Descriptions Of Two Novel Bursaphelenchus Species Intercepted From Imported Packaging Wood

Two Bursaphelenchus populations were intercepted from imported packaging wood from the United Arab Emirates and the United States at Tianjing Port. Their morphological characters were described and the molecular characters were analyzed on basis of the partial 18S, ITS and 28S gene sequences of ribosomal DNA. Their status as the two different new species of Bursaphelenchus were confirmed. This study proved to be not only enriched the information of morphological and molecular data for Bursaphelenchus species, but also provided support for nematode identification during plant quarantine of imported packaging wood.The population BS1201 isolated from packaging wood from The United Arab Emirates were characterised by a slim body with three lateral lines. The spicules are relatively small (9.9-13.5μm) with blunt pointed rostrum and rounded distal end with a cucullus. The excretory pore locates behind median bulb by 1-1.5 body diam. The vulva lips distinctly protruded but not formed a vulval flap and V value is 75. The post-uterine sac is short with long of 1/3 vulva to anus distance. The female tail strong ventrally bent and c value 5-6. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the population is closest to B. gerberae and B. rufipennis.The population BS1301 isolated from packaging wood from The United States were characterised by a relatively stout body with three lateral lines. The spicules are relatively small (12.8-15.5μm) with blunt pointed rostrum and rounded distal end with a cucullus. The excretory pore locates behind median bulb by 1.5-2 body diam. The vulva lips distinctly protruded but not formed a vulval flap and V value is 75. The post-uterine sac is long by 60%-75% of the vulva to anus distance. The female tail strong ventrally bent. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the population is closest to B. paraparvispicularis.The population BS1201 and BS1301 belong to the hofmanni group of the genus Bursaphelenchus according to the morphological characters of 3 lateral lines, number and position of caudal papillae, spicule shape and female tail shape. The comparisons of morphology and ITS-RFLP patterns with other members of hofmanni group revealed that these two populations were completely different. The status of these two populations as the new species of genus Bursaphelenchus were confirmed by morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses.