Molecular polymorphism and phylogenetic relationship in some Meloidogyne spp.: application to the taxonomy of Meloidogyne.

Proteins and various isozymes were investigated by direct analysis of single specimens in order to check molecular genetic variability, which is not rare in Meloidogyne species in spite of parthenogenetic reproduction. Variability was found in esterases, ocglycerophosphate, malate dehydrogenases, and some other proteins. Other loci appear monomorphic in the genus (for example, catalase), Distinct pools of genes are in a relative accordance with the common described species. Characteristic electrophoretograms are given for M. arenaria, M. javanica, M. incognita, M. hapla, and M. naasi, and it appears that nonspecific esterases are a useful tool supplementing morphology for specific characterization. Because the biochemical evidence is less subjective than the morphological, we believe it is more reliable.