Dolichodorus

Dolichodorus	Contents	Rev 10/20/2008
Awl Nematode	Classification	Hosts
	Morphology and Anatomy	Life Cycle
Return to Dolichodorus Menu	Economic Importance	Damage
	Distribution	Management
Return to Dolichodoridae Menu	Feeding	References

      Tylenchida
       Tylenchina
        Tylenchoidea
         Dolichodoridae
         Dolichodorus (Cobb, 1914)

    Synonyms:
      None.

Large, slender nematodes with cylindroid bodies.

No secondary sexual dimorphism, sexually reproducing.

Cuticle distinctly annulated, lateral field with three or four incisors.

Labial region distinctly off-set and annulated (rarely smooth). Labial sclerotization strong, with very thick basal plate and thick arches.

Stylet long (50 to 160 µm), strong, cone longer than shaft.

Esophagus with amalgamated pro-metacorpus, short isthmus and pyriform glandular region not overlapping the intestine.

Amphid apertures small slits laterally or dorso-ventrally directed.

Females: Tail rounded to hemispherical with spike-like extension, rarely elongate-conoid.

Females with two genital branches, columned uterus with four rows of cells; vagina very heavily sclerotized.

Males: Caudal alae are wing-like and tri-lobed. Spicules most generally with prominent flanges. Gubernaculum apparently protruding.

Currently about 15 species described for the genus, mainly from wet, sandy soil locations.

D-rated pests in California except for Dolichodorus heterocephalus which is A-rated..

Obligate migratory ectoparasites of plant roots.

Luc & Fortuner, 1987. Rev. Nematol. 10(2):177-181.

H. Ferris