Morphology and DNA sequence data reveal the presence of the potato cyst nematode Globodera ellingtonae in the Andean region.

LAX, P.; RONDAN DUEÑAS, J.C.; FRANCO, J.; GARDENAL, C.N.; DOUCET, M.E.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

UNIV AMSTERDAM

Año: 2014

1383-4517

Potato cyst nematodes, G. rostochiensis and G. pallida, are the most economically important nematode pests of potatoes worldwide and are subject to strict quarantine regulations in many countries. Globodera ellingtonae was recently described in Oregon (USA), with its host-plant in the field being still unknown. Roots of Andean potato from the North of Argentina have been found attacked by this nematode, providing further evidence that this is a potato cyst nematode species, along with G. pallida and G. rostochiensis. New information about morphological, biological and molecular aspects of G. ellingtonae is provided for diagnostic purposes. The Argentine population showed morphological differences with respect to specimens from Oregon; therefore, new diagnostic characters were defined to differentiate G. ellingtonae from its closest species. The Hsp90 gene was shown to be a good diagnostic marker for discriminating the three PCN species. The importance of the detection of G. ellingtonae on potato in the Andean region is not restricted to a regional level, since the nematode is also present in USA. This species would pose a serious problem to the crop, especially when infected tubers are used as seeds. The distribution in the South American Andes is likely to extend to further areas than currently known because of the passive transport of cysts. There is a need to evaluate the possible damage it may cause to the potato crop. Morphological and molecular diagnoses conducted in this work provide fundamental information for the protection of potato crop not only in those countries in the Americas where the species has already been detected but also worldwide.