Integrative taxonomic approach and molecular phylogeny for identification of needle nematode species infesting grapevine soils in Portugal.

Abstract

“Needle” (Longidorus spp.) nematodes are polyphagous root ectoparasites causing severe damage to plants by their direct feeding, and in addition some species can transmit plant viruses. In order to establish the species diversity of the genus Longidorus in central-Western Portugal and its distribution, we sampled several vineyards in the Lisbon wine regions from 2015 to 2017 during the spring and autumn.. An integrative taxonomic approach based on the combination of morphometric and morphological characterizations with molecular analysis using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences from ITS regions and D2–D3 expansion segments of the 28S gene were used for species delimitation and identification. As results, two needle species morphologically similar, L. vinearum and L. vineacola, were found parasitizing the rhizosphere of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). In this study, L. vinearum is the most frequently found species.