Bursaphelenchus gillanii sp. n. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) – a new species of the xylophilus group in packaging wood imported from China
A new Bursaphelenchus species of the xylophilus group was detected in coniferous packaging wood imported with goods from China in 2011. The new species is described herein and compared with other species of the xylophilus group. Bursaphelenchus gillanii sp. n. has a slim body (a = 31 (28-34) and 33 (29-36) in females and males, respectively), c′ = 3.8 (3.2-4.5) and 2.1 (1.7-2.5) in females and males, respectively, a large vulval flap, a 5-7 μm long digitate mucro as a continuation of the female tail, excretory pore at or closely posterior to the median bulb, strongly arcuate spicules, 34 (31-37) μm long as measured along the median line, with prominent pointed rostrum and small cucullus. The ITS-RFLP pattern of the new species obtained by digestion of the PCR product with RsaI, HaeIII, MspI, HinfI and AluI is different from other known Bursaphelenchus species. Results of sequencing the ITS1/2 region demonstrate the close relationship of the new species to B. mucronatus and B. xylophilus.