Host Affinity of Nematode Species of the Genus Aphelenchoides

Aphelenchoides are commonly known as foliar nematodes. Information on host diversity and host taxonomic affiliation revealed that out of 23 nematode species11were monophagous, and of these 70 % species preferred dicotyledons. All the monophagous species had GAI value of 1.000. Polyphagous species were species specific. However, generalized picture revealed that 69.71, 14.86 and 15.43 % plant species were accepted as host from dicotyledons, monocotyledons and others (non-angiosperms), respectively. A. cibolensis was exclusively feeding on non-angiosperms (ferns, junipers, pines). A fragariae showed greater affiliation to dicot-herbaceae and indicated 3 possible evolutionary lineages which contributed host taxonomic affinity in the range of 70 to 86 %.