Rev 07/02/2024
Tylenchida Tylenchina Tylenchoidea Meloidogynidae Meloidogyninae
Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead, 1968
Redescribed by Carneiro et al. (2004) on the basis of comparing the populations from Brazil with populations from Chile and Kenya identified as M. ethiopica (CABI International).
Synonyms:
Based on molecular analysis, Meloidogyne brasiliensis is considered a junior synonym of M. ethiopica (Monteiro et al., 2017; Subbotin et al. 2021)
Review general characteristics of the genus Meloidogyne.
Female:
Body ovoid to pear-shaped. Body cuticle distinctly annulated.
Head region set off, with distinct, labial disc, squarish and elevated. Raised labial disc, separated from lateral and medial lips. Lateral lips triangular, separated from the head region. Stylet robust.
Excretory pore located between dorsal pharyngeal gland orifice and metacorpus.
Perineal pattern oval to square striae coarse, widely separated, usually continuous, smooth to wavy.
Dorsal arch moderately high to high, rounded to square.
Tail terminus sometimes distinct, with or without very fine, broken striation.
Fold present over anus.
Vulva slit-like without striae near lateral.
Phasmids distinct.
Can be identified by characteristic esterase pattern.
Male:
Body vermiform, tapering anteriorly, bluntly rounded posteriorly.
Length variable.
Head high, rounded, continuous with body contour.
Stylet robust, knobs smooth, rounded–pear shaped and sloping backwards.
Lateral field with four incisures, aerolated.
Metacorpus oval shaped, with large valve.
Excretory pore position variable, long excretory canal.
Sex reversal occurs and then males have two testes.
Spicules are thick with strongly ridged shaft, blade tip curved ventrally.
Gubernaculum distinct.
Tail short, phasmids at level of cloaca.
Source: CABI, 2013
Reported median body size for this species (Length mm; width micrometers; weight micrograms) - Click:
Tropical species first reported by Whitehead (1968) in Tanzania. Discovered later in South America, including Brazil and Chile.
Also known from South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.
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Severe galling on grape roots in Chile; 65% of vineyard acreage considered infested.
Sedentary endoparasite.
Feeding site establishment and development typical of genus.
Type Host: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Grape, kiwi, potato.
Ecophysiological Parameters:
Sedentary endoparasites.
Female body ruptures root cortex and may protrude with the egg mass on the root surface.
Chromosome number 2n=36-44. The large number, and variability of chromosome number, is typical of species reproducing by obligate mitotic parthenogenesis. (Carneiro et al., 2004; Subbotin et al., 2021).
Host Plant Resistance, Non-hosts and Crop Rotation alternatives:
CABI 2013. Invasive Species Compendium. www.cabi.org
Carneiro R.M.D.G., Randig O., Almeida M.R.A., Gomes A.C.M.M., 2004. Additional information on Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead, 1968 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae), a root-knot nematode parasitising kiwi fruit and grape-vine from Brazil and Chile. Nematology, 6:109-123.
Monteiro, J.M.S., J.E. Cares, V.R. Correa, J.B. Pinheiro, V.S. Mattos, J.G.P. Silva, A.C.M.M. Gomes, M.F.A. Santos, P..Castagnone-Sereno and R.M.D.G. Carneiro 2017. Meloidogyne brasiliensis Charchar & Eisenback, 2002 is a junior synonym of M. ethiopica Whitehead, 1968.. Nematology 19:655-669.
Subbotin, S.A. Palomares-Rius, J.E., Castillo, P. 2021. Systematics of Root-knot Nematodes (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae). Nematology Monographs and Perspectives Vol 14: D.J. Hunt and R.N. Perry (eds) Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands 857p.
Whitehead, A.G. 1968. Taxonomy of Meloidogyne (Nematodea: Heteroderidae) with descriptions of four new species. Trans. Zoological Soc. London. 31: 263-401