylet knobs often flattened; vulval lips somewhat smooth P. neglectus
Average V%=78%, anterior lip annules markedly narrower than posterior; vulval lips protrude somewhat P. scribneri
6 Tail normally truncate, stylet averages 18 µm in length;  V% averages 76; normally assumes a "J" or "C" shape when heat killed P. zeae
Tail narrowly rounded, stylet averages 16 µm in length;  V% averages 71; normally almost straight when heat killed P. thornei
7 Lip annules 2, occasionally 3 on one side P. coffeae
Lip annules 3, occasionally 4 on one side 8
8 Spermatheca normally round, posterior uterine branch 1 to 1.5 body widths long; large stylet knobs P. penetrans
Spermatheca normally oval, posterior uterine branch generally greater than 2 body widths long; moderate sized stylet knobs P. vulnus

 

Return to Nematology 100 Menu