Morphometrical and molecular characterization of Bursaphelenchus species from Slovenia

The environmental conditions in Slovenia are relatively favourrable for the colonisation and spread of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a very dangerous pathogenic species which was recently identified in Europe in Portugal. To determine the presence of B. xylophilus in Slovenia and to introduce proper measures against its emergence and spread, a survey of Bursaphelenchus species was conducted in Slovenia from 2002 to 2005. Approximately 120 ha of conifer forests in Slovenia were surveyed for the presence of Bursaphelenchus species. In total, 206 wood samples were taken from the conifer forests. B. hofmanni, B. mucronatus were found for the first time in Slovenia, while B. xylophilus was not detected. Additionally, the species Aphelenchoides stammeri which is morphologically very similar to Bursaphelencus was found. All species have been described morphologically and characterized by ITS-RFLP analysis. Sequences of ribosomal DNA for B. hofmanni, B. mucronatus were analysed.