ECOLOGY AND PATHOGENICITY OF THE HOPLOLAIMIDAE (NEMATA) FROM THE SAHELIAN ZONE OF WEST-AFRICA .3. SCUTELLONEMA-CLATHRICAUDATUM WHITEHEAD, 1959

The distribution of Scutellonema clathricaudatium in West Africa, the biotic and abiotic factors affecting its multiplication rate and its p athogenicity to peanut and millet are studied. This species appeared t o be adapted to the climatic conditions of both semi-arid and rainy tr opics of West Africa. No pathogenic effects of the nematode were recor ded on peanut and millet. Since males have occurred during the laborat ory experiments and ''vaginal glands'' (in fact the constrictor muscle of the vagina) are present in this species, the taxonomic relationshi ps between three closely related species, Scutellonema bradys, S. cave nessi and S. clathricaudatum, need to be re-examined.