Pedram, M; Pourjam, E; Ye, W; Atighi, MR; Robbins, RT; Ryss, A
Bursaphelenchus mazandaranense sp. n., recovered from an old dead fallen trunk of a beech tree, Fagus orientalis, is described and illustrated based on molecular and morphological characters. A combination of morphological characters, such as having three incisures, seven caudal papillae in males, a conoid and ventrally bent female tail, the presence of a small vulval flap, and the excretory pore posterior to the metacorpus, all indicate that the new species is a member of the B. hofmanni group. The placement of the new species in this group is corroborated by molecular phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal DNA sequences. The new species has unique molecular sequences of SSU and the LSU D2D3 expansion segments, separating it from all known species of the genus, but place it close to B. hofmanni and B. pinasteri. Bursaphelenchus mazandaranense sp. n., is characterized by females 457-701 mu m in length, a stylet length of 11.5-13.0 mu m, a pointed ventrally bent tail, a small vulva] flap, the body smooth at the vulva region, and post uterine sac 1.5-2.5 longer than body width at vulva region. Males of the new species have spicules 12.0-13.5 mu m long rounded dorsally, 1 pm long posteriorly bent condylus, 2 mu m long rostrum and a distinct cucullus. This new species can be separated from B. hofmanni by its 1 mu m long posteriorly bent condylus (vs almost parallel to shaft axis, and 3 mu m long), a flat vulval region (vs dome shaped) and spicules rounded dorsally (vs angular). It can be separated from B. pinasteri by a posteriorly located excretory pore (73-91 vs 52-70 mu m distance from the anterior end), females with anterior and posterior lip of anus at the same level (vs with a sudden constriction after anus) and posteriorly bend condylus (vs prominent and rounded end). Differences with other members of hofmanni group namely B. ratzeburgii, B. sachsi, B. corneolus and B. curvicaudatus are also discussed. This is the first report of the occurrence of the genus Bursaphelenchus in Iran.