Morphological characterisation and diagnostics of Xiphinema non-americanum group species (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from Romania using mutiplex PCR

Additional data on the occurrence and distribution of Xiphinema non-americanum group species in Romania are provided. Xiphinema diversicaudatum, X. index, X. vuittenezi and X. italiae were recovered from vineyards and cherry fruit trees; adults and juvenile stages were described and analysed and the morphology/variability discussed. Multiplex PCR diagnostic test using species-specific primers designed by Wang et al. (2003) yielded amplification products with expected lengths for all screened populations of these four species. Two ribosomal markers (D2-D3 28 LSU rDNA and ITS) were sequenced and ITS RFLP patterns were obtained from two X. vuittenezi populations, which have shown some morphological differences. Comparatively low level of interpopulation genetic dissimilarity (<1 %) was revealed for both markers (for D2D3 - 0.5 %; for ITS - 0.7 %). Both populations of X. vuittenezi studied produced identical ITS-RFLP specific pattern that clearly identify this species.