Observations of All Postembryonic Stages of Xiphinema coxi coxi (Nematoda: Longidoridae)

Abstract

Initial morphometric data and descriptions of males and the four juvenile stages of Xiphinema coxi coxi Tarjan, 1964 collected from soil about the roots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at Gainesville, Florida, and from a greenhouse microplot at Fayetteville, Arkansas, are given. Males were similar morphometrically and in shape to females and had 3-5 preanal supplements. The four juvenile stages were easily separated by differences in body size, odontostyle, and replacement odontostyle lengths. Supplemental morphometric data for females are given along with scanning electron microscope ultrastructural information. Three X. coxi coxi females with abnormal gonad development are reported.

Keywords: Medicago sativa L.; Xiphinema coxi coxi; Z-organ; alfalfa; light microscopy (LM); morphology; scanning electron microscopy (SEM); ultrastructure.