Description of some plant parasitic nematodes from fruit orchards of West Azerbayjan, Iran

In order to identification of plant parasitic nematodes associated with plants in fruit orchards of West Azerbaijan province, Iran, a survey was conducted during 2011 and 2012. Nematodes were extracted from soil and root samples by using centrifugal-flotation and Whitehead''s tray, transferred to glycerin and mounted in permanent slides. Morphological and morphometrical characters of the specimens were analyzed and measurated. As a result, 26 species belonging to 21 different genera of tylenchids (Tylenchomorpha, Nematoda) were identified that are presented. Mesocriconema surinamense and Pratylenchoides crenicauda are reported for the first time from Iran. Iranian population of Psilenchus aestuarius is also illustrated here. M. surinamense ischaracterized by having a disk like head originated fromlarge submedian lobes of lip region and morphometic characters. P. crenicauda is the type species of the genus Pratylenchoides and distinguished by areolated lateral lines on the tail, short pharyngeal overlap and position of pharyngeal glands. P. aestuarius is characterized by rounded and smooth head, presence of post anal intestinal sac in both sexes and several morphometric characters.