Some species of Longidorus from Iran

Plant parasitic nematodes of Dorylaimida occur only in the Longidoridae. Longidorus is one of important genera in this family, which it,s species are parasite on many plants and act as a vector for some of plant viruses. From 1999 to 2001, more than 250 soil samples were collected from several localities of Iran. Nematodes were extracted, fixed (De Grisse, 1969) and mounted on glass slides in dehydrated glycerine. Using a light microscope equipped with a drawing tube, morphological and anatomical characteristics of nematodes were studied, body parts were drawn, measurements were carried out and the species of nematodes were determined. Species were compared with the original descriptions and variations reported from other regions of the world. Differences and similarities of the species with main description and closely related species were discussed. Three species, Longidorus africanus, L. iranicus and L. pisi were identified the latter species is first record for Iran. L. africanus were mainly occurred in southern regions while L.iranicus were mostly found in northern areas.