The occurrence and distribution of longidorid nematodes in Latin America

The occurrence and distribution in Latin America of nematode species belong ing to the Longidoridae are presented. Fifty-four nominal valid species, on e species inquirenda, and one new, undescribed species are reported from 24 countries/territories in the region. In many of these countries, and in an other five Latin America countries, longidorid nematodes have been recorded but identified only to generic level. The genera recorded are: Longidoroid es, Longidonts, Paraxiphidorus, Xiphidorus and Xiphinema. Longidoroides, Lo ngidorus and several Xiphinema species probably represent introductions to the region whereas Paraxiphidorus, Xiphidorus and other Xiphinema species a re considered indigenous. Nepoviruses have been associated with an unidenti fied Longidorus in Peru, Xiphinema americanum sensu lato nematodes have bee n associated with tobacco and tomato ringspot nepoviruses in Peru and Chile , respectively, and X. index has been associated with grapevine fanleaf nep ovirus 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 an d their associated nepoviruses should be coordinated in the region to devel op and establish control strategies to reduce the detrimental impact on agr iculture and horticulture of these nematodes and associated nepoviruses.