The sheath nematodes belonging to the superfamily Hemicycliophoroidea are unique amongst all plant parasitic nematodes known to man due to the presence of an extra cuticular covering or sheath over the inner cuticle and body of all juvenile and adult life stages. These plant-parasitic nematodes include species of agricultural and quarantine importance. In Systematics of the Sheath Nematodes of the Superfamily Hemicycliophoroidea John Chitambar and Sergei Subbotin provide a detailed review of the taxonomy and diagnosis of the superfamily, its member genera and 153 related species based on their morphological and molecular analyses, as well as a further understanding of the relationships within the superfamily using molecular phylogenetics. In addition, Chitambar and Subbotin also give detailed information on the global distribution, biology, host-parasite relationships and ecology of sheath nematodes.

The sheath nematodes belonging to the superfamily Hemicycliophoroidea are unique amongst all plant parasitic nematodes known to man due to the presence of an extra cuticular covering or sheath over the inner cuticle and body of all juvenile and adult life stages. These plant parasitic nematodes include species of agricultural and quarantine importance. In this book John Chitambar and Segei Subbotin provide a detailed review of the taxonomy and diagnosis of the superfamily, its member genera and 153 related species based on their morphological and molecular analyses, as well as a further understanding of the relationships within the superfamily using molecular phylogenetics.

This book is the first complete illustrated compendium of root-knot nematode species from the genus Meloidogyne including 97 species descriptions with comprehensive diagnoses, information on biology, plant-hosts, pathogenicity, symptoms, distribution and biochemical and molecular diagnostics.

Volume 8 in the series, appearing in two parts, A and B, deals with the systematics of cyst nematodes of the subfamily Heteroderinae. Cyst nematodes are important pathogens causing extensive damage and significant yield loss to many crops in both temperate and tropical regions. Part A presents summarised information on various aspects of morphology, biology, ecology, pathology, biogeography, control measures and diagnostics of these nematodes. Molecular diagnostic tables and comprehensive tabular and dichotomous keys for species identification, together with descriptions of protocols for extraction, light and electron microscopy studies, and molecular diagnostics are also included. The taxonomic section of part A provides diagnoses for six genera, viz., Globodera, Punctodera, Cactodera, Dolichodera, Betulodera and Paradolichodera, and includes descriptions and morphometrics of 30 valid species. The work is illustrated by 101 drawings and photos. The genus Heterodera is mainly covered in part B, complete descriptions and morphometrics of the 80 known valid species being provided and the species illustrated by 159 line drawings and photos. Identification of the species using morphological and molecular techniques is also covered. Each part includes an extensive bibliography.

Volume 8 in the series, appearing in two parts, A and B, deals with the systematics of cyst nematodes of the subfamily Heteroderinae. Cyst nematodes are important pathogens causing extensive damage and significant yield loss to many crops in both temperate and tropical regions. Part A presents summarised information on various aspects of morphology, biology, ecology, pathology, biogeography, control measures and diagnostics of these nematodes. Molecular diagnostic tables and comprehensive tabular and dichotomous keys for species identification, together with descriptions of protocols for extraction, light and electron microscopy studies, and molecular diagnostics are also included. The taxonomic section of part A provides diagnoses for six genera, viz., Globodera, Punctodera, Cactodera, Dolichodera, Betulodera and Paradolichodera, and includes descriptions and morphometrics of 30 valid species. The work is illustrated by 101 drawings and photos. The genus Heterodera is mainly covered in part B, complete descriptions and morphometrics of the 80 known valid species being provided and the species illustrated by 159 line drawings and photos. Identification of the species using morphological and molecular techniques is also covered. Each part includes an extensive bibliography.

Nematode worms - living as parasites of virtually every species of plant and animal, and inhabiting terrestrial, fresh water, and marine habitats - exert a powerful effect on the Earth's biosphere. While nearly 20,000 species have been described, it is estimated that 80,000 to 1,000,000 species of nematodes actually exist. Best known as parasitic disease carriers and crop destroyers, the more abundant free-living (nonparasitic) nematode species play instead a valuable ecological role.

