M.e. Morphological Identification
Morphological characteristics of female, male and second-stage juveniles - adapted from Yang and Eisenback, 1983
The original description was made from a population infecting pacara earpod trees (Enterolobium contortisiliqum) on Hainan Island in China.
Female
Body white, pear-shaped to globular, variable in size, with prominent neck variable in size. Head region not distinctly set off from neck. Position of excretory pore variable, often near metacorpus. Cuticular body annulations become progressively finer posteriorly. Stylet slender; conical portion slightly curved dorsally, tapering toward tip; cylindrical shaft, posterior end often enlarged. Knobs set off from shaft, distinct from each other, and divided longitudinally by groove so that each knob appears as two. Dorsal esophageal gland orifice (DEGO) 4-6 µm from base of stylet knobs. Esophageal gland comprised of one large uninucleate dorsal gland lobe; two small, nucleated subventral gland lobes usually posterior to dorsal gland lobe but variable in position, shape and size; all three lobes overlap intestine ventrally. Perineal pattern usually oval, with coarse and smooth striae; dorsal arch moderately high to high, often rounded, nearly square in some specimens. Lateral lines not distinct. Perivulval region generally free of striae; striae may occur on lateral sides of vulva. Striae on ventral area of pattern generally finer and smoother. Tail tip visible; phasmidial ducts large.
Right: Drawings of females of Meloidogyne enterolobii n. sp. A) Anterior portion (lateral). B-F) Outlines of whole specimens (lateral). G-I) Perineal patterns. From Yang and Eisenback 1983.
Male
Body translucent white, vermiform, tapering at both ends. Tail end more rounded than anterior end, twisting through 90° in heat-killed specimens. In lateral view, head cap high and rounded, head region only slightly set off from body. Lateral field begins near level of stylet knobs as two incisures; two additional incisures start near level of metacorpus; lateral field areolated, encircles tail. Stylet robust; cone straight, pointed; opening located several micrometres from tip. Shaft cylindrical; knobs large, rounded, distinctly set off from shaft; in some specimens each knob is divided longitudinally by groove so that each knob appears as two but not as pronounced as in female. Procorpus distinct; metacorpus elongate, oval with enlarged cuticular lumen lining. Gland lobe variable in length, with two nuclei. Excretory pore far from anterior end, terminal duct long. Hemizonid 2-4 annules anterior to excretory pore. One or two testes, usually outstretched. Spicules arcuate, with rounded base, single tip. Gubernaculum short and simple. Tail short and rounded. Phasmids small, pore-like, at level of cloaca.
Left: Drawings of males of Meloidogyne enterolobii n. sp. A) Esophageal region (lateral). B-C) Head region (lateral). D) Lateral field near mid-body. E) Tail (lateral). From Yang and Eisenback 1983.
Second–Stage Juvenile (J2)
Body translucent white, vermiform, rather long (mean 436.6 µm), tapering at both ends with very long, narrow tail. Anterior end truncate; head region only slightly set off from body. Lateral field beginning near level of procorpus as two lines; near metacorpus third line begins and shortly splits making four lines, running entire length of body before gradually decreasing to two lines which end near hyaline tail terminus, irregularly areolated. In light microscopy, stylet delicate; cone straight, narrow, sharply pointed; shaft becomes slightly wider posteriorly; knobs large, rounded, separate from each other, set off from shaft. Distance from base of stylet to dorsal esophageal gland orifice long. Procorpus faintly outlined; metacorpus oval with enlarged lumen lining; isthmus not clearly defined. Gland lobe variable in length, with three equal-sized nuclei; overlaps intestine ventrally. Excretory pore distinct; hemizonid 1-2 annules anterior to excretory pore, 3-5 annules long; cuticle slightly raised over hemizonid. Tail very thin (mean 56.4 µm); annulations increase in size, become more irregular posteriorly. Hyaline tail terminus clearly defined; tail tip broad, bluntly rounded. Rectum dilated. A few fat droplets may occur in hyaline tail terminus. Phasmids small, difficult to observe, located posterior to anus.
Right: Drawings of second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne enterolobii n. sp. A) Esophageal region (lateral). B) Head region (lateral). C) Head region (ventral). D) Lateral field near mid-body. E-F) Tail (lateral). G) Tail (ventral). From Yang and Eisenback 1983.
For identification purposes, nematodes need to be extracted from root or soil samples. Samples can be processed for identification in a plant diagnostic clinic or nematology assay lab.
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