Radopholus musicola n. sp., a new pathogenic species from Australia (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae)

Radopholus musicola n. sp. is described from Musa acuminata cv. Williams at Berrimah Research Station, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The new species is distinguished from other species by female lateral lines with deep folds on the outer edge and by males with a uniquely long thin tail (73.6-92.8 mum) having a pointed terminus. Radopholus musicola n. sp. is most similar to R. similis and R. bridgei but males further differ from R. similis by a smaller stylet (8.8-12 vs 12-17 mum) and from R. bridgei by well-developed separated stylet knobs vs tiny or obscure knobs. The rate of reproduction of R. musicola n. sp. is much greater at higher temperatures (>31.5degreesC) than that of R. similis, and some banana cultivars resistant to R. similis are less resistant to R. musicola n. sp. The relevance of previous sequence-based (rDNA) analysis for distinguishing R. musicola n. sp. from R. similis and R. bridgei is discussed.