Six First Reports of Pin Nematodes from Portugal, with an Update of the Systematics, Genetic Diversity, and Phylogeny of the Genus Paratylenchus (Nematoda: Tylenchulidae)

Pin nematodes (Paratylenchus spp.) currently comprise 132 species of polyphagous plant ectoparasites with at least seven that are pathogenic emphasizing the need for correct identification to establish an appropriate management strategy. Sequences highly conserved regions ribosomal and mitochondrial RNA genes a powerful species-level diagnostic tool within Tylenchulidae. A nematological survey was conducted from 2019 2021 in commercial vineyards distributed four major wine-producing Central South Portugal. Nine populations Paratylenchus spp. were isolated rhizosphere grapevines characterized morphological data molecular phylogenetic analysis using two rRNA (D2–D3 expansion segments 28S, partial 18S) region COI mtRNA gene. Contrasting hypotheses provided rapid detection six species, specifically P. goodeyi, hamatus, pedrami, tenicaudatus, variabilis, veruculatus. Bayesian inference (BI) trees these markers established relationships underscore importance genomic accurate pin nematode level. To our knowledge, this is first report Portugal, extending geographical distribution Mediterranean Basin, record P.variabilis, veruculatus tenicaudatus parasitizing grapevine.