Bursaphelenchus abietinus sp n. (Nematoda : Parasitaphelenchidae) associated with fir bark beetles (Pityokteines spp.) from declining silver fir trees in Austria

During 1997 and 1998, specimens of an undescribed Bursaphelenchus species w ere recovered from approximately 33 to 50% of each of a hundred Pityokteine s spinidens, P. vorontzowi and P. curvidens (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) fir ba rk beetles collected in the Bludenz region, Austria. Bursaphelenchus abieti nus sp. n., is relatively small (L = 594 to 632 mu m in males and females, respectively) with a delicate stylet (12 to 13 mu m), a low 'a' value (28 t o 29), small spicules (13 mu m), and a small bursa shaped like a two or thr ee pointed shovel on the tail end. The moderately bent spicules have a narr ow, high condylus and a blunt rostrum. Bursaphelenchus abietinus sp, n. is most similar to B. corneolus, B. wilfordi, B. hylobianum, B. fungivorus and B. hellenicus from which it differs by having differently shaped spicules and female tail terminus, relatively short post-uterine branch, morphometri cs and from B. hellenicus by the number of caudal papillae.