Summary Root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne are major plant pathogens that induce specialised feeding sites in roots, causing severe yield losses in rice. Meloidogyne graminicola forms galls containing multinucleated giant cells that act as metabolic sinks, but the proteomic changes underlying this process remain poorly understood. Here, we present the first comprehensive proteomic analysis of rice galls induced by M. graminicola at 7 days post-inoculation using data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry. Differential expression analysis identified over 2400 proteins with significant abundance changes between galls and non-infected roots. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed extensive reprogramming in gall tissue, including upregulation of pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, cell wall remodelling, and proteasome function, alongside suppression of immune-related proteins. Differential detection analysis highlighted gall-specific proteins involved in sucrose hydrolysis and monosaccharide transport, supporting the role of giant cells as strong metabolic sinks. Comparative analysis with RNA-seq datasets uncovered substantial post-transcriptional regulation, particularly for defence-related genes, suggesting mechanisms of translational suppression or targeted protein degradation. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular strategies employed by M. graminicola to manipulate host metabolism and immunity and underscore the added value of integrating proteomics with transcriptomic studies.

Summary Crop rotation is a widely recommended strategy for sustainable management of plant-parasitic nematodes. However, the ecological adaptability of Rotylenchulus reniformis raises questions about its long-term suppression under different cropping systems. This study evaluated how soybean and maize affect the population density and vertical distribution of R. reniformis in a tropical no-till system. Nematode densities were quantified in soybean and maize fields and compared with fallow soil across two phenological stages (80 and 140 days after planting) and two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm). Soybean markedly increased R. reniformis densities and promoted vertical displacement from the surface to the subsurface layer over the crop cycle. Maize maintained lower densities that were statistically similar to fallow soil, although modest increases at 140 days after planting indicate that the crop does not fully suppress nematode persistence. These findings demonstrate that R. reniformis responds strongly to soybean but can persist under maize, highlighting the need for rotational strategies that consider both host suitability and depth distribution.

Summary Potato cyst nematodes cause significant yield losses in potato crops worldwide. Trap cropping with non-host solanaceous species offers a sustainable alternative to chemical control by inducing nematode hatching without supporting lifecycle completion. However, trap crop efficacy is often limited by poor establishment under nutrient-deficient conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, known to enhance plant growth through improved nutrient acquisition, may strengthen trap crop performance. This study investigated whether AM fungi colonise Solanum trap crops ( S. chenopodioides and S. scabrum ) and assessed their impact on Globodera pallida suppression. Both plant species were colonised by AM fungi, resulting in increased root biomass. In sterile and field soils, AM fungal inoculation significantly enhanced the ability of trap crops to reduce G. pallida populations compared to AM-free plants. Furthermore, root leachates from AM-colonised trap crops induced greater expression of the nematode hatching gene Gp-nep-1 , suggesting amplified hatch stimulation. These findings demonstrate that AM fungi improve both growth and biological efficacy of Solanum trap crops, positioning AM-enhanced trap cropping as a potential strategy for integrated G. pallida management.

Summary The soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines , is a major pest in soybean cultivation. Identifying and quantifying nematodes can be achieved through probe-based real-time PCR, and two sets of primers/probes have been developed to target H. glycines . However, we found that one set showed low species specificity, and the other showed significant variations in Ct values among H. glycines populations, potentially leading to inaccurate quantification. Therefore, for more reliable identification and quantification, we developed a novel primer/probe set based on the H. glycines mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. The novel primer/probe set amplified DNA of all tested H. glycines populations but not that of the other tested species. In addition, there were no significant differences in Ct values among the tested H. glycines populations, indicating accurate quantification across populations using a fixed standard curve. The detection sensitivity of the novel primer/probe set was higher than or comparable to that of the existing primer/probe sets. The novel primer/probe set thus facilitates reliable identification and quantification of H. glycines , supporting decision-making for the appropriate control of H. glycines .

