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This book covers all the nematode species (50 genera and 305 species) of the suborder Tylenchina found in Poland. Five new species are described. Species recorded from other countries of similar soil and climatic conditions are also included because these may be found in or introduced into Poland. In this broad treatment of the Polish fauna, the guide may be used for identifying nematodes of most of Europe, with the exception of the Mediterranean basin where the fauna is different.
The morphological concept of species is accepted throughout this book. Although the evolution of nematodes went through considerable physiological diversification, the morphological transformations are relatively small. ln effect the biological or phylogenetic species concepts may not always coincide with the morphological concept. Pathotypes or physiological races are known in most of the species when looked for. Some of these races are genetically isolated and subsequent studies showed discrete morphological differences suggesting different evolutionary trajectories. These findings often resulted in establishing separate species for what were previously known as races or pathotypes. However, such profound studies were conducted only in relation to some species of great economic importance for crop production. The vast majority of nematodes still await critical investigation.
The morphology of Tylenchina is not treated in detail herein, as various textbooks are available. Instead, a glossary of morphological terms used is provided and drawings illustrate the meanings of various terms. This glossary should be consulted in case of doubt of the meaning of the terminology used.
