Aglenchus

The genus Aglenchus Andrássy, 1954 belongs to the taxon rich family Tylenchidae Örley, 1880. Compared to most of the Tylenchidae genera, Aglenchus has a small number of known species (only about 10 species are known). The most common species within this genus, with a world-wide distribution, is A. agricola (de Man, 1884) Andrássy, 1954. It was originally described from the Netherlands as Tylenchus agricola by Dr. JG de Man in 1884. It has a short body with fine cuticle annulation and a very long filiform tail with a pointed tip. The amphidial aperature can be found on the labial plate. The stylet is short with well developed knobs. Aglenchus agricola can be found in terrestrial but also in semi-aquatic and aquatic habitats. It is common in grasslands but has also been found on mosses. It is a migratory ectopararsite on roots of grasses and several dicotyledonous plants.         

More pictures of Aglenchus agricola:

Aglenchus agricola: female body overview
Aglenchus agricola: female body overview
Aglenchus agricola: head with amphid slit visible
Aglenchus agricola: head with amphid slit visible

Aglenchus agricola: anterior pharyngeal part
Aglenchus agricola: anterior pharyngeal part
Aglenchus agricola: posterior pharyngeal part
Aglenchus agricola: posterior pharyngeal part
Aglenchus agricola: spermatheca with sperm
Aglenchus agricola: spermatheca with sperm
Aglenchus agricola: lateral field with 3 lines
Aglenchus agricola: lateral field with 3 lines
Aglenchus agricola: bursa and spiculum
Aglenchus agricola: bursa and spiculum
Aglenchus agricola: bursa and spiculum
Aglenchus agricola: bursa and spiculum

(Click on the pictures for an enlargement, ©Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Nematology/Pictures: Hanny van Megen)