Summary The wood-inhabiting nematodes of the family Aphelenchoididae are part of a transmission disease association of a beetle vector and pathogenic fungi that causes economic damage to forestry worldwide. In this review the bark beetle association is analysed as the tripartite symbiotic community and a part of the wood-colonising biome that includes also the infected tree community. In the biome besides of the phoresy of blue-stain fungi and nematodes by their beetle hosts, there are mutualistic interactions of fungi and bark beetles, and the parasitic relationships of nematodes with the xylobiont fungi and plant host. Using the strength of the symbiotic adaptations of partners and phylogenetic data, a hypothesis has been put forward about the origin of the symbiotic system from two ancestral microbiomes (nematode-fungus-plant and vector-fungus-plant) with three symbionts in the final biome. For the relatively little-studied relationships of the entomochoric nematodes and fungi, two experimental methods are proposed to study the questions: i ) whether the propagative generations of beetle vectored nematodes feed preferably on fungi inoculated by the same bark beetle; ii ) whether some pathogenic xylobiont fungi may be obligatory vectored by the entomochoric nematodes.

Summary During a nematology survey in the city of Nowshahr, Mazandaran province, northern Iran, a new species of the genus Aphelenchoides , A. angustispiculatus n. sp. was recovered from a rotten wood sample and was described and illustrated herein on the basis of morphological, molecular and morphometric data. It is mainly characterised by having a slim and slender body (a = 42-57 in females, 41.5-50.5 in males) and spicules typically narrow (1.5-1.7 μ m thick at maximum) and small (9 μ m along the mid-arc line). The new species is further characterised by female body length 300-426 μ m, cephalic region continuous with the body, stylet very thin and small, 6-7 μ m with small basal knobs, lateral fields with three incisures, excretory pore between median bulb and nerve ring, postvulval uterine sac ca 5.5 times vulval body diameter and female tail ventrally bent, dorsally convex, ventrally concave with finely rounded end, sometimes with slight depression at tip in some specimens, never bearing an offset mucron. The new species belongs to group 1 in the intra-genus grouping proposed by Shahina and was morphologically comparable with similar species, namely A. curiolis , A. microstylus , A. hypotris , A. montanus and A. conimucronatus by similarities in size of stylet, number of incisures in lateral fields and spicules measurements. The molecular phylogenetic analyses based on small and partial large subunit (SSU and LSU D2-D3) rDNA were performed and the resulted topologies were discussed.

Summary Helicotylenchus vignae n. sp., discovered in Shanxi province, north China, was described using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and molecular data. This new species is characterised by having females 581-679 μ m long, a hemispherical lip region with 5-6 annuli, stylet 24.5-29 μ m long, basal knobs rounded, dorsal esophageal gland orifice 5-7 μ m long, lateral field with four incisures, overlapping intestine ventrally, excretory pore located just posterior to the hemizonid, vulva slightly posterior to mid-body, reproductive system amphidelphic, empty spermatheca, tail convex-conoid, phasmid opening relatively small and 5-6 annuli anterior to the anus, and absence of males. In addition, phylogenetic relationships of the recovered populations were analysed using sequences of the near full length small subunit (SSU), D2-D3 segments of large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes. Molecular phylogenies in combination with species delimitation, supported the distinctiveness of Helicotylenchus vignae n. sp.

Summary Two known species of the genus Nothacrobeles , N. abolafiai and N. sonorensis , are described from xeric areas in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula: the Tabernas Desert and Salinas de Cabo de Gata, respectively. Nothacrobeles abolafiai is characterised by having females with 0.44-0.51 mm long, lateral fields with three incisures, labial probolae with bifurcate and smooth prongs, lips with dentate margins, primary axils with two guard processes, pharynx with a subcylindrical metacorpus, tail conical with a rounded tip, and male unknown. Nothacrobeles sonorensis is characterised by having females with 0.33 mm long, lateral fields with three incisures, labial probolae with bifurcate and smooth prongs and bearing one long tine directed backwards, lips with dentate margins, primary axils with two guard processes, pharynx with swollen and guitar-shaped metacorpus, tail conical with an acute terminus, and male unknown. Both species are now recorded for a second time in the world and for the first time in Spain and Europe. Additionally, the species of the genus Nothacrobeles are listed and arranged in several morphological groups, being considered as a polyphyletic genus. Molecular analysis shows that the sequenced species exhibit high differences. On the other hand, the genus Acrobelinema is restored, and Nothacrobeles hebetocaudatus is transferred to it as A. hebetocaudatum . A new SEM study of N. abolafiai and Chiloplacus tenuis is provided. Also, an updated list of species and a new key to identification species are included.