Taxonomy, evolution and phylogeny of the genus Radopholus (didelphic species) according to morphological data, with a key to species (Nematoda: Tylenchida)

Abstract

Present taxonomic status and synonymy of the didelphic species of the genus Radopholus Thorne are considered. A monoentry polytomous key to Radopholus is presented, as well as the rows of characters and a matrix of species and characters which were used for the phylogenetic analysis in the PAUP package. Phylogenetic tree of the genus includes four main species groups (clusters); all the species of the Indo-Asian origin (not inhabiting Australia and Oceania) form a separate monophyletic branch. Basing on the frequency analysis of the character states among the species of the genus, the conclusions on the main morphological adaptations of Radopholus are drawn.