The damage potential of pin nematodes, Paratylenchus Micoletzky, 1922 sensu lato spp. (Nematoda: Tylenchulidae)

The genus Paratylenchus sensu lato includes members belonging to the genera Paratylenchus sensustricto (species with 10 to 40µm long stylet), Gracilacus (species with 40-120µm long stylet), Gracilpaurus (species having cuticular punctuations) and Paratylenchoides (species having sclerotized cephalic framework). Long stylet species become swollen and feed as sedentary parasites of roots, some feed from cortex of perennial host roots, but most species feed as sedentary ectoparasites on roots. In other words, species with stylet shorter than 40µm commonly feed on epidermal cells, whilst the species with longer stylet nourish primarily in cortical tissue, without penetration into the plant tissue. In general, pin nematodes, Paratylenchus spp. are parasites of higher plants with a higher abundance in the rhizosphere of trees and perennials. In present review, an attempt is made to document published information on the pathogenicity and damage potential of the pin nematodes to plants.