General principles for the phylogenetic systematic of nematodes; Phylogenetic systematics: problems, achievements and its application to the nematoda; Nematoda higher classification as influenced by species and family concepts; The use of the subspecies and the superspecies categories in nematode taxonomy; Cytogenetic aspects of nematode evolution; The use of the female reproductive system in nematode systematics; Observations on spermatozoa in aquatic nematodes; Scanning electron microscopy as a tool in nematode taxonomy; Evolution of plant parasitism in nematodes; Tylenchidae: morphological diversity in a natural, evolutionary group; Phylogeny, historical biogeography and the species concept in soil nematodes; Problems of species delimitation in the genus Xiphinema, with special reference to monosexual species; Taxonomic problems in long-tailed dorylaims; Enzyme polymorphism and the concept of parthenogenetic species exemplified by Meloidogyne; Problems in the classification of Meloidogyne reproducing by mitotic parthenogenesis; Diversity of selected taxa of Globodera and Heterodera and their interspecific and intergeneric hybrids; Three approaches to the status of a species complex, with a revision of some species of Globodera (Nematoda: Heteroderidae); The potential of some immunochemical and biochemical approaches to the taxonomy of potato cyst-nematodes; Phylogenetic relationships in the mermithidae (Nematoda) based on traditional and physiological evidence; Morphology of the genital cone in the nematode family trichostrongylidae and its value as a taxonomic character; The synlophe and species determination of Trichostrongyloidea; Polymorphism in the Trichostrongylidae; Observations on the systematics of ascaridoid nematodes; The systematics of ascaridoid nematodes - a current assessment; Species recognition in human filaroids; The species problem in Trichinella; Taxonomic problems in capillariid nematodes parasitic in cold-blooded vertebrates.

The book describes the basic aspects of nematology, viz., Methodology, Morphology, Systematics and Classification, Biology, Physiology and Ecology. It is designed and written in an explicit manner so that undergraduate students without a nematology background can easily perceive basics of the discipline, and at the same time postgraduate students can get in-depth and up-to-date information on various fundamental and advanced aspects of nematology. The book contains around 80 schematic and natural diagrams.

Plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes are increasingly important in relation to food security, quarantine measures, ecology (including pollution studies), and research on host-parasite interactions. Being mostly microscopic, nematodes are challenging organisms for research. Techniques for Work with Plant and Soil Nematodes introduces the basic techniques for laboratory and field work with plant-parasitic and free-living soil-dwelling nematodes. Written by an international team of experts, this book is extensively illustrated, and addresses both fundamental traditional techniques and new methodologies. The book covers areas that have become more widespread over recent years, such as techniques used in diagnostic laboratories, including computerized methods to count and identify nematodes. Information on physiological assays, electron microscopy techniques and basic information on current molecular methodologies and their various applications is also included.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are recognized as one of the greatest threats to crop production throughout the world. Estimated annual crop losses of $8 billion in the United States and $78 billion worldwide are attributed to plant parasitic nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes not only cause damage individually but form disease-complexes with other microorganisms thereby increasing crop loss. Nematode diseases of crops are difficult to control because of their insidious nature and lack of specific diagnostic symptoms which closely resemble those caused by other plant pathogens and abiotic diseases. Future developments of sustainable management systems for preventing major economical agricultural losses due to nematodes is focused on strategies that limit production costs, enhance crop yields, and protect the environment. This book presents a first compendium and overview for nematode problems and their management across North America. Each chapter provides essential information on the occurrence and distribution of plant parasitic nematodes, their major crop hosts, impact on crop production and sustainable management strategies for each region of the continent including, Canada, Mexico and all states of the USA. For each region, a thematic overview of changes in crop production affected by plant parasitic nematodes and their management strategies over time will provide invaluable information on the important role of plant parasitic nematodes in sustainable agriculture.