Aphelenchoididae nematodes in a centennial Pinus pinea tree, and a review of Bursaphelenchus species from this host

Abstract

A “monumental” centennial Pinus pinea L. tree of public interest with severe wilting symptoms was felled in Coimbra, Portugal. A survey was carried out to detect Aphelenchoididae nematodes (including Bursaphelenchus spp.) in the tree tissues. Nematode isolates were characterised/identified based on species-specific morphological characteristics, and on molecular data. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was not detected. Three other Bursaphelenchus species (B. arthuri, B. fungivorus and B. sexdentati Type II) were found co-occurring in the tree. Other Aphelenchoididae nematodes, Potensaphelenchus stammeri and Cryptaphelenchus sp., were also identified. An annotated checklist of Bursaphelenchus spp. on P. pinea is also presented, demonstrating the wide variability of Bursaphelenchus species in this host. These results have shown that centennial wilted pine trees can be reservoirs of nematode diversity impacting forest health.

Keywords

• nematode diversity
• stone pine
• urban tree