Molecular confirmation of Xiphinema italiae Meyl, 1953 (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from the Slovak Republic

Identification of the nematode Xiphinema italiae relies mainly on time-consuming morphological and morphometrical studies. A polymerase chain reaction protocol has been used for the reliable and specific identification of X. italiae. Moreover, four independently evolving molecular markers (cox1- cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1; ITS2-second internal transcribed spacer; 18S gene and D2/D3 expansion segments of 28S gene) were amplified and sequenced in both directions.