Scanning electron microscopy of perineal patterns of three species of Meloidogyne.

The perineal pattern of Meloidogyne graminicola is oval, characterized by the anastomosing of cuticular striae converging, and elevating at the tail terminus. A deep lateral incisure forming a low arch traverses the rounded perineal pattern of Meloidogyne hapla. Punctations at the tail region of M. hapla are not observed with the scanning electron microscope. Minute crosslines invaginate with the vulvar lips of Meloidogyne incognita. Punctate indentations around the anal opening and bordering the lateral sides of the vulvar slit of M. incognita are revealed.