The occurrence and distribution of longidorid nematodes in Latin America

The occurrence and distribution in Latin America of nematode species belonging to the Longidoridae are presented. Fifty-four nominal valid species, one species inquirenda, and one new, undescribed species are reported from 24 countries/territories in the region. In many of these countries, and in another five Latin America countries, longidorid nematodes have been recorded but identified only to generic level. The genera recorded are: Longidoroides, Longidorus, Paraxiphidorus, Xiphidorus and Xiphinema. Longidoroides, Longidorus and several Xiphinema species probably represent introductions to the region whereas Paraxiphidorus, Xiphidorus and other Xiphinema species are considered indigenous. Nepoviruses have been associated with an unidentified Longidorus in Peru, Xiphinema americanum sensu lato nematodes have been associated with tobacco and tomato ringspot nepoviruses in Peru and Chile, respectively, and X. index has been associated with grapevine fanleaf nepovirus in vineyards in Argentina and Chile. Longidorid nematodes have been reported associated with a wide range of cultivated and uncultivated plants in Latin America. It is concluded that research on longidorid nematodes and their associated nepoviruses should be coordinated in the region to develop and establish control strategies to reduce the detrimental impact on agriculture and horticulture of these nematodes and associated nepoviruses.