Molecular characterization ofX. brevicollum (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from Czech Republic.

Populations of Xiphinema brevicollum occurring in the Czech Republic were described morphologically and molecularly. Published species specific primer set BL18 and BV3 was used to amplify three populations of X. brevicollum from the Czech Republic. These primers were tested against 9 species of Xiphinema and 11 species of Longidorus. Amplification was also observed for X. inaequale, X. italiae and X. lambertii. Three additional markers, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, ribosomal D2/D3 expansion segment of the 28S gene and 18S gene, were amplified and sequenced for X. brevicollum, X. inaequale and X. lambertii belonging to X. americanum-group. Comparison of cox1 sequences of X. brevicollum from the Czech Republic with X. taylori from the Slovak Republic (accession number AM086702) suggested that these populations represent the same species.