LONGIDORUS ISRAELENSIS SP.N. (NEMATODA, DORYLAIMOIDEA), A PARASITE OFCARROT IN ISRAEL

Longidorus israelensis sp.n., a parthenogentic species associated with diseased carrots in Israel, is described. This species is characteris ed by its long body (7.1-9.1 mm), slightly expanded and anteriorly fla ttened head region, amphidial pouches not bilobed, long odontostyle (1 25-135 mu m), and almost hemispherical short tail (36-46 mu m). Also, it has a somewhat unusual arrangement of the oesophageal gland nuclei. Carrots fed upon by L. israelensis sp.n. showed arrested root growth, alternative growth apices and root-tip galling, resulting in deformed and split carrots. The nematode is usually present at 20-40 cm depth in the soil profile but migrates to 40-100 cm depth to survive the hot dry summer period. (C) Orstom/Elsevier, Paris.